Quirky Traction Control

[jigg60]

This may be a strange question, but has anyone ever had issues with the traction control randomly engaging?
I have a '98 Ti with approximately 125,000 miles - 5 speed. I recently noticed that when accelerating (normally, not aggressively) from a stop or light (typically on an incline), and shifting from 1st to 2nd, or 2nd to 3rd gears, the traction control engages and wants to reduce revs. I haven't done anything different with my wheels, suspension, clutch, etc recently. I am just sort of curious to know if this may be some kind of an indicator that I need to check and/or change rear end fluids - or maybe it's an indicator of a failed or failing sensor.
Does anyone have any similar experiences and/or advice to offer on this situation?
I appreciate any help that I can get.

Thanks.

[ddiorio1313]

I have had some wierd noises that sounds like my traction control aswell, but sometimes I don't see the indicator light come on to tell me it is working. Maybe your tires are rubbing and it is throwing off the traction control. When I get those weird noises alot of the time it is when I am making a turn onto an incline, and only when I am starting off. So, it sounds like we may have a similar concern. If you have 125,000 miles on your car and still have the original shocks, they could be so loose that when you take off and hit an incline that your tires are rubbing somewhere. I have 85,000 and I am thinking about upgrading or replacing the orginal shocks/struts/springs.

[GDB]

Are you sure the traction control is engaging. If you are just losing power then it may be a slipping clutch.

[L84THSKY]

Should I have the ASC off during normal driving? I just bought my 1998 318ti, and the original owner said to always leave it on. But I doubt she knows anyhting other than what she was told.

Thanks
Eric



I have had some wierd noises that sounds like my traction control aswell, but sometimes I don't see the indicator light come on to tell me it is working. Maybe your tires are rubbing and it is throwing off the traction control. When I get those weird noises alot of the time it is when I am making a turn onto an incline, and only when I am starting off. So, it sounds like we may have a similar concern. If you have 125,000 miles on your car and still have the original shocks, they could be so loose that when you take off and hit an incline that your tires are rubbing somewhere. I have 85,000 and I am thinking about upgrading or replacing the orginal shocks/struts/springs.

[ddiorio1313]

It really doesn't matter...if it makes you feel safer than leave it on...Alot of people don't like it cuz you lose the ability to steer with the rear wheels and other things like that. Uhmm...I would probably leave it on in rain and snow, but I have turned it off in the snow before, cuz I couldn't get up a hill when the roads where to slippery, the car would just sit there in one spot. Plus, you can't do a good donut in the snow with it on :) If you do turn it off everytime you restart your car it automatically engages and you will have to turn it off again. I guess a good test would be to turn it off and drive your normal days worth of driving and see if you still keep getting that noise. I would do that over a couple of days and if the noise isn't accuring at leasst you have narrowed down the problem....Good Luck!

[jigg60]

I appreciate all of the advise guys...thanks.
I don't think my tires are rubbing - I haven't heard anything, and they are the same wheels/tires I have run for years (size & offset anyway). I also don't think it is sogt suspension - I've got H&R coilovers all around, and again, I haven't heard any wierd noises.
I am pretty sure that the traction control is engaging - it seems to be most prevalent when shifting into third gear...the traction control indicator light flashes and bogs the power down. When I disengage the ASC, the indicator light stays on and power resumes, and I can drive problem free for hours. I really don't think this is a clutch issue.
I hope it is fine to drive with the ASC off - I am doing it more and more often now. I agree though, it must be off for any wintertime fun. I also prefer to have it off when climbing hills in deep snow, as the ASC seems to interfere more than help there...