If you’ve found your way to this page, chances are the traction control system in your Honda Accord is on the fritz. Whether it just won’t turn off, it’s flashing, or it’s just not functioning properly, is there something you can do to fix it?
If you’ve noticed your TCS light won’t go off, won’t come on or is flashing, it could either indicate a problem with the light or a problem with the control system itself. To test if it’s the light, it is best to reset it. If you believe the problem is the system, then more troubleshooting is in order.
If you’d like to find out what’s causing the problem with your Honda Accord’s traction system, we’ve got you covered. First, we’ll outline how to deal with the problem if it’s just your light. Next, we’ll turn our attention to what to do if your traction system itself is having issues. So come along and let’s see if we can get you on your way!
Honda Accord – TCS Light Won’t Turn On/Off
The Traction Control System (TCS) light on a Honda Accord is a critical indicator, designed to alert drivers about the functioning of their vehicle’s traction control. However, when this light malfunctions, refusing to turn on or off, it can leave drivers puzzled and concerned about their vehicle’s safety.
When the TCS (Traction Control System) light on a Honda Accord won’t turn on or off, it could be due to a malfunctioning wheel speed sensor. This sensor plays a crucial role in the TCS by monitoring the speed of each wheel. If it fails, the TCS light may not function correctly. Replacing the faulty sensor usually resolves this issue and restores the TCS light’s proper operation.
Another reason for TCS light issues could be a faulty ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) module. Since the TCS and ABS systems are often interconnected, problems with the ABS module can affect the TCS light. Diagnosing and repairing or replacing the ABS module can fix the issue.
If your TCS light simply won’t come on or won’t turn off, but your traction is working fine, there’s likely an issue with the connection somewhere. You’ll need to troubleshoot to find it. Try out each of these suggestions and see if your TCS light starts working again:
- Ensure that there is no corrosion on the radiator side of your transmission. This may have led to some connectors being disconnected. Depending on the severity of your problem you’ll either be able to reconnect them yourself or you may have to take it into the shop. But at least you’ll know.
- Make sure that you have sufficient brake fluid. You should check the master brake cylinder fluid as well. Sometimes these fluid issues can cause your car to send you all kinds of strange signals.
- Check to see if there is a problem with your fuses. Mainly if your light just won’t come on. You can find these near the driver side fender well, in the fuse relay box. These fuses are cheap to buy and easy to install yourself.
Honda Accord – Traction Control Light Flashing
Your traction control light flashing is not in and of itself an issue. If it does it briefly (especially around curves or in slippery conditions), this is just to indicate to you that your traction control system is working properly. However, if it continues to flash and doesn’t stop, you’ve probably got a problem with either the light or the system itself.
The first step you want to take is to reset your light and see if that resolves the issue.
Honda Accord – TCS Light Reset
Fortunately, resetting your TCS light is quite simple. Follow these steps to reset your TCS light and see if it resolves the problem:
- First, disable the abs ecu. You can do this by pulling the fuses that go to them.
- Press and hold down the brake pedal
- With the brake held down, turn off the car
- Keep your foot on the brake and turn it back on again.
- If the light is still on and flashing, your problem is more serious. Otherwise if it turns off you’re all set. Just don’t forget to plug the fuses that go to the abs ecu back in.
Honda Accord – How to Turn On/Off Traction Control
Turning on and off your traction control is as simple as the press of a button. Just hold down the traction button until the light on the dash comes on. Vola, you have turned off your traction control system.
To get the traction control to come back on, you just need to drive. The traction control should power back on automatically if you drive over 20 mph.
Copyright protected article by Know My Auto and was first published on Mar 20, 2021. .
If it simply won’t turn off when you try this method, then your problem is likely deeper, and you’ll want to move on to fully disengage the traction system. The next section will explain just how to do that.
Honda Accord – Traction Control Won’t Turn On/Off
If turning off your traction control didn’t work and it won’t seem to go off, the next step is to disengage it fully. While this is a little more complicated than just pressing the traction button, it can still be easily done following these steps:
- Turn the ignition to ON but don’t start the car’s engine
- First, hold down the brake pedal and then press and hold the “trac” button until it turns on and off
- Use the emergency/parking brake and then lift your foot off the pedal brake
- Again press the traction button until it turns on and off
- Hold down the brake pedal again, then press the traction button until it turns on and off one more time.
If you follow all five of those steps you should notice that two lights come on on your dash. One should be solid, and the other should be flashing until you turn off the car again. When you turn it back on the flashing light should have gone off to indicate that the traction control system has been disabled.
Honda Accord – Traction Control Not Working
Not having a traction control system isn’t the end of the world (cars used to not have it), but it can make driving in bad conditions far more dangerous. Especially if you’re used to driving with it. So what do you do when it itself just isn’t working?
If your traction control is not working properly, you’ll need to do some troubleshooting.
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- First, it would be a good idea to try the reset that we suggested above.
- Again, check to make sure that all of the fluid levels in your car are where they should be. Particularly your brake fluid.
- You can open the hood and look for any corrosion around connectors and ensure everything is hooked up properly.
- If nothing is working, check to see if your engine light has come on. If it has you’ll be able to find a code that will likely let you know where the problem is coming from.
Honda Accord – TCS Light and Check Engine Light
When both your TCS and check engine lights come on at the same time it’s usually not a coincidence. Unfortunately, this points to a problem that you might need to bring in people with expertise to fix.
Usually this is caused by either an EGR valve actuator and/or an intake manifold that is clogged with grime and needs to be cleaned. In fact, back in the late 2000’s/early 2010’s Honda did a recall on one of their models for being more prone to this exact problem.
Honda Accord – TCS Light Fix
In case there is a different problem you should still double check what code your check engine light is sending you. Depending on what it is, it may be what’s causing your TCS light not to function properly.
To check this you’ll need a diagnostic tool connector. You simply attach the connector to the onboard diagnostic port (this should be on the driver side under the dash) and look up the code it gives you. That code will correspond to whatever issue is causing your light not to work.
If you don’t feel comfortable finding this code yourself, just know that a lot of small car part stores will actually do it for you for free. Hopefully this does the trick and you’ll be back on the road in no time!
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KnowMyAuto is the sole owner of this article was published on Mar 20, 2021 and last updated on .