So sometimes when i start out in first gear (fairly aggressively) and then really bury the go-pedal around 3-4k rpm, sometimes the tachometer will bounce around between 5000-6000 rpm and it FEELS like the wheels are spinning but i dont hear screeching tires (but that could just be cause the engine is makin so much noise) but the slip light never comes on........

what do you guys think is the deal here? cause based on what you guys say about a clutch slipping, it sounds like that, but it doesnt do it if i upshift and floor it immediately, it grabs just like it should

 

If you're clutch is slipping, you will not get any slip light, as that has nothing to do with the VDC/TCS.

If you believe your clutch has gone bad, do this simple test. Start of in 1st gear, get rolling to about ~15 MPH, and then shift to 5th gear & floor it. If your clutch hooks, then it should be fine. If you see the revs jump high without the clutch grabbing instantaneously, then your clutch has gone bad.

As far as the Slip Light, I have experienced many times where the VDC bogs my car down because of minor traction issues, without the Slip Light actually coming on.

PS. If you're doing spirited drving, your VDC should always be off. Shifting from 1st to 2nd aggresively WILL cause VDC to bog your car down; the slip light should lite up in normal circumstances.

 

what he said^. you may need some trans work.

 

well the "spirited" driving that usually sets off this problem is usually just starting at a stop light and getting up to the speed limit as fast as i can, so i just leave the VDC on, haha

but i only have just under 12000 miles, so if it IS the clutch im gonna be really bummed

i guess my main question was whether or not the VDC could be kicking in without the slip light coming on, but Skater said his does

i have done the clutch slippage test before, but will try again today.... fingers crossed

 

Yep, this happens to me once in awhile too.

Coming from parking lot or a side street, going into a major road where i'm force to give it more gas than usual, I feel the rear end sliding a bit but no slip light. I just let off the gas a bit.

Didn't think this would be a slipping clutch. This is my guess and as it was posted somewhere before, VDC isn't perfect and will miss a slippage here and there.

 

the slip light will always come one when vdc engages. also, there is no question when it engages...the car feels as though the gas is shut off.

 

There is a lag between when the tires break free and when VDC kicks in. You might just be feeling that lag.

 

Did you just change tires?

Lou

 

no new tires...

i did the clutch test and it isnt slipping at all, so it's got to be the wheels gettin loose without the light coming on, i guess