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Lightning Bolt Symbol

2K views 8 replies 3 participants last post by  DRuffin97 
#1 ·
So maybe a month ago I started to get this lightning bolt that would occasionally come on after me driving for a long time, while it is on if I tried to go over 55 the car would begin to stall. Eventually my car started to sound weak starting up and finally it just wouldn't cut back on. Took it to pepboys yesterday they ran it on the test everything tested fine, except the battery. I get a new battery and everything seems much better until later the drive the symbol comes back on but this time when I hit 55 the drive is still normal no stalling like before I got the new battery. The ESP BAS and the slippery car light will come on with the other light. I don't think it has any more warranty, what could be the problem if nothing showed up on the diagnostic?
 
#2 ·
Replacing the battery was good. A bad/weak battery can cause all kinds wacky behavior with the electronics in these cars. The lighting bolt is the ETC (electronic throttle control) warning light and the slippery car is the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) light.
If both of these are On at the same time there should be one or more active/pending DTCs (diagnostic trouble codes) logged. If it's a problem with the ABS system you need a OBD2/CAN scanner that can read ABS codes. I would think PEP Boys uses an advanced scanner but it depends on where you live. California has some strange laws that restrict non-service auto stores to only scan for generic codes. Was your PEP Boys a service shop or just a parts store?
You didn't say the MIL/CEL light was On. The problem could be ABS system, throttle body, ESC sensors, etc ... Really hard to be specific without a DTC or a full diagnostic performed on the car (e.g. dealership or other full service auto shop).
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#3 ·
The pep boys i went to is a parts and full service auto store as well. Not sure what MIL/CEL light is so yes i have never seen it on before. Just those 3 lights. And it's crazy because i paid $90 for the diagnostic at Pepboys but everything came back good the only thing they said that could be causing it was the battery...
 
#4 ·
Need to make sure where you go can read advanced codes as the ABS/ESP & Mr Squiggly would indicate a possible bad ABS wheel speed sensor. It will not turn on a CEL but there are codes stored that a normal scanner will not read. The lightning bolt could go either way. May want to skim through your owners manual, seem to remember if the lightning bolt is on solid you should not drive the car and take it in but not sure.
 
#6 ·
Do you have any suggestions on who can read advances codes?
A FCA dealership can. Since it's most likely a ABS issue, a qualified brake shop can. I don't know the best brake specialist in your area but maybe other forum members who live in your area can recommend a shop; or maybe some other local car guys you know. Stay away from the "$99.00 buys you all new brakes" shops.
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#8 ·
If you shop around you can find scanners that will read all the codes for about what it costs you to have them read at a shop. I bought one called BlueDriver that plugs into the OBD port and you read it with an app on your phone along with some more functions.
 
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