Low Trac light??!! Need help please!

**Hi-Po** · 11-05-2008, 01:57 PM

So I was pulling into my girl friends work today, and its a steep incline. Well I thought I just bottomed out hitting my exhaust... it made that horrible *thud* sound.

Well I was driving about 30 minutes later and it went *thud* again. Driving straight, 30 MPH with a state cop behind me lol. I pulled over and couldn't find anything obvious.

Then about an hour later I raced a 05 GTO a few times, few runs to 120, 4 runs. Then I'm driving home, going straight and *THUD!*, way louder that time. Then a few miles from my house, the Low Trac light was going on and off by its own.

More info needed, Yesterday I was screwin off and nailed it from 1st. When I went for 3rd my hand slipped off and I missed third. First time since the first day I bought the damn car. Well, the low trac light came on that fuck up, but I immediately disengaged the clutch. The tranny shifts fine, engine runs strong as ever.

The *THUD* noise is coming from under the center of the dash. What could I have done to cause my low trac light to come on and off when I doing 20 MPH??? I can grab my drive shaft and move it about an inch in each direction with the car in first and parking brake on. Should I be able to do that? If anyone has any ideas on my Low trac light and the loud *THUD*... It would be much appreciated. Thanks,

Ron.

**Mr. Luos** · 11-05-2008, 02:11 PM

First thought....pumpkin.
Second thought, tranny.

Shouldn't be able to move the driveshaft forward and backwards in the car.

Normally the Low Trac light malfunctions are sensor related. It could be a sensor acting up and throwing on the TCS when it shouldn't. Therefore creating stress on the driveline...and making a clunk.

**Hi-Po** · 11-05-2008, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

First thought....pumpkin.
Second thought, tranny.

Shouldn't be able to move the driveshaft forward and backwards in the car.

Normally the Low Trac light malfunctions are sensor related. It could be a sensor acting up and throwing on the TCS when it shouldn't. Therefore creating stress on the driveline...and making a clunk.

NOOO not the pumpkin!!!

I really dont think its the rear, the noise is directly under my feet. Passenger side?
Hopefully not the tranny either.
The light didnt come on until I was about a mile from home, It never came on during/after/before the THUD's. That sensor easy to change?

If you thought I meant the driveshaft moving forward(towards the engine) and backward(towards the rear) I mis-spoke. Im talking about rotation, turning. Should it have any play?

This happened at a bad time, my buddy is coming home from Iraq for 12 days, he has never rode in the TA. Im bummin hard core. So the sensor could be going off and causing this noise?

**Mr. Luos** · 11-05-2008, 02:18 PM

Sensors are a cake walk to change. It is on the backside of the axle hub.

Yes, there is play rotationally in the DS.

**Hi-Po** · 11-05-2008, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

Sensors are a cake walk to change. It is on the backside of the axle hub.

Yes, there is play rotationally in the DS.

Alright, I thought so... I suppose I will go get a sensor tomorrow and change that little fucker. Just weird it only started doing this after pulling into the driveway and bottoming out. That sensor is going to mechanically change something to cause this noise you think?

**Eric1987** · 11-05-2008, 02:34 PM

Well take off ASR and see if it still makes that THUD. That will answer your question. Traction control is off then obviously and if it still makes that same noise it wouldnt be the problem we are thinking of.

**Hi-Po** · 11-05-2008, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by Eric1987

Well take off ASR and see if it still makes that THUD. That will answer your question. Traction control is off then obviously and if it still makes that same noise it wouldnt be the problem we are thinking of.

ASR is Camaro I believe, Also, I dont have a TCS button. Or ASR for that matter. I suppose the only thing I can do is try and swap that sensor out.

Anyone know of a place that might have one in stock? Im sure GM dealership's have them ,but at an insane price. Anyone know if the sensors are the same for TA and Camaro? How about Gen III?

**Mr. Luos** · 11-05-2008, 03:18 PM

Hmmm...

No TCS...but you are getting the Trac Light....
ABS light?

**Hi-Po** · 11-05-2008, 03:52 PM

It says Low Trac.

Abs light has came on before, but not in quite awhile.

So, If I do not have a switch for TCS under radio, but I have a Low Trac light... WTF does this mean?

**NorthwoodDavid** · 11-05-2008, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

Hmmm...

No TCS...but you are getting the Trac Light....
ABS light?

Well i dont have traction control, but when i down shift to 3rd and get on it my low trac light comes on, its lower left of the gauges. abs i believe is on the right...i think

**Eric1987** · 11-05-2008, 03:54 PM

Wtf they made 4th gens without ASR? I thought only the v6's didnt have it...

**Hi-Po** · 11-05-2008, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by NorthwoodDavid

Well i dont have traction control, but when i down shift to 3rd and get on it my low trac light comes on, its lower left of the gauges. abs i believe is on the right...i think

Thats what I thought? My Low Trac light is in the bottom left corner. My ABS is in on the top Left corner.

Low Trac is a yellow light

ABS is a red light.

I have only gotten a Low trac light when I was stupid and missed a shift. I have seen it twice now.

**NorthwoodDavid** · 11-05-2008, 03:59 PM

well my tires arent that good now, so on hiway pulls around 60 65, it breaks loose and the light comes on, i think it only lights up if you spin them in anything other than 1st.

sound right about the locations too

**Hi-Po** · 11-05-2008, 04:10 PM

Hmmmmm ... just took the car out for a quick five minute spin... No clunks, no lights... WTF!!!

**Mr. Luos** · 11-05-2008, 04:26 PM

I think the low trac light comes on (when you don't have ASR/TCS), it is because a tire locks up, not because you loose traction in a forward motion.

**NorthwoodDavid** · 11-05-2008, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

I think the low trac light comes on (when you don't have ASR/TCS), it is because a tire locks up, not because you loose traction in a forward motion.

interesting...kinda hard to believe. But ok, i that makes sence too, ill try it next time it rains, bc then i can just over power it and break them loose instead of downshifting and hammering it