How To Reset Service AdvanceTrac?

Cars show service avdanceTrac warning light due to faulty wheel speed sensors, damaged wiring harness or mismatched tires. Do you know how to reset service advanceTrac? It will help you to remove this error message from car dashboard.

In this case, you can clear stored error code using a scanner, clean wheel speed sensor, or disconnect battery. You may also need to visit mechanic shop if any internal issue triggering this error light.

How To Reset Service AdvanceTrac Warning Light Error?

AdvanceTrac system consists of an anti-lock brake system, electronic system and traction control system. It helps driver to maintain control over the vehicle, particularly during driving under challenging road conditions by preventing rollover.

However, this system can malfunction and trigger a service advanceTrac warning light. Though internal issues require repair or replacement, you can try resetting the system in following ways to remove the warning light:

1. Disconnect The Battery

Disconnecting battery reset all electronics including advanceTrac. So if you don’t have an expensive scanner tool or want to resolve the issue without repair, you can try this technique to reset the warning light from dash.

To do this:

• Run engine for a minimum of 30 minutes. Then shut off car engine.
• Remove cables from the battery terminal and hold them together for one minute.
• Reconnect the cables to battery and start your car.
• If the warning light remains, use a scan tool to determine stored code and fix it accordingly.

Alternative:

• Turn the ignition on keeping the motor off.
• Disconnect battery for at least five minutes keeping the ignition in position.
• Reconnect the battery and turn on your vehicle.
• This should clear the stored error code and turn off the illuminated AdvanceTrac light.

2. Clean ABS Sensor

ABS sensor detects the tire’s spinning speed and is mostly responsible for causing service advanceTrac light. If you want to reset service advanceTrac light most cheaply and simply, unbolt ABS sensors and clean them properly.

ABS sensors are magnetic and collect metal shards and brake dust. So cleaning the ABS sensors should clear the error light.

3. Disassemble Wheel Speed Sensor

A loose wheel speed sensor bolt prevents the sensor from sending data to the ECU. It can trigger the service advanceTrac light. So you can tighten the wheel speed sensor bolt to remove advanceTrac light.

You’ll need to disassemble both front and rear wheel speed sensors as either of them can cause the issue. Though it’s a tiresome process, it should work. The process

• With the car in neutral, jack it up or position it on a hoist and secure the front part.
• Disconnect electrical connector from wheel speed sensor.
• Remove three-wheel speed sensor harness retainers and two-wheel speed sensor grommet retainers from brake hose clips. In rear end, you’ll need to remove two sensor pin-type retainers and two sensor grommet retainers from hose clips.
• Disconnect wheel sensor bolt, sensor, and harness assembly.
• Tighten the sensor bolt to 15 Nm and re-install all parts.

4. Use Scanner Tool

If neither of those techniques works, your car may have faulty parts that cause the error light. If so, there might be fault codes stored in the computer. Use an OBD-II scan tool to find and clear the codes like C116AARE.

The error light should go out. You may also need a mechanic’s help to repair or replace faulty parts to clear the stored code.

How To Fix Service AdvanceTrac Warning Light Error Message?

If resetting the system doesn’t work, you’ll need to repair or replace the faulty parts that trigger the service advanceTrac light. Let’s understand what causes service AdvanceTrac to come on and how to fix them:

1. Check Wheel Speed Sensor

Each wheel has a speed sensor that detects the tire’s spinning speed. The ECU uses this data to determine the route of the vehicle. If wheel speed sensor gets misaligned, damaged, or dirty, ECU won’t receive data and activates service advancetrac light.

If so, clean the sensor first and then realign it. If the light remains, repair or replace the sensors.

2. Install Compatible Wheels Or Tires

Tire size or wheel modifications affect car’s stability control system. if you have recently installed a mismatched tire in your car, it can deliver different readings to sensor and cause a warning light. If so, check and make sure all four tires are compatible with your car’s model and year.

3. Replace Broken Clock Spring

Clock springs deliver power to the steering wheel buttons, sensors and airbags. A broken spiral cable or clock spring can prevent these components from delivering a right signal to the ECU. If so, check for symptoms like airbag warning light or broken wheel controls and replace the damaged part.

4. Deactivate Limp Mode

If your car receives abnormal signals from components like faulty sensors or a damaged transmission system, it can activate limp mode. Limp mode can then trigger advancedTrac warning light to alert you and ensure slow and careful drive. If so, diagnose your car by hiring an expert mechanic to determine and fix underlying issue to deactivate limp mode.

5. Replace Ground Or Wiring Issue

Bad ground or a wiring harness can get disconnected, loose or damaged and trigger all problems related to the wheel sensors including service advanceTrac warning light. To fix this issue, ensure all ground straps are attached with a tight and clean connection. Use a wiring diagram to track the source of the issue.

Can You Drive With Service AdvanceTrac Warning Light On?

You shouldn’t continue driving with active service advanceTrac warning light as it can affect stabilitrak control system. Though you won’t face many problems on sunny days, it’ll be challenging to drive in inclement weather with advanceTrac warning light. Your car won’t get much grip on road surfaces during icy wet, or snowy conditions.

AdvanceTrac system prevents skidding and provides better control over the vehicle, particularly in tough road conditions. So driving with an error light can cause your vehicle to roll over in adverse road conditions.

Your car won’t also remain very stable during making sudden or sharp turns. So if your car shows a service advanceTrac light on display, try resetting the system. You can also carefully drive the car to the nearest auto repair shop to diagnose and fix the underlying problem to clear the warning light.

How Much Does it Cost To Fix Service AdvanceTrac?

On average, it can cost around $100 or $500 to fix advanceTrac issue. Cost of repairing service advanceTrac problem varies depending on the faulty parts, car model, and mechanic shop.

For example, if you need to replace a damaged wheel speed sensor to clear a warning light, it can cost around $209 to $265 including labor charges and parts prices.

But the cost can rise from $417 to $439 if mechanic needs to replace broken clock spring. Similarly, replacing faulty wiring harnesses can cost between $200 and $400 to disappear service advanceTrac light.

FAQs

Final Words

Hope you understand how to reset service advanceTrac warning light without visiting mechanic shop. Resetting the system should disappear the advanceTrac light if a simple sensor fault triggered this issue.

But if a damaged sensor, broken clock spring or faulty wiring harness causes this warning light, bring the car to an auto repair shop. Don’t avoid this error light particularly if you want to enjoy safer and more comfortable driving even in rough road conditions or in zigzag roads.