850 1994 tracs system

petek153 · Post by **petek153** » 19 Dec 2009, 10:28

Question on the tracs system on the 94 850 fwd only my son says its had to drive in the snow he says it locks the brakes when you slide it locks up on the side that's sliding,so because it locks the brakes, you cant hit the gas to get it to turn so you end up sliding straight and not making the turn.
Does this seem like its not working correctly or is it he isn't used to driving in the snow with it. He claims he has more control if he leaves tracs off. No ABS/Tracs trouble lights on so I assume its working correctly.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 19 Dec 2009, 11:12

Tracs is a joke at best. It does apply the brakes to a spinning wheel but I have never had it interfere with the ability to steer the car. On my '94 I rarely turn the tracs on and on the '96's I have often just turned it off. Through '95 you had to turn it on if you wanted it, after '96 it is always on unless you turn it off with the switch on the dash.

...Lee

Post by **jblackburn** » 19 Dec 2009, 11:39

TRACS doesn't do anything really, even on my 98 model. It's nothing like the newer traction control systems. It can slightly help you get started on hills in snow by braking the wheel that's spinning. But other than that, it does nothing once you're moving. I turn it off once I'm moving, otherwise it keeps flipping out. It shouldn't lock them though once you're moving/turning.

I miss my Volvo in snow. We got 2 feet here yesterday, and I'm stuck with my mom's Accord until I go home next week. Otherwise not a bad car, but it is absolutely TERRIBLE in snow - the tires spin no matter how gently you take off, even in 2nd or 3rd gear and you just can't get moving.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 19 Dec 2009, 13:42

petek153 wrote:Question on the tracs system on the 94 850 fwd only my son says its had to drive in the snow he says it locks the brakes when you slide it locks up on the side that's sliding,so because it locks the brakes, you cant hit the gas to get it to turn so you end up sliding straight and not making the turn.
Does this seem like its not working correctly or is it he isn't used to driving in the snow with it. He claims he has more control if he leaves tracs off. No ABS/Tracs trouble lights on so I assume its working correctly.

Lemme get this straight. You say that the brakes are locked when you hit the gas?
TRACS doesn't really "Lock the brakes". It pulses the brake at the spinning tire. REALLY fast.
On my '98, it sounds like a sort of "chittering whir", for lack of a better description.
This sounds more like a sticky caliper to me. I'd have a look for that kind of problem.

petek153 · Post by **petek153** » 19 Dec 2009, 15:08

I guess what he was feeling was the brakes going on pulsating and with his previous car he would give it some gas to pull out of the slide but with the tracs ,as I understand it from other post, that would sense the wheel spin and pulse the brake more not allowing him to drive like his other car that didn't have tracs. His first time with this system on snow so maybe just have to get familiar with it or leave it off.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 19 Dec 2009, 15:19

BEJinFbk, thanks for saying chittering whirr. I've heard that sound before and wanted to ask what it was but I had no idea how to describe the sound, haha.

kubiksgar · Post by **kubiksgar** » 25 Mar 2010, 20:37

check port A3 for codes I have code 444 no power supply to valves and the brake locks up and the calipers are not sticking 100% sure the abs box maybe bad

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 25 Mar 2010, 23:27

check port A3 for codes I have code 444 no power supply to valves and the brake locks up and the calipers are not sticking 100% sure the abs box maybe bad

The '95 and earlier modules are much more robust than the '96 and later versions (more or less 100% failure rate on the later versions). That said, they do fail and they are failing at a higher and higher rate just due to age. The good news is that you can buy them cheap on eBay or from a salvage yard since there is very little demand for them at this time. I have recently seen the entire system, including the pump and the modulator valves for well under $100.00.

...Lee