Can bad alignment cause traction control light to come on? Is bad Alignment can affect Traction Control? Is the StabiliTrak affected by Alignment? The car which is Out of Alignment what are its possible Symptoms? Is it possible to drive with the light traction control on?
Can bad alignment cause traction control light to come on?
There can be a frustrating experience for both experienced and new drivers due to the light of traction control illuminating the dashboard. It can come on because of a lot of factors like a broken wheel sensor, sensor of faulty steering angle, and weather conditions. The incorrect alignment of the wheel normally disrupts the car’s stability and drivability. There could be a problem with the alignment of the wheel if the traction control light comes and stays on for a while.
However, there are several other reasons that can cause the traction control light to come on. To know what is the cause that illuminates your dashboard and how the alignment of a bad wheel contributes to it.
Is bad Alignment can affect Traction Control?
Yes, it can do it. It can trigger the fault code and makes the control module turn on the light of the traction control. The proper alignment of the wheel is very important to keep the wheels running straight and flawless, your tires may wear out faster due to poor alignment.
One of the common causes of traction control light on the dashboard is the bad alignment of the wheel. However, you should not ignore certain possibilities. These possibilities are:
Faulty Steering Angle Sensor
An angle sensor of steering is located in the column of the steering. As the name is known. Its work is to measure the steering angle of the wheel, relative position, and rotation speed. The data which is obtained is passed to the module of the control. If there is any defect in this sensor this causes incorrect data and it can adversely affect the computation. Hence, the light of traction comes on.
A Faulty Wheel Speed Sensor
The responsibility of Wheel speed sensors is to measure the speed of the wheel and to convey the information to the unit of control. The system of traction control also utilizes the same data from the sensor of the wheel speed to intelligently apply brakes and also in avoiding the lock of the wheel. The traction control light comes on if there are any discrepancies in the data received from any wheel speed sensor.
A Faulty Steering Rack
The steering rack is interlinked with the steering wheel and it forms a very important part of the power steering system. To make the steering effortless, it receives pressurized hydraulic fluid. Although, a faulty steering wheel rack makes it difficult to steer the vehicle, particularly on rough terrains. It can make it possible to trigger the light of the traction control.
Low Pressure of Tire
The work of wheel speed sensors is to detect the speed of the wheel and forward this information to the ABS and the unit of traction control. Through the tire pressure, its operation can be affected. In case of low-pressure of the tire, the wheel loses shape and also interferes with the sensor of wheel speed. As a consequence traction control warning light can trigger. The new cars mostly come with a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), which works in case of a drop in tire pressure and will warn you.
Conditions of Road and Weather
If you are driving on a muddy or snowy road, then you will observe that the light of the traction control flashes or is constantly on. In this case, you need not worry about this, it is the only indication that the system of traction control is adapting to the conditions of the road and doing what it is supposed to do. There is a fault if it stays on you should need to fix this.
Manual Override Function
To allow drivers to turn ON or OFF the traction control system, most vehicles have a switch that is present on the dashboard. It is manually turned off by utilizing that switch when the light comes on at this time. But in some conditions, the symbol of the dashboard includes the word OFF in this condition. It may be possible that you might have turned it OFF before without observing. It is unheard of that different settings of cars have been changed, during cleaning the car or safety systems have turned OFF.
Systematic Failure
The systems of automobiles mostly are interconnected. When there is any issue with the ECU, programming, limp mode, or in failure in another system, then the traction light can also come on. The cause of this is the least common but if it happens then there is enough time to diagnose and cost to fix this.
Is the StabiliTrak affected by Alignment?
In fact, the StabiliTrak may be affected by poor alignment, due to which the warning light comes on. However, the warning light of StabiliTrak can be caused by other issues with the vehicle, just as the traction control, such as faulty speed sensors, a bad steering angle sensor, or muddy/conditions of the snowy road. StabiliTrak is a system of electronic stability control like the system of traction control but it has various functions.
This system makes sure you drive in a straight line and it also prevents swaying off the road, even, whenever you hit an obstacle or a speed bump. To get into the action, it utilizes the data from the steering and wheel sensors.
As described earlier a bad alignment of the wheel affects the operation of the wheel speed sensors. This will trigger the warning light of StabiliTrak on the dashboard. The other most common symptoms of a malfunctioning system of StabiliTrak are loss of power engine and activation of limp mode.
The operation of StabiliTrak may also be affected by the following, apart from the bad alignment of the wheel. These are the following:
-The sensor of a faulty throttle position
-The sensor of a Defective steering wheel position
-The problem with the ABS sensor
-A Defective fuel pump
-The issue of AFM (Active Fuel Management)
-The sensors of the Faulty tire pressure monitor
-The Faulty brake switch
-The issue of the Body control module
There are many systems in which StabiliTrak is one of these systems that depend on multiple other systems and sensors to run. If one system and sensor becomes faulty in between these systems, then the system will stop working. The diagnosis and fixation of a StabiliTrak fault can become quite costly.
The car which is Out of Alignment what are its possible Symptoms?
You should have to keep the wheels of your car well aligned at all times as a driver. The benefits of a well aligned wheel at all times are that it provides a longer tire lifespan, efficiency of fuel remains better, and it also maintains overall good performance. It has the ability to protect your system of suspension and components from any premature wear.
However, it is very difficult and challenging to keep proper alignment of the wheel during the vehicle’s service life. You should have to avoid driving straight into potholes, hitting curbs, and or collisions with objects. As a result of these factors and some others the wheels will misaligned
If you need the realignment of the wheel, how do you know? Here are some most common signs of bad alignment:
-In this case your vehicle pulls to one side
-On the road Car shakes or vibrates
-Bumpy ride
-Vibrating of steering wheel
-The uneven and or excessive tire wear
-The uneven of the steering wheel
-The squealing of tires during acceleration
Although most drivers do not do this, therefore, it is recommended to check on a regular basis the alignment of your wheel. The checking of the alignment of the wheel once a year can save you money on fuel and prolong the lifespan of your tires.
Is it possible to drive with the light of traction control on?
Yes, it is possible but it is for a few miles and in certain conditions of the road and weather. Since the system of traction is safe, driving a vehicle with a faulty and or inactive system can be dangerous.
The light of traction control warns you of any problem with the system of the traction control, which is responsible for keeping you safe on slippery roads.
The system of a traction control is responsible to monitor all the wheels and it also identifies wheels who’re losing their grip on the road. After that to avoid slipping or skidding by applying brakes to that individual wheel or cutting engine power it responds. it makes sure that all the wheels keep traction and provides you control steering.
At the first opportunity to stay You should address the light of traction control. To save yourself on the road and ensure the safety of others on the road , then you should address the light of traction control at the first opportunity to stay. when the weather will change you never know and changing of weather will endanger yourself.
Conclusion
The proper functions of the car depend on multiple systems and sensors which work together. In between these systems if one of the systems becomes faulty there will be a chain reaction causing all kinds of warnings looked at on the dashboard.
Although a bad alignment of the wheel may be due to the traction control warning, many other factors may also be involved in this. But when we talk about diagnosing car problems, then it is recommended to always start by checking the places of the easiest, where the fault could be, such as the alignment of the wheel in our case.
Always the proper maintenance will prevent those faults from developing. So, you must keep in mind that you should look after your car, it will look after you and your wallet!
