Traction control @ hesitation at start up

[03mara300b]

This is my first post to this site. Great site! I just purchased my 03 300b Black @ flint Marauder a month ago. Nice shape 41350 miles, super clean one owner. Paid 16895 after 5 hours at a starting price of 18995 at a Chevy stealership. I noticed after I got it home the dealer tried to save a few bucks and put 4 new 235/50/18s all the way around. The traction control seems overly sensitive and I usually just shut it off. Is the wrong rear tire size causing this? Question #2 Just started a few days ago. When I start it up in the morning it idles fine but misses if you give it any gas? This lasts only for a few minutes and then runs fine. No check engine light comes on. Fuel filter? Fuel pump failing ? Computer problem ? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Richy04]

The Traction control will be overly sensitive if the tires are not the recommended tires for the vehicle. You can try resetting the computer, It may relearn the tire rotation from scratch and accommodate for the change in size and learn the new rotational count. Its a shot.. If its too large of a jump, you may have to change out the offending size to stop it.

The other problem may be more than one thing to check. Check the coils for arcing or cracks and check it while running at night with the coil covers off (spark jump). Check the plugs, the darker or wet plug may be your culprit or indicate the coil/plug problem. Also check the EGR and cleanliness of the Throttle plate, these will all cause a stutter or hesitation/miss.

[Aren Jay]

The traction control will act up as will the abs until you use the correct tires, give or take a little bit. See here for help: http://www.neuralimpulse.com/maraudertires.html

The second thing is a little bit different than what I had for the first few starts. I had some blue black smoke at start up but mine went away after a fortnight (2 weeks). I no longer have this, It may have been from having tha car sit for awhile.

In my Mustang i used to have Carbon build up that lead to a hesitation. It shouldn't be that but it is something to check.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

Possible Fuel Filter?

[RF Overlord]

03mara300b, welcome to the site...

To answer your first Q, resetting the ECM will not fix your TC issue. You need to have SCT Extreme Tune and either a 9100 or an XCAL2, or have someone with the ProRacer software to do it for you. Or put the correct size tires on. Or just keep turning the switch off...

Second, the hesitation when cold could be the IAC is getting sticky, the MAF needs cleaning, or you need an "Italian Tune-Up" (take the car out and beat on it for a while)... :D When were the air and fuel filters last changed? If it's been more than 25,000 miles, do them both.

[RoyLPita]

Welcome aboard. Enjoy the site and your new ride.
I have a 2003 300B with 225/60-18 tires all around. I too have to turn off the traction control or else it will kick on full time on the highway.
I am gonna try to get with one of our tuning vendors here to see if the PCM can be tweaked to accept the rolling ratio of even sized tires like our Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis sibling. Maybe it can be done in a tune.

[03mara300b]

Thanks for all the info!

[magindat]

At 40+K used, I'd do a fuel filter, air filter, oil change, PS fluid change and tranny flush just to make it mine. Can't hurt.

Also, get the correct rear tires on that thing. Not only is it messin with the TC and ABS, you are also getting a bit of a gear advantage due to smaller tires in back. Speedo will be off.

Enjoy and welcome.