ETC Light

[CBlack]

Since the search isn't working properly, I'm going to post a new thread.



I was returning a small UHaul trailer today after towing it over from Houston. The whole trip over I had zero issues.



This morning I go to return the trailer empty and the ETC light comes on.



I return home, look in the manual and it says see dealer soon.



A few hours later, I have to run an errand and the light is gone.



What gives? Any thoughts?

 

[Alan Reagan]

You will need to pull the codes. It could be something as simple as a dirty connector to the TPS. The light will usually go out after three successful starts with no error. However, the code is still stored until it is cleared. Use the trucks code puller and write down the codes and it will give you a better idea of what is going on.





Cycle the ignition key on-off-on-off-on within five seconds, don't crank engine. Read the codes in the odometer window. Once you have the codes, post them back here or cross reference them. Good luck.

 

[CBlack]

As mentioned above the light was gone and it hasn't come back since. I have tried to pull codes using your method as well as the Smarty but nothing comes up.

I guess it was an anomaly.

Thanks

 

[CBlack]

OK, so the dang light came back. Did the key sequence to get the code and the only thing that came up was: "done". Then it went off. Very strange.

 

[mwilson]

OK, so the dang light came back. Did the key sequence to get the code and the only thing that came up was: "done". Then it went off. Very strange.

This is somewhat related so I will share it...



Don't get hung up on the lack of codes, my dealer just went through that with my '08 Town And Country. Granted it is a gasoline engine but my point is that the ECM had nothing to do with it other than it could not maintain the throttle setting requested by the foot throttle.

After 2 months of screwing with the ETC light coming on until you restarted it (and when it came on the engine idled rough, the transmission shifted funny and several other issues) I took it back to the dealer again myself and the same story again, no codes found.

I was a little ****** at the whole situation by then, not really so much at the dealer and took it down the road. I drove it for almost an hour and finally it went into another fit. I drove it back to the dealer, told them "DO NOT SHUT IT OFF UNTIL YOU COME OUT AND WITNESS THIS"!!!

They did, all were scratching their heads exclaiming that they had never seen such a thing before. Drove it in the garage still running and the tech started fooling around under the hood. For some reason he squeezed the PCV line, when he did it almost quit. Well, the PVC valve was junk.

When it stuck there was not enough vacuum and the ETC light came on as a result of a mis-match between what the throttle requested versus what the motor could do.



People get all hung up on codes and lights, just remember that sometimes they are simply a by-product of a mechanical issue.



Mike.