Driving from NY to Boston under dry conditions, suddenly a very brief sound and jolt like I just threw the car in reverse. After that the Traction control warning light came on. I pulled over expecting the worst. The car drove fine without any problems the rest of the way, the only thing I noted was that the light went off when I stopped the car and only came back on at highway speed.
Anyone have any idea what in the world that was?
Thanks in adv.

 

It sounds like something broke off, got momentarily jammed, then came out. Or, it could have been some road debris that got jammed. There are too many possibilities to guess. You need to put it up on jack stands and crawl around underneath (or take it to a mechanic who can put it on a lift) and see what looks broken.

Good luck,

Bob

 

Yep -- Probably screwed up a wheel sensor.

You didn't say if you came up through CT or if you were on the Mass Pike. If it was CT I would sugest that you hit a pot hole and the wheel fell off . If it was the Mass pike I would sugest that you lost the whole front of the car. If you drove thru RI - your lucky to be alive!

 

Thanks for the info. If the ESP system is not working, is it safe to say that one could just live without? I can't imagine trying to get in and fix something like that would not cost an arm and leg.

 

You probably hit something on the road... Unless you have flashing ESP it shouldn't impact your everyday driving. You may want to hook it up to VAGcom and see what the trouble code is. It maybe as simple as clearing the code.

 

I second the wheel sensor. The damn things are very sensitive and a clunk just moved it slightly

 

a wheel speed sensor would be consistent........

i bet its a brake light switch.

 

Not necessarily so, When I was doing some suspension stuff I didn't get it back in just so and it would only come on once I topped 40 mph. The adjustment makes it somewhat speed dependant, and it took me awhile to get it just right.

 

Actually, the sensation would be better described as the engine or trans grinding violently for about 1/2 a second. It seems like everyone is thinking something lodged in there... Good info however--will look under and see if there are any surprises