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REALLY disabling ESP / Traction Control, etc...

89K views 34 replies 17 participants last post by  DWDK 
#1 ·
First of all, HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! My question is, has anyone had any luck COMPLETELY disabling the traction control and all the other nanny functions without cutting any wires or pulling any fuses? Yes, I know about all the techniques to do it, but it seems like it never really fully turns off according to those who have done it. If you do manage to get it completely disabled, I've read that you cannot disable it in 2WD, is this true? I personally like to bomb around and swing the back-end around corners on slippery wintery roads when no one is around. I tried it last night, but then all the nanny-functions kicked in and ruined my fun. Thanks for all your help!
 
#3 ·
My Diablosport Trinity has an option to disable all electronic safety features (traction control, stability control, trailer sway control, ABS, etc). The Diablosport InTune would have this feature as well, and I'm sure some other tuners out there probably have a similar feature. I tried it out the other day when the roads were wet from rain. It was pretty fun in my light-weight base model stock 2-door sport :)

Another possible option is the "steering wheel dance". I'm not sure if works on 2012+ JKs, but it's worth a try. Search for "Turn ESP OFF COMPLETELY" in this link: http://www.wranglerforum.com/f274/m...res-with-sequences-enable-disable-155357.html.

You can also disable everything (except ABS) in 4HI by pressing and holding the traction control button for about 7 seconds. I have an idea for a mod to trick the computer into thinking I'm in 4HI so that I can disable everything (except ABS) while in 2HI. Maybe I'll work on that after this winter.
 
#7 ·
#5 ·
Anyone tried the ignition trick, worked beautifully on my charger. Just turn the key to the start position while moving. It wouldn't let the starter engage because it sensed the vehicle moving, but still ran the start up sequence for the traction control. Because the traction control saw the wheels moving it wouldn't activate. After killing the car and restarting everything was back to normal.
 
#6 ·
The steering wheel dance does not work on 2013 models. Pressing and holding the traction control button will turn it off, but if tire speed goes over 40 mph again it automatically turns back on.

If anyone comes up with a way to completely rid these late model Jeeps of all electronic nannies I sure would like to hear about it.
 
#13 ·
Ok, so I just went outside and tried the "steering wheel dance" to no avail. Whether I turn the steering wheel or not, just holding down the ESP Off button for 7 seconds then receiving a chime causes "ESPOFF" to turn on in the notification area and the dash light to illuminate. Shifting OUT of 4HI and back into it, reengages everything, so this would have to be performed (holding ESP Off button in for 7 seconds) each time you shift back into 4HI. Doing the dance in 2WD nets zero results, other than the dash light illuminating. From experience, this does nothing when trying to powerslide around a corner. The ESP still comes on with the light flashing on the dash. It looks as though I might have to do the interrupt switch, because there's no way I can drive this vehicle with all this electronic rubbish. Maybe, like one poster said, I'll just have to go out and buy a TJ and trade this one in as much as it would break my heart, but at least I'd be saving a couple hun on car payments per month...
 
#33 ·
It looks as though I might have to do the interrupt switch, because there's no way I can drive this vehicle with all this electronic rubbish. Maybe, like one poster said, I'll just have to go out and buy a TJ and trade this one in as much as it would break my heart, but at least I'd be saving a couple hun on car payments per month...
Yep, that's what we did. Built a beautiful new 2011 JKU, then discovered the Nannie functions made it miserable to drive. We fussed with fixing it for months and then gave up. Now we're driving a TJ again. I'm searching threads on this topic again because we miss the four doors, and I'm hoping to eventually add a JKU to our garage.

We have a 2012 f350 pickup too, and it has a similar slew of irritating idiot functions. Idiot chimes go off about 20 times per day --- incredibly irritating and, according to Ford dealer, impossible to disable. Frustrating as can be.
 
#19 ·
Cutting a wire is much cheaper than buying a different vehicle. You might even be able to figure out how to gracefully remove a pin from the connector rather than cutting a wire, if you're concerned about being able to return it to stock functionality in the future for resale or warranty service.

Even if you cut the wire, 5 minutes with a soldering iron could repair your cut in the future if necessary, or even install a switch in the wire and leave the switch hidden inside the console area if you don't want it to be visible and readily accessible.

I agree with your complaints about traction and stability control getting in the way of a skilled driver, but I really don't understand anyone that that thinks ABS "gets in the way". ABS can only help you on the street. Unless you are a professional racer on a perfect predictable surface, ABS will outperform you when it really matters (unexpected situation, slick conditions). This comparison uses motorcycles, but the same concepts apply: Internet BMW Riders - No Fault Braking, A Real-World Comparison of ABS Systems

If you're concerned about ABS affecting off-road performance, then you'll be happy to know that ABS behavior changes in 4HI for off-road use, and it's completely disabled automatically (along with all electronic safety features) in 4LO.
 
#21 ·
What "3 parameters" are enabled in 4LO?

Only thing I know of that's still enabled in 4LO is BLD.

Traction control, stability control, anti-roll and ABS are all disabled in 4LO.
 
#22 ·
What "3 parameters" are enabled in 4LO?

Only thing I know of that's still enabled in 4LO is BLD.

Traction control, stability control, anti-roll and ABS are all disabled in 4LO.

Roll, Yaw and wheelspin. The wheelspin is increased from where it's set in 2hi but it's still there. This was what led me to disable the system completely, after driving uphill on a loose gravel road in 4lo for a good 20 min. and never touching the brakes I noticed all four of my brakes were super hot. Some testing was done and even in 4lo the throttle would cut back and the brakes would be applied, just like in 2wd.
 
#24 ·
I think the issue is that the steering wheel dance stopped working on the +2012's. I have not tried it, but others have reported that they could not get it to work. Did you get it to work on yours?
 
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