OK, so the more answers I get to my previous 2 posts, the more I am convinced there is some major electrical issues with my 2001 Chevy venture. Here is a list of all the little problems that have been coming up recently:

1. On really cold days, if you turn on the left turn signal, the "service traction system" light will come on. But only on cold days. The traction control system DOES work, it has come on and worked properly recently.

2. Again, on cold days, and especially when it is cold and dark enough for the automatic headlights to come on, when you hit the brakes both of the hazard light indicators on the dash come on ad stay on for as long as you have the brake pedal depressed. If you also have the left turn signal on during this time it blinks rapidly but IS lit on the outside of the vehicle. (it is not the bulb)

3. Today the temperature gauge seems to be having issues all of a sudden. (no we haven't yet ruled out thermostat issues)

4. The AC/heat fan will not run on the highest setting. Apparently it is a circuit breaker.

5. we have heat in the back of the van but not the front (not necessarily electrically related)

HMm. At the moment that is all I can think of, but it seems there was something else. I'll probably remember it after I post this.

FYI we purchased this vehicle 18 months ago from a dealer, used, for cash. We have since had to have the radiator replaced and the engine rebuilt. I'm beginning to think we got ripped off, but we really like this van and have put too much into it now to try and get rid of it.

For the "Service Traction System" light problem, I would replace the spark plugs with the exact ACDelco plugs that came in the van, replace the fuel filter, and clean the ABS wheel sensors.

Radiators often need replacing, due to tap water being mixed with the antifreeze--only use distilled water. Tap water leads to mineral buildup and blockage.

Spark plugs don't have anything to do with the traction system.

Based on your other posts, it sounds like you have some severe electrical issues; obviously, hazard lights shouldn't be coming on when you're braking and the traction light shouldn't be coming on just because you're signaling.

Enhanced Traction System (ETS) is used to stop wheel slip by reducing engine output. It means that ETS has been disabled because you have a engine problem and the computer cannot reduce power to the wheels because the engine might stall; therefore, the computer disables the system. In my experience, the engine problem has often been seriously worn spark plugs. I don't know the connection with the left turning signal. Some cars come with a switch by the shifter that turns on and off the system because if you get stuck in the snow traction control will keep you stuck.

Generally, when the ETS Off Light is "ON" (the only light on and not along with the Check Engine Light), you may have a wheel speed sensor not responding. This can happen due to metallic dust on the sensor. Clean the four ABS sensors with a spritzled rag.

From my experience, these steps solve most genuine traction control system-related problems.

If the plugs are that worn, you're going to get a misfire code before it starts affecting the traction system. I have yet to see any spark plug issue cause a traction light to be set; in my experience, it's always due to the ABS system.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by this8384

Spark plugs don't have anything to do with the traction system.

Based on your other posts, it sounds like you have some severe electrical issues; obviously, hazard lights shouldn't be coming on when you're braking and the traction light shouldn't be coming on just because you're signaling.

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Just for the record, although I agree, the hazard lights themselves don't come on, just the indicators on the dash, like when you put them on and both signal lights light up and flash... but with this they just stay on while the brake is depressed.

Here we go again, this8384. That's your experience, not mine. Safety issues often demand that traction control system lights come on to indicate that the system has been disabled, due to many factors (including emission system contamination and marginal engine performance). Take your argument elsewhere.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flarson

Just for the record, although I agree, the hazard lights themselves dont come on, just the indicators on the dash, like when you put them on and both signal lights light up and flash... but with this they just stay on while the brake is depressed.

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Something's seriously wrong... it almost sounds like wires are crossed somewhere.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by txgreasemonkey

Here we go again, this8384. That's your experience, not mine. Safety issues often demand that traction control system lights come on to indicate that the system has been disabled, due to many factors (including emission system contamination and marginal engine performance). Take your argument elsewhere.

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It's not an argument; someone's looking for advice and we're both allowed to speak our piece on the matter. What's so wrong with that? I didn't give you a negative rating, I'm just saying I don't agree.

And by the way, I'd like to know how emissions affect traction. If you've got such a problem, PM me and quit wasting space on this board.

This example might educate you on how these systems work:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...ht-278299.html

this8384, I'll follow how you solve flarson's problems.

You're comparing an '03 Sequoia to an '01 Venture? And that offered no explanation; it just says "This happens because it does."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by txgreasemonkey

Some cars come with a switch by the shifter that turns on and off the system because if you get stuck in the snow traction control will keep you stuck.

Generally, when the ETS Off Light is "ON" (the only light on and not along with the Check Engine Light), you may have a wheel speed sensor not responding. This can happen due to metallic dust on the sensor.

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OK, we don't have the switch next to the signal. It is down below the AC controls. The first time this happened was last year after we had a tie rod replaced on the right wheel. Would this have anything to do with it? We couldn't verify that it was their fault because it only happened when it is cold and we had not had it that long.

I have the same issues with My 2001 Venture... It started after I was hit on the passanger side by a person running red light... I believe it has to do with a bad ground connection from the taillight... If I mess with the taillight (see below), I can get everything to work correctly for a while (couple days)... I also have the back-up assist coming one when in Drive instead of only while in reverse...

Since you had work done, I would check to make sure that they re-connected the plug to the hub after they completed the work...

If you remove the two torx screws that hold the tailliight on, you can pull it away from the body, at the top is a plug, If I remove that plug, I can see one of the terminals is blackened... If I clean it off, I can get all the systems to function properly... the thing all these systems hae in common is a common ground wire for the rear of the car...

I have the same issues with My 2001 Venture... It started after I was hit on the passanger side by a person running red light... I believe it has to do with a bad ground connection from the taillight... If I mess with the taillight (see below), I can get everything to work correctly for a while (couple days)... I also have the back-up assist coming one when in Drive instead of only while in reverse...

Since you had work done, I would check to make sure that they re-connected the plug to the hub after they completed the work...

If you remove the two torx screws that hold the tailliight on, you can pull it away from the body, at the top is a plug, If I remove that plug, I can see one of the terminals is blackened... If I clean it off, I can get all the systems to function properly... the thing all these systems hae in common is a common ground wire for the rear of the car...

Actually I had the same problem with the hazard lights coming on when I pressed down on the brakes in my 1998 Venture. It wound up being the board with all the electrical components for the back lighting. Both sides have their own board and is about $100 for each. Those boards apparently connect the hazards and I believe the one parking light that always seems to go out on the Ventures.

Can somebody please help me? My 2001 Venture has some funky stuff going on with it. While driving the interior lights will flicker off and on, the slider doors will decide if they want to work or not and this morning my husband was coming home from work and at first it wouldn't start. After trying a second time it started and turning on the wiper blades made the van die. What can be my problem. We bought a new battery only 3 months ago, the outer lights don't seem to flicker so I don't think that it is the altenator. There isn't any corrosion on the battery, posts or wiring. And the relays and fuses all seem to be snug. HELP!!

Newton9, check the ignition switch for wear, pitting, or melting--this could explain a lot. Still, I would remove and fully charge the battery, which most auto parts stores will do for free. They will also test alternators for free--better to be safe than sorry.