Traction light started to be on - only in 4WD

[COLOR=#1D2129][FONT=Helvetica]2015 JK Rubicon unlimited. Traction control light stays on solid only in 4WD and only some times. Steering wheel just slightly off. Had 5 new tires installed last week and that is when the problem started. If it is the steering wheel, how would I have caused it to be off slightly? Would Discount tires did something when they installed tires?[/FONT][/COLOR]

I can't comment on the cause with your model but I would be in contact with the tire installer asap to notify them of issues you're having post their work.

Are the new tires the same size as the prior tires?

I suspect it is because your steering wheel is out of center. Have Discount check the alignment and center the steering wheel and I'll bet the light goes off and behaves correctly.

Thanks so much - I am going to take it to my reputable auto shop and discuss it and go from there. The steering wheel is like 3:30 9:30

Can you believe Discount doesn't do alignments!!

Do you need an alignment for steering wheel centering on a JK? On my LJ, I just need to loosen the collars on a coupling between the steering box and the drag link, rotate the coupling a bit, and tighten it all back to center the steering wheel. It's a five minute job.

[quote=open_circuit;327131]I just need to loosen the collars on a coupling between the steering box and the drag link, rotate the coupling a bit, and tighten it all back to center the steering wheel. It's a five minute job.[/quote]

Same with my JK, simple procedure.

[QUOTE=coleman07;327129]Can you believe Discount doesn't do alignments!![/QUOTE]

Around here they partner with Brakes Plus - they will often give a small 20% or so off coupon to get alignment at Brakes Plus. I used it once on my DD - wasn't happy with the Brakes Plus service so haven't returned. In hindsight it might not have been all that bad, but just felt like they were trying to up-sell me a bunch of work I did not want (and don't think I needed at the time).

[QUOTE=ColoJeeper;327127]I suspect it is because your steering wheel is out of center. Have Discount check the alignment and center the steering wheel and I'll bet the light goes off and behaves correctly.[/QUOTE]
On jks its it well known that an uncentered steering wheel will cause the abs to come on. It is simple to adjust if its not rusted solid. Cant say as to cause unless they did an alignment too. Mine broke due to being frozen when adjustment was attempted during an alignment. Shop paid to fix it.

It's possible it's due to an uncentered steering wheel, but I find unlikely. Your traction control light would come on in 2wd during normal driving as well and would kick in, applying brakes as the ECU thinks it's sliding/skidding. Just dealt with this post lift myself. Not sure what would cause it after a tire install honestly. That being said I can assist in centering if need be. It's two 15mm bolts on the draglink, loosen both and rotate as needed to center wheel. Looking at it from the front, rotating up and back turns the wheel left, down and back turns the wheel right.

Any questions let me know!

The steering wheel is like 3:30 - 9:30 - Maverick - you took the words out of my mouth - how could it possibly be these issues if it is only 4WD lo - I just had a thought - it is turning on when traction is off. I can't remember if escoff is shown when in 4lo - can I safely drive around my neighborhood in 4lo so I can get more info?

Just reread your post. My jk it (esc off)is always on in 4 low. The light shows its disabled in 4 low. If its intermittent I would look to the wiring and socket for the lamp. I have never looked behind the dash. I am assuming there is wiring and some sort of socket for the bulb/led.

the light would be on in 2wd if it was the steering wheel.

[QUOTE=coleman07;327177]The steering wheel is like 3:30 - 9:30 - Maverick - you took the words out of my mouth - how could it possibly be these issues if it is only 4WD lo - I just had a thought - it is turning on when traction is off. I can't remember if escoff is shown when in 4lo - can I safely drive around my neighborhood in 4lo so I can get more info?[/QUOTE]
Yes you can drive around the neiborhood in 4 low. Should not hurt anything.

Don't make any sharp turns in 4 low on dry pavement.

[QUOTE=coleman07;327177]The steering wheel is like 3:30 - 9:30 - Maverick - you took the words out of my mouth - how could it possibly be these issues if it is only 4WD lo - I just had a thought - it is turning on when traction is off. I can't remember if escoff is shown when in 4lo - can I safely drive around my neighborhood in 4lo so I can get more info?[/QUOTE]

Couple things - As Tom said you very well can drive around your neighborhood in 4lo, that being said I would keep it very slow (not that you have a choice) and in straight lines as it can be very hard on the driveline otherwise. You're best bet is to find a gravel road/parking lot so if the tires need to slip to prevent undue strain, they can. Secondly, not sure why I didn't make it clear but you should be seeing your little traction light on the cluster come on in 4lo, as well as the EVIC display message "ESCOFF". This is intended.

The more I think about this I think I will have to agree with Tom in that it's like a wire/bulb/sensor. Could you clarify if the traction control light AND the "ESCOFF" message are intermittent? If only one, I feel that would coincide with a wire/bulb/sensor issue.

Lastly, depending on if the light/message is intermittent you can force one or the other to be off via the TC button on your dash - momentarily press for just TC, which is a partial off. Can be held for 5 seconds (4hi & 4lo only) for what's considered "full off" and that's denoted by the "ESCOFF" message over your odometer. That might be able to give you an idea under what situations it's being triggered or otherwise.

EDIT: If any of this information is wrong please correct me, it's earlier and i'm only on my first cup of coffee. :lmao:

This "spreadsheet" may have some helpful information in regarding the functionality of the ESC/TC systems in later model JKs.

Have you spoken with the shop that did the work to ask them why the steering wheel position is not as it was when you brought it to them?

Did you change tire size?

[quote=Maverick1872;327185]You're best bet is to find a gravel road/parking lot so if the tires need to sleep to prevent undue strain they can.[/quote]
[quote=newracer;327184]Don't make any sharp turns in 4 low on dry pavement.[/quote]

X3. Don't use 4wd on dry pavement unless you're going in a straight line.