[sdowdeng]

Hi

A problem has arisen with my 2006 S60R (manual +50k miles).

The problem is intermittent and has the following symptoms.

When moving off from junctions or applying full throttle from low speed in 1st and 2nd gears, all power goes to the front left wheel causing torque steer and loss of traction (even with DTSC on) - then power is shoved back to rear wheels as it should.

If I stop and turn off ignition this sometimes "fixes" the issue.

I have no error codes or messages.

The only other items of note are I hit two large pot holes recently - one with right front and the other with the left front - but that was 10 days ago. I also have the RICA PPC upgrade.

My car is out of warranty 2 weeks !!!!!

Thanks in advance
Sean

 

[phuz]

Sounds like the DEM is acting up if power isn't going to the rear right away...but how can you tell that only your left wheel is spinning. The (all-time) traction control should be braking one wheel to transfer power to the opposing wheel as it senses slip. If this wasn't working properly, I'd imagine that you would get a CEL.

 

[tmtalpey]

Re: Need help : Have intermittent problem of power going to Front left wheel ! (sdowdeng)

Quite clearly you've lost the AWD function. It could be a simple issue with a flaky wheel sensor or minor electrical issue, or it could be a major failure such as a failed angle gear drive collar.

Since you say turning off the ignition fixes things, and you hit a pothole or two, I'd guess it's a wheel sensor. This is easily diagnosed and fixed by a dealer. You should get it fixed soon if so - that sensor controls the ABS functions as well.

Phuz - no CEL light will light for this type of issue. That light is reserved for emissions-related issues, and is not activated by chassis or other problems.

Tom.

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: Need help : Have intermittent problem of power going to Front left wheel ! (tmtalpey)

Quote, originally posted by tmtalpey »

Phuz - no CEL light will light for this type of issue. That light is reserved for emissions-related issues, and is not activated by chassis or other problems. Tom.

But you MIGHT get the "Anti-Skid control temporarily disabled" message for a bit.

I know I got that, and others who have had wheel sensor issues have reported same.

Just by hearing symptoms I'd rule out angle gear and a failed DEM sensor if you are getting ANY power to the rear. Does sound like a wheel speed sensor.

And as for being out of warranty two weeks, bring it in and see if it can be covered under goodwill.

 

[tmtalpey]

Re: Need help : Have intermittent problem of power going to Front left wheel ! (Needsdecaf)

True, but if the sensor is sending at least some pulses, it may not be enough disable the function, just flake it out. So a message might or might not appear.

Even if it's out of warranty, it's not a big job. IMO it's practically a DIY, but only if you know which sensor to do. If a sensor, it's almost guaranteed to be one or both of the fronts, here.

Tom.

 

[sdowdeng]

Re: Need help : Have intermittent problem of power going to Front left wheel ! (tmtalpey)

Thanks for the inputs Guys.

I have a few other data points.
1) I drove the car 60 miles this afternoon with out any issue - I had DTSC turned on all the time
2) I generall drive with DTSC turned off (the Traction Control turned off that is)
3) There is definately normal power transfer to rear wheels.

I will make another comparison tomorrow - 60 mile with DTSC on and 60 with it off.

Sean

 

[Warpedcow]

Re: Need help : Have intermittent problem of power going to Front left wheel ! (Needsdecaf)

Quote, originally posted by Needsdecaf »

But you MIGHT get the "Anti-Skid control temporarily disabled" message for a bit.

I got that message when my DEM died. My DEM happened to stay dead and the message stayed there until I got it replaced (under warranty).

 

[tmtalpey]

Re: Need help : Have intermittent problem of power going to Front left wheel ! (sdowdeng)

Quote, originally posted by sdowdeng »

1) I drove the car 60 miles this afternoon with out any issue - I had DTSC turned on all the time

Even with DSTC off, the TRACS traction control component is active and you can get wheelspin correction at low speeds. BTW, when you say DSTC off do you mean the 5-push sequence where the DIM says it's "off", or the 1-push where it says "reduced" and the light on the switch goes off?

Quote »

2) I generall drive with DTSC turned off (the Traction Control turned off that is)

Incorrect, as mentioned. TRACS remains on at all times, it cannot be turned off. DSTC is the dynamic stability control component, which corrects yaw and directional stability.

Quote »

3) There is definately normal power transfer to rear wheels.

Good. This for sure indicates a control problem, rather than a drivetrain hardware one.

I still think you should have a dealer take a look. Flaky sensors that could disable or affect ABS are nothing to tolerate.

Tom.

 

[sdowdeng]

Solved: Need help : Have intermittent problem of power going to Front left wheel ! (tmtalpey)

Thanks for the replies.

I have found the problem.

- Yes....its down to flaky sensors - one in my digital tire pressure gauge and the other in my head for assuming it was right !!!

When the issue arose last week, one of the first things I did was check my tire tread depth and tire pressures - each wheel read 30 psi.

Yesterday, I deciced to no longer trust these readings as the back right tire looked "soft". I recheck the pressures at my local fuel station and found that I had a grossly under inflated tire - 17psi. My rechecked with my gauge which continued to read 30 psi - it is now in the bin.

Any way after inflating all tires to 35 psi, I have driven 120 miles without any issue - with traction on and off (single push deactivation)
I guess the issue was arising due to different rolling radius of tires. Does this make sense ?

Thanks for all the replies and pointers

Regards,
Sean

 

[tmtalpey]

Re: Solved: Need help : Have intermittent problem of power going to Front left wheel ! (sdowdeng)

Perfect sense! Low pressure is a huge issue and a single low tire even huger. 17psi is downright dangerous, the bead can pop, and/or the tread can roll under cornering. Squirm was probably your issue, not diameter btw.

35 is a good choice, but some prefer a little more in front and a little less in back, e.g. 36/32, or 36/34. Not all tires are the same though. I'd encourage you to play with it, tire pressure is the most dramatic zero-cost mod there is.

Tom.

 

[phuz]

Re: Need help : Have intermittent problem of power going to Front left wheel ! (tmtalpey)

Quote, originally posted by tmtalpey »

Phuz - no CEL light will light for this type of issue. That light is reserved for emissions-related issues, and is not activated by chassis or other problems. Tom.

Whoops...DIM message is what I was referring to. I would think that a difference in wheel speeds would trigger a fault of some kind.

 

[tmtalpey]

Re: Need help : Have intermittent problem of power going to Front left wheel ! (phuz)

Probably not, the tire diameter change due to pressure is nowhere near enough to trigger that. You can even put on the compact spare and not trigger it, after all.

Tom.