Traction Control actuator... AGAIN
 

Hi traction control victims.
I am wondering if the traction control motors in Rover 75s (Actuaqtor-Secondary part# SWY 1000030 ) are just badly build using plastic cog teeth or there is a external factor that causes the cogs to get their teeth ripped off??? Something to do with the cable set up or dirty manifold or or ???:confused:

I have just installed my third one in 3 years.:mad: At 300+ Euro a pop.
After searching a few posts I dismantled the two broken units using the tips in this thread from another forum http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=172482 :bowdown: and found broken plastic cog teeth in both. :banghead:
The good news, different broken cogs in each unit so, I carefully rebuilt one working unit taking care to get the spring loaded cog properly set up. Now I have a new unit in the car and a spare repaired one for the next disaster and hopefully less expensive experience.

I have not had any problems in over 100,000 miles (touch wood)
Unless it doesn't effect the diesels the same?

I had to change mine two years ago. My current one developed an extra noise a couple of months back - when i turn on the ignition, the T/C actuator does its test cycle (on-off-on-off) with a horrible clack-clack-clacketi-clack noise. Every third time or so the T/C warning light stays on after startup. A restart of the engine (again with the horrible noise from the actuator) usually cures this. I have cleaned the electric connections to the actuator and cleaned the sensors on the intake side, but this didn't cure the problem. I suppose I would need a new actuator (again). If the TC could be disconnected without lighting up the warning it would the best solution.

BTW the TC actuator is compeletely interchangable with a BMW part, at least here in Finland the BMW part was about half the price of the Rover part.

I have this nagging thought that something must freeze the unit temporarily and thus lead to pressure on the cog teeth.
Can't think what though.
The unit is built by Bosch so I expect the BMW units come from them too. What does a BMW unit cost?
I only wish they had built them with metal gears instead of breakable plastic.
The clack clack noise you describe does sound like the gears are stuck and jumping cogs.
I didn't hear any noise in mine just the light came on to indicate a fault each time the unit packed it in.
When I opened them up I found two or three broken teeth loose inside. I even tried to break a tooth to see how tough they were and found it quite easy. NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD- quality.

The BMW part was about 270 euros if I remeber correctly. The Rover one was 600 euros+!

Yikes I've been robbed.....again. :-) Helping to solve the EU financial crisis I guess.
More tax tax tax for your clack clack clack

Thats crazy.
Latest EPC shows it at:
Part Number: SWY100030 Actuator-secondary throttle £319.55 + VAT
(One to many 0 in your number) ;)

Well £320 + tax + p&p + retailers margins = €€€€. I'll get another BMW actuator then.

Do you know the BMW part #?
Just in case that is.
You probably detected a touch of pessimism with that request. One unit every year etc.
No, my repaired unit will hold up if I ever need it. ;-)

I can have a look at the old bill tonight and see if the part # was mentioned there.

Part number according to the invoice is 35411162548, which when put into a BMW part number search engine shows up as "Throttle", which is odd, but price seems to match, about 330 USD.

It comes under the throttle department as it manages the throttle opening on the main throttle body

That part number is correct as you can see here

Thanks for that chaps .I will note down the BMW part#
I know why it comes under throttle, that is what you feel like doing when you see the bill for a bit of plastic moulding, a motor armature and two teeth spitting gears. :-)

Oh brilliant. After writing in this thread the TC hasn't worked at all. I get the clacketi-clack on strtup but theb the warning light stays on. Can this unit easily be opened and is it fixable? Or is it off to the BMW dealership again...

Yes it can be.
 

Hi Fille
Sorry to hear that you have caught the TC klackiti clack flu too.

The TC unit is fixable and as I referred to in an earlier post a few days back in this thread, you can open it up. Even if you open the tiny flap door and check if the cable gear moves with a bit of pressure, you can't see the broken teeth and must unplug remove the whole unit. (two small bolts)
See this post from another forum http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=172482 :bowdown:

I used this approach to get at the cogs. Broken gear teeth seems to be the main issue. He actually molded new teeth with some tough stuff and shaped them. I luckily:banghead: had 2 faulty units and was able to salvage two good gears :D and construct one fully working unit. The smaller gear is spring loaded so remove with care and take note how it is set up before you let the spring pop out. Fiddly bit.

Good luck

Having read this thread, I thought I might add my experience.
My TC icon came on intermittently, and after a few weeks it was on permanently. Then I heard a fluttering sound on every startup and thought I had something stuck in the induction system. I explored and found the Secondary Throttle Cable broken, with some fraying, at the T C actuator gear, but no broken teeth.
Got that fixed and no flutter, no icon, but now, two weeks later, the icon comes on occasionally whilst driving along in good conditions. Looked under the little flap on the actuator and no damage visible - yet.
Just thought you might be interested. Any comment anyone???

I can replicate those gears (in plastic) if this is a common problem. I will not guarantee steel strength but at least they will be cheap. Is it a big job to change them ? (I don't have cruise control on my car)

Hi

Partnos:

BMW 354111625482
Bosch 0205005010

Easy to change.

Here's a very cheap link:

http://cgi.ebay.de/BMW-E38-E39-Temom...d=p3286.c0.m14


Cheers Frank

Did anyone notice the actuator repair kit listed in Greeners link? ;)

18.70 euros :D part no. 35 41 1 161 430

Wonder what it contains?

Russ

Do we have traction control on our diesels?

Mick

Do we ?

Mick

Yes it was available as an option on diesels but uses a different simpler system as it's fly by wire.:D

No worries about the actuator as the diesels don't have one ;)

Russ

Is it a possible retro-fit, as mine is a big handful trying to launch out of a wet junction?

Mick

Someone ?

Mick

Mick

Anything is possible....

I think on the diesel you need to change the ABS module, probably a bit of wiring and some ZCS codes...

mm ok do all petrol v6s have this? only asking as i am able to light up the tyres if needed but it soon controls itself

Only if you've got the button on the dash panel

It contains a cap or cover and what appears to be a big rubber band. It does not contain any replacement gears. :(

Rover 75, 2001, 2.5 Auto
------------------------
What sought of car places the car in traction control when you hit a pothole, and does not release until the ignition is switched off? A b.....y dangerous Rover does!
So far the 4 abs sensors, the abs module, the 4 shocks have been replaced.

Can you disconnect the traction control by removing the cable from the actuator?
Can a setting be changed in software, such as increasing the time allowed for wheel spin?

Pressing the button will disable TC and show a warning light on the cluster to say its off.

I presume the replacement abs module was the correct TC version?