I am having problems w/ my PWR/ECT button. When I hit this button, I know that I'm supposed to get more power like some kind of bootleg turbo button but nothing happens and the light in instrument panel doesn't even come on!! I'm thinking that maybe mine is disconnected or something because I already checked the fuses under the steering wheel!! What's wrong!!

 

I'd take it over a squirt of NAWWS anyday. pull the center console up and check the connection.

 

I am sorry but what does that function do again. I was under the impression that it was something like traction control if you can please fill me in

 

It changes the shift points on the tranny. It holds a gear longer, usually shifting aroung 5k rpm instead of the "normal" 3.5-4k rpm. Go WOT and see of flipping the switch changes the shifts. If so, then the button works fine, your dash light might be broken.

 

It increases the line pressure allowing a downshift much easier..... I'm not sure about it allowing to rev higher though

 

It was kind of said here but the ECT/PWR button DOES NOT give you more power. ECT means Electronically Controlled Transmission. It only controls shift points of the transmission, allowing slightly higher revs during acceleration and earlier downshifts to keep the tranny in the powerband. As for your light on the cluster, check the bulb!

 

As others have pointed out, the switch simply pushes the point of changing gear towards higher rpm, giving you margianlly better spirited drive at the cost of higher voulem of fuel burned. To keep your drive econimical keep it in normal.

The possibilities are burnt indicator, faulty swtich/wiring & problem in the transmission. To eliminate a blown bulb, check dash with switch turned ON from OFF. [Lot of folks/drivers ignore the importance of the test of all warning bulbs ... switch form off to on of the ignition switch]. To see if the setup is working notice the rpm meter as your car changes gear under accellariton.

To access the switch, pull hand-brake, move transmission in neutral, force the plastic at the base of the leather wrap of the shifter down. Remove 2 phillips screws and lift off the shifeter. Then simply pop up the plastic gear shifter bezel.

Salim

 

Thanks everyone for you combined efforts!!!

Special thanx to salimshah for detailed work.

Holla front!

 

I thought I stood for Electronically Controlled Throttle.
.......It has a "snow" setting....and when selected.....it wont let you take off from a stand still.
You can mash the pedal and *nothing* happens

 

that sounds wright to me but ever one is saying other wise. Okay maybe this will clear it up. My car is a 98 model so will that have something to do with the differences .

 

I think PWR changes the shift points......where as "Snow" reduces the throttle input.
When My GS would break loose in water....the ECT light would flash on the instrument panel, as it was trying to regain traction.

Maybe its both?

 

Maybe we should throw Electront Traction Control in there as well

Hell....I dont know
......I just drive the damn thing.

Maybe its time to actually READ the owners manual

 

ECT Switch
This switch has 2 modes (as we all know) - normal and power modes. It doesn't give you anymore power, it only changes the shift points. Use power mode if you need more power (like pulling onto a packed freeway at high speeds). Otherwise normal mode will do you fine.

ETCS/TRC - 96 Soarer~/97(or 98?) SC~
The Electronic Traction Control System (ETCS) is simply that. There are 2 modes, auto and snow mode. For some reason (I've noticed in mine) that if I do loose traction (say going around a corner with too much stick) the car will retard/lag its way up the rev range once it gets traction again (I know it limited me to a certain RPM but I can't remember what it was). In my car the SNOW dash light goes on and will stay in this mode until I take my foot off the throttle and press the ETCS mode button back to normal. Would be interesting to see if the USD models do the same too.


Jose

 

Snow mode starts the car in 2nd as opposed to 1st to reduce torque and provide slower rotation of the back wheels (rwd) to help grip the road a little better. Snow mode is equally usable in summer when your rears are in mud.

Salim

 

Salim, are there steps to R/R and check the ECT PWR switch? How to remove the panel to get to the switch? Thanks in advance for the response and steps.