New Shape Vectra Traction Control Disabled?

A friend of mine has an 03 reg vectra he bought used from Vauxhall
dealership but has never seen the traction control light on the dash next to
the ABS light as it should do when the ignition is first switched on. With
the snow we're currently having he's used to not having any TC so has been
drivig the way he's used to but when on patches of ice etc. the front
wheels spin.

Shouldn't the TC stop this? ... as he's never seen the TC light on the dash
would it just be the bulb gone or is there some way to disable the TC on the
vectra?

it's a 1.8 Elegance btw if that makes any difference ... checked on a 1.8
SXi and 2.2 Elegance and they both show the TC light on the dash with
ignition on.

Mal

 

checked the fuse?

 

I dont think 1.8s have traction control as standard unless the optional
electronic stability pack has been fitted.
My 1.8 LS certainly hasn`t, but the only wheelspin it ever manges is on wet
leaves or ice

Basill

 

That last post was a precis of a reply I accidentally sent only to Mal!


Basill

 

I've done a bit of research, it's amazing what you can find out from the
Vauxhall website , looks like the SXi I mentioned has had extras fitted as
the VX website states that the TC-Plus traction control is standard on all
vectras apart from the 1.8 versions.

Still seems wierd that you can have a 1.9cdti Club that has tc as standard
but have a 1.8 Elite that doesn't.

thanks for all the help / advice ... sorry I didn't check the VX website
first

Mal