[LowRange]

A recent post by "conrob" about TC and the big dunes of the Namib probed me to post this tip here as well. When you are having problems in deep sand or high dunes, you might wan't to try this.

There is a plug on the left hand side of the car, just behind the middle silencer. (See pics). This is the line for the left rear wheel ABS pick-up. (Easiest one of the four to reach!)

Simply pull out the plug and you'll see the ABS, ASC and TC lights come on as the system shuts down. The car drives like normal (without hese functions of cause!) You might wan't to cover the plug with with something while off-road, so that it's clean when you have to put it back.

To get everything back to normal, simply push the plug back in and everything will reset when you turn on the ignition and be fully operational for your return journey on tar.

Don't simply pull the ABS fuse. This does not inhibit the interference with your throttle, which cuts the power in conjunction with activating the ABS.

Use it with caution, only when needed, or dont use it!

I can vouch for this working very well on the Gen3. Maybe someone can check it out on the Gen4 and post some feedback.

Johan

ABSPick-upLine.JPG (4.84 KiB) Viewed 5246 times

[KaiV]

Johan

Can you post a lerger pic??? I cant see the small jgp very well.... (must be getting old )

I must say though, with my model, as soon as I put the RD on, the traction control switches off. Ja, ja, one is only supposed to use the difflock once one is stuck but that technique has never failed me to date.
Also, I found that the traction control in the desert did take away power (yes I know, it stops the wheels spinning.....) but, by taking power away, one lost momentum.

[Bigwill]

I found that the biggest problem in sand is caused by the Anti Skid Control (ASC) as it actually senses skids and slides typical of driving in sand. By throwing the switch on the centre console the ASC will be disabled, while Traction Control (TC) and ABS remains active. When low range is selected ASC is again automatically disabled, whilst ABS and TC remains active.

[LowRange]

Sorry Kai, my PC with this foto on is in for lightning damage repairs. Just follow the wires from the pick-up on the back wheel. Plug is easy to spot and access. Not on the front wheels though.



BigWill, I have found that just switching off the ASC doesn't realy make a big difference. Pulling the plug does!


Johan

[CATS]

I found that the biggest problem in sand is caused by the Anti Skid Control (ASC) as it actually senses skids and slides typical of driving in sand. By throwing the switch on the centre console the ASC will be disabled, while Traction Control (TC) and ABS remains active. When low range is selected ASC is again automatically disabled, whilst ABS and TC remains active.

Bigwill

The issue here is that sometimes one needs speed on sand, ie you need to be in High Range(4Hl). At a higher speed the Rear Difflock will also auto disengage (I think over 40km/h?) if my memory serves me correct, so using Kai's method of putting on the Rear difflock will also not work to disengage the ASC. With Lowrange's method you can be in 4 High lock and storm a HUGE Namib dune at speed with the ASC etc disabled, giving as much power to all the wheels as you feed it with the throttle. Technically the ASC disable switch on the dash should do the same in Hl, so don't know why Lowrange has experienced a definate difference with this method, over just using the switch, maybe the Traction control part of it does something as well? As you say, in Lowrange ASC is disabled in any case automatically.

Luckily my old 2001 model still does without all these fancy electronic aids like TC or ASC, so I have never had this issue. It does have ABS and this has never given me hassles on sand.

CATS

[LowRange]

Technically the ASC disable switch on the dash should do the same in Hl, so don't know why Lowrange has experienced a definate difference with this method, over just using the switch, maybe the Traction control part of it does something as well?

CATS

ASC is an "extension" of traction control. While ABS and Traction Control help manage the grip of the tyres by measuring the difference in speed and applying brakes to the spinning wheel, Stability Control helps prevent a car from sliding sideways. It uses the same components as the ABS and Traction Control systems, but Stability Control adds additional sensors and controls.

In other words, even with ASC switched off, you will still get braking from the TC System, which can be a nuisance in some (read - very few!) situations.

Johan

[Greg_SA]

Hi,

I have been playing in the dunes at Atlantis recently.

I think I'm doing everything possible to get the best out of the vehicle - disabled ASC and deflated to 0.8bar (still using the std Dueler HT).

I can get up most dunes just fine, but on some very steep dunes as I near the top do notice TC kicking in normally when I can't go further.

I'm keen to disable traction control as mentioned above and give it a try to compare. Has anyone fitted a switch in their vehicle to disable this?

I found a thread for a Gen 4 (I think?) that explains how to do this - it is in Arabic though
http://www.assayyarat.com/forums/thread117135.html

It looks like there is a harness that can be accessed in the center console near the radio?

I am sure I can still learn more from a driving skill point of view, but I'm curious if anyone can give their impressions of disabling TC?

Does anyone have a wiring diagram of the Gen 3 of Gen 4?

Cheers
Greg

[SimonB]

I can get up most dunes just fine, but on some very steep dunes as I near the top do notice TC kicking in normally when I can't go further.

I'm not sure diabling the traction control will help you in this situation... if you get to the top when TC is starting to work I would think that you've already run out of momentum, so I don't think it is a traction issue as such.

[Greg_SA]

I can get up most dunes just fine, but on some very steep dunes as I near the top do notice TC kicking in normally when I can't go further.

I'm not sure diabling the traction control will help you in this situation... if you get to the top when TC is starting to work I would think that you've already run out of momentum, so I don't think it is a traction issue as such.

Okay, I understand - I still have some momentum, but then the TC starts kicking in, and I evenually stop after a few meters. I have seen some other vehicles without TC, and they also slow down as the go up the dune, and you can see a reasonable amount of wheelspin as the slow down, but the evenually make it to the top.

Most of the dunes I have been staying in 2nd gear (tiptronic mode)... maybe I need to downshift to 1st at some point to keep the revs up more?

[4ePajero]

[Most of the dunes I have been staying in 2nd gear (tiptronic mode)... maybe I need to downshift to 1st at some point to keep the revs up more?

The moment you change gear, the vehicle stops!
You need the combination of momentum, gear and power to ensure that the engine rpm does not fall so far that the vehicle bogs down.

That is why there is the (justified) perception that petrol engines are more suited for dune driving than diesel engines.
Petrol engines have a wider range of rpm to use. They can start at 6000rpm at the bottom and top out doing 3000rpm (3000rpm range).
Diesels might start at 4000 (ouch!) but would not be able to tolerate a 3000 rpm drop.

The newer TDi engines (eg the Di-D) have so much torque over the smaller rpm range, that they actually compete with the petrol engines.