TCS/ABS off on 2004 Elantra GT Options

[tapointer]

We just had over 20 inches of snow here in Philly and after I dig my '04 GT out and start driving, the TCS/ABS light comes on and the system is deactivated. This seems to always happen when driving through thick snow. It will usually correct itself in a few days after the snow melts. I had one of the abs sensors replaced a few months ago but not sure if that's causing the problem. Has anyone else had this problem? Could this be another sensor or the abs/tcs module itself? Is this covered under the 100k engine/trans warranty?

[silet]

The sensors are at the hub and any ice build up can cause a problem. ABS/TCS is not part of the powertrain.

[only1db]

that is weird...although i would check to see if any of the wires have been pulled out....if it was a sensor...usually they just GO the hall effect sensor either works or it doesnt...its just a magnet watching the tone wheel.

its also real time....if you turn the car off right away (while your rolling) and turn it back on...with the light go off?

unfortunetly hyundai has to scan it...autozone or advanced auto can not because its a hyundai specific system.

[cobas]

That happens to me too, and I've learned one rather counterintuitive way to avoid it: If it's slippery and the wheels are slipping frequently, push the TCS OFF button and keep the TCS off unless you actually need it. Alternatively, drive extremely gently so the wheels don't slip so much. IMO, the TCS interprets frequent wheelspin as a sensor malfunction and shuts the whole thing down, and that's why the OFF button is there. I've avoided this problem that way for a couple of years now, including the last two blizzards here in MD, and I drove around in both.

This ABS/TCS offline problem in the snow has happened since my '03 was new. I told the dealer about it and they told me to "drive more gently on snow." So there. It may actually be "normal." Keep in mind '01-'06 Elantras with ABS and traction control are rather uncommon and the newer ones don't even offer TCS as an option anymore, so most people with Elantras never see this issue. Look on the bright side: our traction control does have this odd limitation... but at least we have traction control, on a sub-$15,000 car, and it works fairly well when rationed out. It's pretty cool.

[2001VE]

My wifes 2006 Santa Fe has TCS and AWD and I've never experienced any funny snow reactions.

It has the fairly rare 3.5 which has huge power; you have to drive like a nut to even trip the traction control.

I think they have sorted out some of their TCS issues on the newer vehicles.

[only1db]

cobas i drove around in the snow for years with it on....it should not be Malfunctioning for anything...if it sees wheel spin in applys the brakes. its a very simple system. the only quirk i have seen with it...is if it sees that the tps has not backed off (lifting your foot to help control the wheel spin) then it wont work...it does not want to burn up the brakes. but from a start if you ease out of the snow...it works rather well...suprisingly works better with the automatic (like my wifes 04)

so i'm not sure whats wrong witht yours...but its not right.


btw the newer models dont have tcs yes...they have ESC which also incorporates electronic brake force distribution.

[silet]

Cobas is correct on all counts! Both my 03 GT and my 05 GLS have had the TCS stuck in stupid after excessive wheel spin in the snow.

[2001VE]

Button is actually labeled TCS on the dash , maybe more sophisticated features in 2006 than older versions.
Review sites still call it TCS. Other manufacturers have anti rollover --stability control , probably more sensors etc.

Part-Time 4-Wheel Drive
Traction Control Controlled By ABS
Automatic Locking Hubs

[only1db]

the newer ESC came out onthe NF sonata....you have the same setup as the older ones. same sensors and ABS unit.


dont know but its not normal..."TO be stuck in stupid"

[silet]

I know it's not normal, but we have four examples of it happening just in this topic.