4th gen trac control light

[Randomrunner12]

Hey all,

Anyone have an issue where the traction control light on the bottom right of my cluster has decided to come on randomly and stay on. It doesn't flash at me or ding, just silently turns on and stays on.

Whats weird is that if i shut down the truck and start it just like i would any other time it stays off. its like something during a turn or something is causing it to come on when driving and turn on then back off after shutdown.

I haven't had the chance to see if there are any codes but I will have my code reader back tonight and will be able to check when i go driving the truck tomorrow.

if anyone has any advice or anything on where I should check first please let me know. The dealer is not an option as I am tuned and deleted and don't need any issues there.

 

[Wiredawg]

What's really tough with these trucks is the electronics work through electronic modules and sensors. Other than the light, is there any other symptom you can nail down, like, does the truck drive or handle any differently? If not, may not be worth a lot of effort. If so, you may want to invest in OEM service manual so you can work on the truck. It's just a reality of owning a deleted/tuned truck.

One more thing, if no one can help you here, taking it to a dealer may be an option. I had a deleted 09 Ram 4500 with a Smarty I still occasionally had the dealer work on it. I put a lock on my OBDII and had standing orders on file to not perform software updates without me removing the Smarty. I never had any problems. Plus, I have a great dealer.

Anyway, hope this was of some help.

Cheers, Ron

 

[EZeis]

My 18 randomly flashes 4wd shift in progress. Seen it twice so far. Manual lever 4wd. So far the only glitch I've noticed.


Earl

 

[Randomrunner12]

Ron,

Truck doesn't drive any different. So I might just pull a code if there are any and go from there. Always seems to go away when I turn off the truck. I was just wondering if there was a sensor somewhere that could possibly be replaced if that's needed.

I know each wheel has an abs sensor but where is the sensor for the Trac control system?

 

[Wiredawg]

I have OEM Service Manual on my 2017 Ram 5500, but it doesn't have and doesn't offer traction control, so not listed.

I STILL recommend buying the OEM Service Manual for your truck. especially if you don't want to take the truck to the dealer. Be sure to get the bundle with wiring manual if you do.

Sorry can't help any more than that. Good luck.

Cheers, Ron

 

[chainsawopera]

My 18 randomly flashes 4wd shift in progress. Seen it twice so far. Manual lever 4wd. So far the only glitch I've noticed.


Earl

my 15 [manual 4wd lever] shift in progress light would come on when driving in rain.
After I cleaned out wiring connector on T case and filled with waterproof grease problem has never returned. FYI

 

[Wiredawg]

Friend,
I GOOGLED your truck and problem and came up with the following fix for your problem:

"Ehhh, kind of embarrassing. It should have been one of the first things I checked. It was the ground that attaches to the fender from the battery. I checked the connections at the battery and they were good from the beginning. I was looking at the connections where the brake system comes in and saw that it was loose. The brake connections are near the ground cable that's on the fender. It wasn't completely loose, but it wasnt far from it.

I'm hoping that was the problem. I put another 20 miles on it today and it's still good."​

#16 MoparMantis, Jul 2, 2019

I'll add ONE more recommendation to my list: Purchase a quality scan tool WITH ability to clear read AND clear codes.

Hope this helps.

Ron

 

[Randomrunner12]

Man how did you find that. I've been searching for a couple days. I'll have to check that out and see what's going on. Wouldn't surprise me that that's the issue.

Thanks again Ron. I hope my intercooler thread helped people out as well.

 

[Wiredawg]

I GOOGLED "2012 Ram 2500 Traction Control Problem"

Got a few hits, so this appears to be a known issue.

Reading in that whole thread, there were a few codes that were stored.

Anyhoo, please keep us informed... knowledge is power.

Cheers. Ron

 

[Randomrunner12]

Will do man. I'm going to see if there are any codes once I get some time this afternoon. I'll post them up and let you know.

 

[Randomrunner12]

Alright so I found that battery cable. It was in my driver wheel well in front of my upper control arm.

I got maybe a 1/8" turn on it as it wasn't very loose. We will see if that fixes my issues. If not I'll keep searching and report back.

 

[Wiredawg]

Brother, try this... go back take it completely off, get small wire brush, shiney it up, get some dielectric grease and THEN tighten up nicely. Every time you touch a ground, connector, battery clamp, do this and The Force WILL be with you.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Ozymandias]

Ron,

Truck doesn't drive any different. So I might just pull a code if there are any and go from there. Always seems to go away when I turn off the truck. I was just wondering if there was a sensor somewhere that could possibly be replaced if that's needed.

I know each wheel has an abs sensor but where is the sensor for the Trac control system?

There is NO sensor for this, it all goes with the ABS Sensors.

 

[jetmechabq]

My 18 randomly flashes 4wd shift in progress. Seen it twice so far. Manual lever 4wd. So far the only glitch I've noticed.


Earl

Had the same problem on my 18 the dealer changed the drive train control module for it. took a whit to isolate it down the module

 

[ScottRoberts]

My 18 randomly flashes 4wd shift in progress. Seen it twice so far. Manual lever 4wd. So far the only glitch I've noticed.


Earl

I had a similar problem with my '16, dealer replaced the 4wd indicator switch in the transfer case in February 2018 and have not had the issue since. They called it the transfer case control switch, but I'm not sure that's correct since it's a manual t/c, the part number was 68211454-AA per my service ticket.

 

[EZeis]

Had the same problem on my 18 the dealer changed the drive train control module for it. took a whit to isolate it down the module

Mine did it again today. Come on 3 times in a row. I shifted into 4wd and back into 2wd and it stopped. Could be a linkage adjustment or the switch is faulty. Unfortunately it is random and can't be reproduced, so the dealer will be a clear can't generate issue. That's why I haven't bothered taking it in. I'm not sure if the front axle is being shifted when the message comes up.


Earl

 

[Wiredawg]

Mine did it again today. Come on 3 times in a row. I shifted into 4wd and back into 2wd and it stopped. Could be a linkage adjustment or the switch is faulty. Unfortunately it is random and can't be reproduced, so the dealer will be a clear can't generate issue. That's why I haven't bothered taking it in. I'm not sure if the front axle is being shifted when the message comes up.


Earl

So, after ruling out grounding point, I would look at sensor connectors and inspect wiring. The fact that it's intermittent leads me to believe oxidation, corrosion, nicked wire or even a sensor starting to go bad.

Did you ever purchase an OBD II scanner and/ or Factory Service Manual? Two important tools if your going to troubleshoot your own truck.

Cheers, Ron

 

[EZeis]

So, after ruling out grounding point, I would look at sensor connectors and inspect wiring. The fact that it's intermittent leads me to believe oxidation, corrosion, nicked wire or even a sensor starting to go bad.

Did you ever purchase an OBD II scanner and/ or Factory Service Manual? Two important tools if your going to troubleshoot your own truck.

Cheers, Ron

Done it since brand spanking new. Even now it has less than 12k on it. No reason to troubleshoot it, it's under warranty. Will wait till it does it often enough to show the dealer or I can duplicate it at will for the dealer.
Factory manual is on my list but not a priority. I have several scan tools.

Earl

 

[Wiredawg]

Done it since brand spanking new. Even now it has less than 12k on it. No reason to troubleshoot it, it's under warranty. Will wait till it does it often enough to show the dealer or I can duplicate it at will for the dealer.
Factory manual is on my list but not a priority. I have several scan tools.

Earl

Earl,
Sorry, got you and the OP confused... he had mentioned NOT taking his truck to the dealer. Have checked to see if there are any codes that have not set a CEL?

Anyway, I'm on board tracking two folks with problems.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Randomrunner12]

Alright, so did what Ron suggested this weekend. Problem still there. Traction control light comes on sometimes, shut off truck stays off.

I checked the codes and have zero codes when light is on or off.

I suppose next thing I should check is each of the wheel sensor plugs and see ifayne something there is causing the issue?