Author Topic: Completely dead car battery leads to DCS (traction control) light <fixed>  (Read 657 times)

FIREin2018

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Forgot to turn off something plugged into my cigarette lighter, which is ALWAYS on for my car, before I flew for my vacation. :(

My palm sized 400A lithium jump starter only had 75% charge left. I havent charged it since 2023.
but I figured it was enough. NOPE.
Tried twice and now the jump starter is at 1 bar.

Charged it over night.
Connected it to the battery and pressed the 'Boost' button on the jumper to turn the light green like i usually do.
Then went to start the car. NOTHING HAPPENED. Not even a failed crank.

The green light wouldnt stay on for the jump starter. It went back to flashing after a second.
That's a first after using this jumper for years on the same car.
And i didn't have that problem last night.
Tried several more times. Same.

Then I remembered I bought 1200A jump starter last year as a backup for when the 400A would die. (Bought the 400A pre-covid)
It was only at 60% charge but tried it.
Pressed the 'Boost' button and the light stayed green.
My car started!

But there were lights on my dashboard:
TPMS (tires pressure) and DCS (Traction control)

Google says that happens when the battery is completely dead.
I guess that's why the  400A jumper couldn't start the car.
Sidenote: I didn't have the  dashboard lights problem when I changed out my battery 2 yrs ago. But it only took 5 min to change it vs leaving the car overnight with a completely dead battery.

Pic of the instructions for the fix below.

I turned the steering wheel to the left about 1/2 way then it stopped as if i turned it to the max?!?
And another light appeared on my dash. Yikes!!!
When i turn the steering the other way, that light went away. I kept turning to the right but didn't turn it to the max because that new dashboard light freaked me out. I put the wheels back to straight forward position.
Hopefully that didn't screw with reset limits of the DSC traction control?

Left the car running idle for 15min then turned it off.
Would not turn back on. :(
Jumped it again with the 1200A.
tpms and dsc lights went away!

Left it idle for 10 more min then went to the gas station (5min away) because i was low on gas and all this idling didn't help.
Turned car off, Filled up and car again wouldn't start. Tried the 400A jumper this time and it worked.
Drove randomly for 15min, parked and turned car off.
Car restarted on it's own, but BARELY!

So it takes 45min of charging a completely dead battery before it can start on it own again.

Lessons learned:
Don't jump a partially dead battery with a 400A jumper that's at 75%. That will lead to the battery being completely dead and a fully charged 400A jumper won't jump that.
My 1200A jumper ($25 on sale) at 60% > 400A jumper ($20 on sale) at 100%.
The 400A jumper is now my backup
« Last Edit: November 17, 2024, 01:08:57 PM by FIREin2018 »

TimCFJ40

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Re: Completely dead car battery leads to DCS (traction control) light <fixed>
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2024, 07:27:15 AM »
This thread probably belongs in the DIY forum, but one useful note for future would be car mechanics.

Most cars will show a number of lights anytime a check engine code is registered, often including the traction control, abs, and other system malfunctions.  This doesn't necessarily mean that any of those systems are the actual problem. 

Ensuring the battery is up to snuff is a good first start, as many systems may throw a code with low input voltage.

That said, if that doesn't work, you almost always have to get a code reader to know the real reason behind the lights.  There are hundreds of different codes, and on many cars all of them present the same "Christmas Tree" of varied lights on the dash.   You can buy a basic OBDII code reader from Amazon or Harbor Freight or many other sources for under $50.  Armed with the actual malfunction codes, you can usually google the make, model, year, and code and find very good information, often including how to videos on resolving the issue.  Also, most auto parts stores will read your codes for free, but the staff and their capabilities at most auto parts stores these days are usually very limited. 

Almost every automotive enthusiast forum is littered with "XXX lights are on on my dash, what does it mean?" questions, followed by a bunch of unrelated solutions because the lights are completely ambiguous without the codes behind them.  Beyond the very basics (battery, loose gas cap, etc), you're always going to need the codes read to find the actual problem.

If your problem returns, definitely get the codes read and follow the exact codes to the solution.  Otherwise you risk doing a bunch of unnecessary work fixing things that might cause the same three lights to come on. 


Just Joe

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Re: Completely dead car battery leads to DCS (traction control) light <fixed>
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2024, 02:39:30 PM »
Don't know what you know but maybe this will be helpful info:

It might be worthwhile to buy a light duty battery charger if you don't drive the car daily.

https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/battery-tools-accessories/battery-chargers-maintainers/4amp-fully-automatic-microprocessor-controlled-battery-chargermaintainer-63350.html

Boost the car off with your jump starter and then put a charger like this on the battery to top it off if you aren't planning to drive around for an hour to let the car top off the battery.
Not sure if your 400A booster is a battery charger or a portable battery pack.

Anyhow, I own x3 of these HF battery chargers and they have been fine. Used them to charge my antique 36V electric lawn tractor two 6V batteries in series at a time.I charge up until the charger is done but I don't let it trickle charge all the time. Sometimes 24+ hours if I plan to use the tractor two days in a row.

You may find that in a month or so your 12V battery may decline. They usually recover from one or two complete discharge cycles but any more, and it affects the longevity of the battery. Keep your booster charged! FYI most auto parts stores will charge and load test your battery for free. They can even test your alternator during the same test.

Best of luck to you.