Traction Control Switch Replacement Cost Estimate

Diagnosing the traction control switch is simple. The first thing any technician will do when the traction control warning lamp is active is to press and hold the traction control switch to determine if the system is just turned off. If this does nothing, further diagnostics will be performed, but when other components show no faults, the switch may be suspected. Testing the switch will involve removing the switch, leaving it connected electronically, and back probing the connector to determine continuity when pressed and released. If there is no continuity in the switch when pressed, the switch will be replaced.

Replacement will require removal of the switch from the panel it is mounted to. This may mean removing the trim panel to access hidden mounting fasteners or simple popping the switch out of its housing with a non-marring interior pry tool. Once replaced, any trim panel can be reinstalled, and the switch will be pressed to prove the customer complaint is resolved.

RepairPal is a strong advocate for diagnosis. It is very easy to absorb excess costs by replacing parts without testing them for failure. The first step that an owner can take is to turn off and restart the vehicle to see if the warning lamp turns off, followed by holding the traction control switch for several seconds. If neither works, diagnosis should be performed prior to replacing any components.

Not all vehicles will have a traction control switch, and those that do are not meant to be driven with the traction control permanently turned off. This creates a hazardous situation, and removes added safety components that have such a good track record that they are considered standard equipment on nearly all vehicles. For the sake of safety, only disable the traction control system when absolutely necessary or when driving off-road.

Diagnosing the traction control switch will likely not help locate the issue with the traction control system, but in the rare occasion that the traction control switch is the issue, may DIY mechanics with a multimeter can handle this repair quite easily. This is one of the easier component replacements, so there should be no real issue with removal and installation when the part is known to be faulty.