Traction control lights?!?!?!

[whalejr31]

Hey guys this is my first post so i hope im doing this correctly but today as i was driving home from work i has my "BAS" and traction lights come on randomly and i checked my owners manual to find that saying it is indicating a problem with either of those 2 systems...its a 2007 compass 4x4 sport and i was wondering if anyone else has this problem...this car i bought from the dealers about a week ago and i havent even gone through a tank of gas so im gonna take it back so hopefully they can fix it but until then any idea or similar problems? any help would be appriciated thanks!

[i2canoe]

Welcome . . . we are welcoming happily new owners of previously owned vehicles . . . now we will start to see how the Compass really does stand up.
While it is great to get members raving about how much they are enjoying their brand new Jeeps, it will be interesting as we get the impressions of new owners of cars with mileage and inherent troubles.
I am sure one of our knowledgeable contributors will have an insight to your query. . again welcome.

[Skyeye]

Easy fix via the code computer. Dealer in and out. Tust me.

[jakedrew]

Get the problem fixed?


so what is the problem and how do they fix it.

Is this something i can do on my own?


I have a 07 compass and the 4x4 light comes on while driving for no reason. ?
thanks
jake

[Lunch Box]

I know it may sound obvious but I have to ask: did you flip the paddle to turn on four wheel drive? lol

[lochinprc]

Aha...There are tricks to fix some of the lights that come on for no reason on models without EVIC.. Eg if your 4wd light is staying on all the time, try holding the lever up for about 5-10 seconds, and it should go off.Now, if it comes back on soon you know you have a problem with your 4wd. Same goes for ABS i think, try holding the ESP button down and see if that fixes it...Again, if it comes back on soon (while driving etc) then you probably have a problem there!

Hope this helps

[whalejr31]

Hey guys the light went of the next day the book said it was a problem with either the BAS system or the traction system but since the lights went off the book said not to worry about it so i havent and havent had any trouble with it since then. Thanks for all your posts i feel bad because i totally forgot this happened but thank you for all the help!

[tripplec]

When a wheel slip/spin is detected the rear 4x4 is automatically engaged as needed. I bought my 09 used and have not had it out on slippery surfaces yet. It may have spun a bit up front(driving wheels) and engaged the rear wheel drive(as it suppose to do) indicating that slippery road symbol on the dash when it does so that you don't get too carried away with your driving.

I know a friend with a Honda Ridgeline which has the same type of system. the manaul explains what the specific indicators mean. You can of course ask the service people at a dealer as well for further clarification.

[VRAX2]

i have a 4x4 2.5 2008 north cvt compass. the owner manual states if you hold the esp button for five seconds with engine running in park...it would turn that system off completely, and it would say ESP off where the odometer is displaysed...mine doesn't do anything when i hold the button down...it just toggles the slippery road symbol off and on...i also have the TPMS on my compass...but i don't have the second display in my dash...so does the system indicate which tire is low? or do we have to check each one?

[tripplec]

As per the manual and my understanding the ESP button it there to turn it off (a toggle) and the symbol appears on the dash to inform you that it is off. I should be turned off on snow covered roads, deep snow, when stuck and others to prevent it from fighting with the powertrain getting you going. You know by lookiing it slippery already. Normally its on and saves you in surprising situations of slipping out in turns, black ice and others. I'd have to read it again.

You may also have traction control as well and 4WD to assist. I see your build is with 4WD.

[smokey01]

VARAX, I had this same problem and fought with the dealership for almost a year before I went to another and recieved a computer flash to repair the problem. Here's a link to the TSB

http://www.wkjeeps.com/misc/Patriot/TSB/tsb_0500309.pdf

[tripplec]

I asked about the software on mine and the automatically hook it up and its checked with Chrylsers systems directly to see if an update if available for any subsystem. Clearly the dealer is not hooking the computer to the support system as I am told they do.

time to get another dealer to check this especially if under warranty or if you already did it while under warranty call customer service and have them force the dealer to comply and do the update.

[tripplec]

I just got my Compass back from the dealer fixing my outside temp display finally after 3 previous servicings of this. I check the function and the ESP OFF does come on after 5 sec or so. I am not certain how this differs from just pushing the button quickly which shows the logo skidding on the screen.

I had a real murphy event series having to return 4 times to get manufunctions in the climit cluster working, all within the hour. finally home now and breathing as sigh with a cold one.

[dgage246]

Originally Posted by tripplec

As per the manual and my understanding the ESP button it there to turn it off (a toggle) and the symbol appears on the dash to inform you that it is off. I should be turned off on snow covered roads, deep snow, when stuck and others to prevent it from fighting with the powertrain getting you going. You know by lookiing it slippery already. Normally its on and saves you in surprising situations of slipping out in turns, black ice and others. I'd have to read it again.

You may also have traction control as well and 4WD to assist. I see your build is with 4WD.

I know the ESP works on black ice! and it works quite well too!

[tripplec]

I haven't experienced it yet. But I will have to go over the manual in the winter to fully understand the advantage either way.


Cheers

[smokey01]

I use mine in deep snow and in mud,it seems to work really well by keeping the power split 50% between the front and rear wheels.

[lochinprc]

Originally Posted by tripplec

I am not certain how this differs from just pushing the button quickly which shows the logo skidding on the screen.

I think someone may have already covered this but anyway: No light means full-time ESP. Quick press (slippery light) means emergency ESP, reminding u to be careful, u are now driving without constant ESP. And 5 sec press (ESP OFF light) means that U have turned ESP completely off, and ur 4x4 LOCK can run with no ESP interference. Thats how they differ!

[lochinprc]

Ahh.. this is great. I just tried turning ESP off on mine. Nothing happened when I held the button down for 5-10 seconds. However, when I hold it down for more than 20 seconds, the Slippery road light goes off and wont come on again for a few minutes. Its a bit confusing. I think I will have to get the dealership to check it out...Hopefully they can flash the unit.

[smokey01]

If you don't get a chime and the "ESP OFF" on the odometer then it isn't working properly. A quick trip to a stealership that's willing to do the flash will solve the problem.

[VRAX2]

Originally Posted by smokey01

VARAX, I had this same problem and fought with the dealership for almost a year before I went to another and recieved a computer flash to repair the problem. Here's a link to the TSB

thanks for your input...im gonna head to the dealership i need a tune up before i drive out for september long weekend

[VRAX2]

so i went to the dealer on friday the 13th at 10:00am. had service check out the ESP issue, and had them do some summer maintenance pkg (oil changed, tires rotated, etc) since they offered a free 'mopar' 2G usb stick keychain with any of their specials.

i was prepared and had a book, played some sudoku from the local papers, watch some people on tv enter Canada on a boat, etc.

i then bought some touch up paint and checked out the 2010 lineup, distracted sales from talking to other customers, got service to drive me to my work and back so i could pick up a replacement backup battery for my office pc (since mine crapped out from the storm, my house probably got hit by lightning? )

problem is I was with my Lady and we left at 2:30pm. the TSB is a 20min job and service shouldn't need the extra 4 hours

good thing my Girl worked as a service advisor, we managed get everything done for free since we lost quarter of our day waiting. she never wants to go back there, i don't mind cuz its the closest one to our house.

anyways, im at 59 200km+ any other issues I should check out before I drive out september long to Minneapolis? google says 8 hour drive. any issues i should look up before my warranty expires?

*** WARNING= if you need to move around any lumber, make sure its 8 ft or less!!! I tried to fit 10ft length and i now need a new windshield. ***