I won't argue the legality ( other lawyer types are dying to do it for
me...)
But I will suggest that you look at the circuit diagram before you start the
mod. Most modern cars use switches to send info to a CPU. The CPU then
enables or disables what the switch supposedly controls.
Probably the CPU turns on traction control at startup.
1 ) The traction control switch is momentary normally open. First impulse
turns it off, a second impulse may turn it on.
Or
2 ) The traction control switch is normally closed. Opening it turns off
traction control
Or
3) The traction control switch is normally open. Closing it turns off
traction control
Or
4 ) The traction control switch is momentary normally closed. First open
turns it off, a second open may turn it on.
Or
5 ) Before engine start the computer checks the traction control system for
normal operation. If it fails then engine will not start or an idiot light
comes on.
Or
Some other scheme.
The bottom line is without the diagram you are working in the dark and your
mod may have unintended consequences ( a nice way of saying you might F***
up the car ). Isn't it easier to remember to turn it off ( I had this in my
Audi A4 last year. It became part of my in-cockpit checklist... "Door locks,
windows, mirrors, belts, helmet, traction control" )
Regards,
Alan
On Wednesday, June 16, 1999 3:44 PM, Brian M Kennedy [SMTP:kennedy@i2.com]
wrote:
> This one is not just rhetorical...
>
> My car has traction control that can be turned off with a
> toggle switch. And I always want it _off_ when I autox.
>
> Whenever you start the car, the traction control is _on_.
> I find this very _inconvenient_ and would like to change it.
> But would others consider it a performance advantage and not
> applicable under the Comfort & Convenience rules???
>
> Can I:
>
> 1) replace the toggle switch with a mechanical on/off such
> that it does not come back on unless I switch it back on??
>
> 2) modify the switch such that when the car starts it is off
> and you have to press the toggle to make it come on??
>
> I call it "convenience" with no effect on either performance or
> handling and no weight reduction -- thus legal.
>
> Do any of you disagree?
>
>
> Brian
>
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