The Dodge Challenger traction control warning light can indicate that your traction control system is operating as intended—but it might also signal a serious issue with your vehicle.
Temporary flickering means your traction system is working to keep you safe on the road. A sustained light is more serious. It means that there is an issue with your system that you should get fixed as soon as possible.
In this article, we’ll cover the common causes of your traction light staying on, whether it’s safe to continue driving, and when it might be time to head to your local repair shop for a traction control light inspection
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The traction control light in your Dodge Challenger serves two purposes:
To indicate that your traction control system is working
To indicate that your traction control system isn’t working
Sounds confusing, right? To determine what your traction control (TCS) light
is trying to tell you, pay attention to the flashing pattern. If it flickers, your system is engaged and working as intended. If it’s static, you might have a more serious issue on your hands. The traction control system is designed to keep you safe while driving on slippery roads by keeping traction between your tires and the road. Each wheel on your vehicle has a sensor that tracks how fast the wheels spin. Your vehicle takes that data and compares it to the speed of your car.
Hydroplaning or skidding can happen when your wheels spin faster than the car’s speed. Before that happens, your traction control system will kick in to control how your wheels are spinning and help your vehicle regain traction. When your traction control system is kicking in, you’ll see your traction control light blink (it looks like a little car with skid lines coming from the wheels).
If any part of the traction control system malfunctions, the traction control light may come on permanently (i.e., solid and not blinking). Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons for traction control malfunction
next. Malfunctioning wheel speed sensors
A faulty wheel speed sensor is one of the most common causes of a malfunctioning traction control system. These sensors are mounted on your wheels to collect data about how fast the wheels are spinning. If the sensors aren’t working properly, your vehicle isn’t receiving the information it needs to engage the system at the right time.
If you suspect this might be the cause of your traction control light staying on, it’s best to bring your Challenger to a repair shop to get the sensors checked. OBD-II scanners can also be used to identify the faulty wheel speed sensor if you’re savvy enough to try using one.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction
The anti-lock brake system
is regulated by the same control module as your vehicle’s traction control system. So, any problem with your anti-lock brake system (for example, low brake fluid levels or a faulty brake pedal position sensor) can trigger both the ABS system light
and the traction control warning light. If both of those lights are on, it’s time to take your Dodge Challenger to a repair shop or dealership for some maintenance.
Low tire pressure
Low tire pressure
can be another cause of TCS issues. If your tire pressure is low, your wheel sensors may mistakenly activate the traction control system light thinking there is a traction issue. A faulty pressure monitoring system (TPMS) can also be a trigger.If your traction control light is on in the absence of other warning lights, try checking your tire pressure.
MORE: Are Dodges expensive to maintain?
Broken TCS/ABS control module
The traction control module can break and cause the system to stop functioning altogether. Since this control module is used by both the traction control and anti-lock braking systems, a broken control module is usually signaled by both the TCS and ABS lights.
Having both lights on means it’s probably time to head over to a local dealership or professional mechanic to ensure all your vehicle’s systems are working to keep you safe.
Traction control system turned off
There are a few situations where it’s a good idea to turn off your traction control system
. However, most of the time your traction control system is (and should be) on. You can turn the system on and off by holding the power button and the traction button (in front of your shifter) down for about ten seconds. Although it’s pretty hard to do accidentally, double-check that your traction control system isn’t just off before you bring it to a mechanic.
Can you drive with the traction control light on?
Yes, you can drive your Dodge Challenger with the traction control light on, but it’s probably not safe to do so in inclement weather conditions.
Remember, a flickering light while you’re braving an icy road means your traction control system is working to keep you safe. A static or permanent light can indicate that your vehicle is unable to engage the correct systems to keep you safe.
Before you head to a mechanic, you can check your tire pressure and make sure that your traction control system isn’t just turned off. Beyond that, it’s a good idea to get help from a professional.
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