Puma Traction Control

**Explorer30** · 25th June 2018, 11:34 AM

Hi all,

This weekend I attended a 4WD course in Perth through Eureka 4WD. Was a brilliant day and can highly recommend if you know you have a lot to learn like me.

Through one of the obstacles I noticed that the traction control on my 2007 110 was not working as expected. It was a slightly muddy axle twister, and after completing successfully I went back through and chose the worst line possible to test the traction control.

Car was in 1 Low, CDL engaged (light on). I entered the obstacle with a small amount of accelerator until traction was lost on one front and one rear wheel. I then held on the gas consistently at around 3000rpm. I could feel and hear the traction control trying to engage, though braking was not sufficient to stop the wheels with no traction, thus power was never directed to the remaining wheels. I attempted again, revved consistently for some time, at no point was the TC able to divert power.

The instructor made a comment that the system seemed to be 'trying' but would not fully engage - an easy fix, front and rear diff locks! Another (post 2011) defender was there on the day and made it through fine.

Tonight I will jack up one wheel and double check that the CDL is engaging correctly, though I doubt this is the problem, as I would have noticed on other obstacles.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Is the pre 2011 TC system not as effective as the newer model? Is there a sure fire way to test if the TC system is working properly?

Thanks!

Matt

**martnH** · 25th June 2018, 02:09 PM

I am pretty sure late puma has a Bosch ABS pump....But then it shouldn't affect the TC's function

One thing that I can comment on is maybe you can try low second. my reaosn is low one may lead to too much toeque at the wheel to a point it exceed the braking power.
when the TC kicks in, the rev should be difficult to maintain or start to drop...

Cheers

**Explorer30** · 25th June 2018, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by martnH

I am pretty sure late puma has a Bosch ABS pump....But then it shouldn't affect the TC's function

One thing that I can comment on is maybe you can try low second. my reaosn is low one may lead to too much toeque at the wheel to a point it exceed the braking power.
when the TC kicks in, the rev should be difficult to maintain or start to drop...

Cheers

Thanks for your comment. Your point about trying low 2 or 3 makes a lot of sense, in fact when trying to force the car to stall in low 1 in preparation for an emergency start on a steep incline, the car didn't want to stop even with brake to the floor.

To your comment regarding rev's when TC kicks in - I've not experienced this before. Why would the revs start to drop?

Cheers

**martnH** · 25th June 2018, 04:01 PM

The TC is essentially selective braking.
The system is trying to only brake the spinning wheel so the torque can be transfer to the opposite wheel

In other words, the TC goes against engine output, dragging the engine slowing it down....So sometimes TC system will be quite counter productive....

Originally Posted by Explorer30

Thanks for your comment. Your point about trying low 2 or 3 makes a lot of sense, in fact when trying to force the car to stall in low 1 in preparation for an emergency start on a steep incline, the car didn't want to stop even with brake to the floor.

To your comment regarding rev's when TC kicks in - I've not experienced this before. Why would the revs start to drop?

Cheers

**one_iota** · 25th June 2018, 05:38 PM

Did the "traction control indicator" light come on during this exercise?

Just wondering if the sensors are working.

Tombie · 25th June 2018, 05:40 PM

In wet boggy environments (where the brakes are immersed) the brakes can’t get a good bite. TC will struggle in these conditions.

**weeds** · 25th June 2018, 05:55 PM

I suspect your CDL will be OK.......never own a vehicle with traction control but as tombie and other have suggested.

I’ve only stood and watched traction control a handful of times.......ATB, lockers or unlockers reduces the load on the drive train plus you will be able to idle through instead of keeping the revs up to create wheel spin to activate traction control.

All depends what terrain you’ll most likely be tackling.

If it was me I would install a selectable locker in the rear....or a Detroit, no real need to touch the front unless your rock hopping

**Explorer30** · 25th June 2018, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by one_iota

Did the "traction control indicator" light come on during this exercise?

Just wondering if the sensors are working.

I don’t recall seeing the ‘TC’ light activated at the time or in the past, though haven’t actively looked. I’ve definitely noticed the ABS light come on during hard braking.

Matt

**Explorer30** · 25th June 2018, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by weeds

I suspect your CDL will be OK.......never own a vehicle with traction control but as tombie and other have suggested.

I’ve only stood and watched traction control a handful of times.......ATB, lockers or unlockers reduces the load on the drive train plus you will be able to idle through instead of keeping the revs up to create wheel spin to activate traction control.

All depends what terrain you’ll most likely be tackling.

If it was me I would install a selectable locker in the rear....or a Detroit, no real need to touch the front unless your rock hopping

Rear diff lock is on the wish list!

**one_iota** · 25th June 2018, 07:41 PM

I don't do much "serious" driving. However on rocky tracks or slippery ones before I engage the CDL this light tells me that the Traction Control was used. Too much of this light going on and I engage the CDL. Low first is way too low...good for down hill. Any way I regard the TC as the first line of defence in the battle between traction and forward motion. The major tool is the CDL and if I needed them cross axle diff locks.

Any way find a slippery slope...rocky is good. Plant the right foot spin the wheels and see if the TC light comes on. If it doesn't then there might be an issue.

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