ESP kill switch

[Number7 89]

I've been reading about the traction control system on JK's. It won't allow wheel spin in 4x4 high range. If you need wheel speed in the mud or snow or even climbing steep loose hills, the JK will pulse the brake. This could lead to getting stuck or even rolling down a hill. I am concidering a kill switch to disable the traction control system for offroad use only. I have seen several write ups on this. My question to fellow JK owners is: has anyone done this mod, and how do you like it?

 

G

[ChrisD 24]

Hi G,

 

I am pretty much interested in this mod, too, but we did not do it so far. It always kills me in the sand, when the ESP starts breaking (even with ESP turned off sign on in the dash).

 

Are you planning to do the locker mod also ? I have it and I like it.

[Number7 89]

Hi G,

 

I am pretty much interested in this mod, too, but we did not do it so far. It always kills me in the sand, when the ESP starts breaking (even with ESP turned off sign on in the dash).

 

Are you planning to do the locker mod also ? I have it and I like it.

 

Hey Chris, I have a Superchips Trail Dash that allows me to turn my lockers on how I choose.

 

G:cool:

[ChrisD 24]

Hey Chris, I have a Superchips Trail Dash that allows me to turn my lockers on how I choose.

 

G:cool:

 

Ah, ok. I am not using such a gadget, so I had to use two of my SPod switches to activate the lockers independently.

[Russ Chung 54]

I've been reading about the traction control system on JK's. It won't allow wheel spin in 4x4 high range. If you need wheel speed in the mud or snow or even climbing steep loose hills, the JK will pulse the brake. This could lead to getting stuck or even rolling down a hill. I am concidering a kill switch to disable the traction control system for offroad use only. I have seen several write ups on this. My question to fellow JK owners is: has anyone done this mod, and how do you like it?

 

G

 

George,

 

You misunderstand what traction control does for you. It has exactly the same effect as a limited slip differential when you are in 4Hi. If you are climbing a loose, steep hill, you don't want wheel spin, you want the wheel that has traction to get the power. Traction control does the same thing that a limited slip diff does; it reduces the amount of wheel spin so that the wheel that has traction gets more power. When you are going downhil, traction control doesn't affect the braking; it is the hill control feature that controls your downhill speed. Besides, when you are going down a steep hill, you never want to lock your brakes because then you have no control over your Jeep; you become just a passenger in an out of control Jeep. If you ever get into that condition, you want to feather your brakes instead of locking them up; that way, you can control what you run over (or run into) instead of just being a passenger!

 

Russ

[theksmith 5,778]

George,

 

You misunderstand what traction control does for you. It has exactly the same effect as a limited slip differential when you are in 4Hi. If you are climbing a loose, steep hill, you don't want wheel spin, you want the wheel that has traction to get the power. Traction control does the same thing that a limited slip diff does; it reduces the amount of wheel spin so that the wheel that has traction gets more power. When you are going downhil, traction control doesn't affect the braking; it is the hill control feature that controls your downhill speed. Besides, when you are going down a steep hill, you never want to lock your brakes because then you have no control over your Jeep; you become just a passenger in an out of control Jeep. If you ever get into that condition, you want to feather your brakes instead of locking them up; that way, you can control what you run over (or run into) instead of just being a passenger!

 

Russ

 

the ESP system is a lot more complex than just "traction control" in the JK... Jeep now refers to that part of the stability system as BLD (brake lock differential), and it is based on differences in wheel speed detected by the ABS tone rings.

 

however, the JK also senses the position of the steering wheel and has an accelerometer that can sense the precise movement of the vehicle. this is where the other part of stability system comes in, which many find annoying when driving offroad in certain conditions. my oversimplification is that the computer thinks it knows which way you mean to be traveling and if it senses you sliding your azz around then it will try to correct your path by applying selective braking. this is great on road, but may not work as intended when offroad in sand, snow, or mud (and driving with a little "spirit").

 

this quote from another forum better explains some of the features in question:

 

During Understeer: In an understeer situation, the front end of the car tends to slide out. ESP automatically applies the inside, rear brake to help you acheive your desired turn. It may also reduce the engine's power.

 

During Oversteer: In an oversteer situation, the rear end of the car tends to slide out or "fishtail". ESP automatically applies the outside, front brake to help you correct "fishtailing".

 

there's even more to the stability control including a trailer anti-sway feature.

 

for current JKs (or older models with an ECU update), there are 3 ways to turn "off" the ESC with varying effects. 1) press the ESC button, 2) or press and hold the ESC button for 7 seconds, 3) or do the "steering wheel dance" - i don't remember exactly what different features each method disables, but they also depend on whether you are in 4wd or not and your overall speed as to how exactly they work.

 

i believe George is thinking of doing the mod where you put a switch to cut power to the accelerometer. this prevents the under/oversteer corrections from happening but leaves ABS and BLD features intact. i do wonder if it would impact the airbag system or if those modules have their own individual accelerometers?

 

UPDATE: this post (#5) better explains the various parts of the stability system and how it behaves with the button/speed/4x4 mode, etc.: http://www.wranglerforum.com/f274/2014-esc-off-procedures-have-changed-508969.html#post7842457

[klaykrusher 65]

^^^^ Damn, and I thought it was just my suck-azz drivin'.....