06 - Lexus - IS220 Traction Control

styer

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if anyone can help me with this. I've a 06 IS220, I've had problems with the traction control over the xmas break on the bad roads. It basically won't turn off. There is a traction control off button, but when I press it, it doesn't do anything. I've checked the manual and it says nothing about any condition the car has to be in to turn it off. It just says to press the button. Am I missing something?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

samhail

ive a 2003 IS200, dont know how big the different is, but when i hit the traction off button a light is displayed to say it is off.

i assume that you want traction off and after hitting this button the traction is still on (have you tested it), in which case its more than just a fault light.

I have a "snow" button aswell which i have no idea what its for.

styer

hey samhaill, when I hit the button no light turns on, which i would expect to happen, while struggling with the icey conditions in the driveway at home I tested to see if it was just a faulty bulb, but no luck. Thanks for the reply.

colm_mcm

Maybe the car needs to be stopped to switch it on. try holding it for few seconds

sundodger5

i have an 09, in mine the car has to be stopped. you press the trc button and the multi function display shows trc off. this goes off the display after a couple of seconds. no light stays on.

Anan1

sundodger5 wrote: »

i have an 09, in mine the car has to be stopped. you press the trc button and the multi function display shows trc off. this goes off the display after a couple of seconds. no light stays on.

I'm very surprised to hear that you can turn off the TC without leaving a warning light on the dash.

-Chris-

Not sure about the Lexus, but in an Audi you can turn off the traction control at stop/low speed, but once you exceed 30KMph (IIRC) it'll turn back on again.
They'll let you turn off TC to get you off snow/sand, but once you're driving "properly" again they force it back on.

Is the Lexus subject to the same type of thinking?

colm_mcm

I thought the older Lexus IS220d's and IS250s had a light that stayed on, but maybe the newer post-facelift ones are different.

styer

Thanks for the replies, I tried it with the car stopped, no joy, possibly just a faulty switch or something along those lines. I take it its easier to drive on the bad roads with it off, especially if you get stuck?

samhail

err did it stop ? or did it jutter to a stop ?
i dont know if you know... the traction control is when the wheels start skidding the TRAC will make it brake several times for better control

samhail

i stand corrected, thank you.

PADRAIC.M

on the 2006 220d from that year on engine running, car stopped, press it and it should put light on the dash trc off, then once you go over 40kph it comes back on, after that maybe the switch is not connected, the panel it is in just pulls out enough to check if you wanna check.

colm_mcm

Here's hoping someone didn't disconnect the bulb to disguise another problem. does the light come on when you start the car?

styer

hey colm, the light comes on when i start the car of when I go into a skid or the Trac control kicks in. haven't checked to see if the switch is disconnected yet, i'll do that this evening. Thanks again!

colm_mcm

THe car has VSC and TRC, they're seperate lights on the dash. AFAIK there should be a specific TRC OFF light.

styer

Hi Colm, I checked it out last night, there is no specific traction control off light, according to the manual the car with the skid marks behind it comes on when you turn trc control off. Next time I get it serviced I'll get them to check it.

Thanks again!

Anan1

styer wrote: »

Hi Colm, I checked it out last night, there is no specific traction control off light, according to the manual the car with the skid marks behind it comes on when you turn trc control off. Next time I get it serviced I'll get them to check it.

Thanks again!

That's what I would have thought too.

colm_mcm

On the Toyotas there's a TRC off light, thought the IS was the same.

styer

Hy Guys, just realised I never updated with the fix, just incase anyone else had the same problem and did a search. It turned out that it was a loose connection at the switch, was easily fixed in the end.

Thanks for your help :-)