[OAC_Sparky]

NefCanuck,Dec 16 2007, 01:07 PM Wrote:Am I dealing with an electrical short or a battery on its way to dying?  (This is the original OE battery, car build date is Sept 04 so it is possible, though the car is still starting and running fine :blink:)
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No, you are dealing with an undervoltage condition that is causing warnings in your secondary systems. (Despite popular belief, once the car is started it doesn't NEED the battery at all. It's not a great idea, but you could take the battery right out while it was running.)

While the TC light is normal (when slipping), the ABS light should only come on at startup and when there is a problem with the system. When the ABS light is on when driving, your ABS is bypassed and you have normal power brakes with no ABS. It could be that the system senses the undervoltage condition and recognizes that it doesn't have the power to modulate the brakes; and since the TC is an extension of the ABS, that light comes on, too.

Likely you have a charging/regulation problem, or a loose connection somewhere. I'm laying money on the alternator.

If I were you, I would take it in before the Christmas break before you have an issue -- because you know that the shiiiaaat will hit the fan on XMas eve when everything's closed. It's Murphy's Law.