What Does a Flashing Engine Light and Traction Control Light Mean for a GMC Sierra?
If your Check Engine Light is flashing on your GMC Sierra, you should take it to your mechanic right away.
Written by Brittni Brinn
Reviewed by Pat Roache
The traction control system (TCS) in your GMC Sierra gives you extra stability in dangerous road conditions such as ice, rain, or snow. If the system fails, the
traction control light
will illuminate. If the engine light is flashing, you should immediately take your Sierra in for repairs.It’s important to know why your indicator lights turn on and what to do if your dashboard lights up with a new icon. If the traction control light illuminates, what should you do? And if your Check Engine Light (CEL) is flashing, is that more serious than if it simply lights up?
Here’s a guide to these two important indicators on your GMC Sierra dashboard. We’ll go over why these lights may turn on, when you should take your Sierra to the mechanic, and what to expect from the resulting
car repair
.Why your GMC Sierra traction control light turns on (and why your engine light may be flashing at the same time)
The Sierra’s traction control light may appear as a “TC” or a tiny skidding car icon on your dashboard. It’s normal for the light to turn on and turn off while you’re driving—this simply means the system is activating when necessary. But if it is turning on more than usual and remains lit up after restarting your Sierra, there might be an issue.
If your traction control light is illuminated and your Check Engine Light is flashing at the same time, this can indicate a more severe problem. The cause could be anything from a loose gas cap to an
engine misfire
or a problem with the fuel injection system. It’s worth noting that a flashing CEL is usually serious and you should take your car to a mechanic
ASAP. The GMC Sierra’s traction control system is called Stabilitrak. It uses sensors to make sure each wheel is spinning at the same rate. If a wheel loses traction, the traction control module compensates by pulsing the brakes for that wheel to prevent fishtailing, sliding, or skidding—the traction control light will illuminate briefly to let you know that the system has been activated and is doing its job.
The GMC Sierra 1500,
GMC Canyon
, and most new Chevrolet
and Buick
models use the Stabilitrak system. Another feature of this particular system is that it senses the wheel position to keep the vehicle moving in the same direction after a loss of traction, which is different from the electronic stability control (ESC) systems that other vehicles use. If you want to know more about the Stabilitrak system, you can check your car owner’s manual
.The traction control system involves a bunch of parts that have to work together to ensure it works as intended. The traction control light will stay illuminated if there’s an issue with the wheels, sensors, or control module—if the Check Engine Light is also flashing, it could indicate a major
traction control malfunction
. Here are some reasons why these lights may illuminate and how to respond.Don't get ripped off!
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Temporary loss of traction
If your TCS light comes on while you’re driving in heavy rain, snow, or icy conditions, this is normal! It means that the system is activating as intended to give you better control of your vehicle.
It’s when your TCS light remains illuminated or if other warning lights join the lit-up party, that you should be concerned. It’s best to take your Sierra in for a
traction control light inspection
in these cases. Engine misfire
If your TCS light is on and your Check Engine Light is flashing, it could indicate an engine misfire. This is one of the most damaging reasons for your engine light to flash and should be looked at as soon as possible. If you continue to drive your vehicle after an engine misfire, you can seriously damage the catalytic converters and other powertrain components.
An engine misfire will usually be accompanied by a change in performance. If you notice these symptoms, take your Sierra to the shop right away:
- Rough acceleration
- Shaking or vibrating while driving or idling
- Reduced performance
- Smells like gas or oil
Faulty wheel speed sensors
A failing wheel speed sensor can also cause your TCS light to stay illuminated. The sensors on your Sierra’s wheels see a lot of wear and tear and can break down over time. The Stabilitrak sensor in your steering wheel may also malfunction and require a replacement.
To make sure your traction control system will kick in when you need it, get your Stabilitrak system checked if the TCS light remains on. If you’re up for diagnosing the problem yourself, you can use an OBD-II scan tool to check for
engine code C0040
, which is associated with these sensors. Anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction
A reason your TCS and CEL indicators may be lit is a bit surprising—your Sierra’s
anti-lock brake system
may be the culprit! The ABS uses the same control module as your traction control system, so a problem with your anti-lock brakes or brake fluid levels can trigger the TCS light along with the ABS system light
. If both of these lights are on, you should take your Sierra to the shop to have both of the systems checked out.
Low tire pressure
Since your traction control system uses wheel sensors to maintain traction,
low tire pressure
can trigger the TCS light. If your Sierra has a faulty tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), this could also cause the TCS light to come on. Checking your tire pressure and filling up your tires the next time you’re at the gas station may solve the issue. Easy, right?
MORE: How often to check your car’s tire pressure
Broken TCS/ABS control module
If the control module malfunctions, the “service traction control” indicator will turn on—the CEL may also illuminate in this case. This module is essential for the proper activation of your traction control system.
If the road is clear and your TCS light remains illuminated along with the Check Engine Light, you should bring your Sierra to the shop for a check-up.
Can you drive with the traction control light on if the engine light is flashing?
If your Sierra’s traction control light is illuminated and the Check Engine Light is flashing, take it to a mechanic as soon as possible.
The TCS light will turn on and off when the system is activated to give you better traction in bad driving conditions. If it remains illuminated even after you’ve restarted your car, it could indicate a malfunction. In these cases, you should drive with caution and take your Sierra for a check-up when you can.
If the TCS light remains illuminated along with a flashing Check Engine Light, you should take your Sierra to a mechanic immediately. Some sources suggest pulling over right away or driving straight to the shop. A flashing Check Engine Light is generally something serious, and continuing to drive with this indicator can cause severe damage to your engine.
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