I just received a 2010 HHR LT from my parents with 83,000 miles. I was driving across an icy patch while accelerating and received the service traction and service esc messages with the accompaning lights including the ABS light. After restarting the engine all reset. The next day same thing happened under similar circumstances. Has anyone experienced this and found a solution?

 

It's called "saving your life"..The car was reacting to you driving like an teenager. When the computer senses that the wheels are not turning at the same rate it assumes that you have lost control.

 

Yep, working as designed.

 

When I said "accelerating" I didn't say drag racing. Just a very slow acceleration in a parking lot when a small spot of ice caused the traction control to engage. According to Chevy the messages come on when traction control senses a failure. The messages don't come on just because it engages. I have other cars with TC and you get a light showing it engages. The light goes away when you back off or the sensors no longer sense wheel spin. They system shouldn't shut down and deactivate itself.

If anyone actually understands the most likely causes of a system fault/failure I'd be interested in hearing what you know.

 

I have a 2007 2LT.... It does the exact same thing. It's part of the design, nothing's broken or malfunctioning.

 

I believe that you can cancel the light by stopping the attempt to accelerate..
My lights come on when I try to accelerate onto the street from the driveway at my work.
I just have to stop the acceleration and continue driving like normal and the lights go off.

 

Read the Owners Manual that describes how the system functions and operates.(If you don't have a Manual, Donbrew, Post #2 has the link to them in his signature above ^)
IF you think that something is not performing as designed, then I would suggest having the codes checked to see if any trouble codes have set. Certain codes will disable functions such as ESC and TC.
You will need a code reader that can scan for ABS related trouble codes.

 

My 2011 2LT reacts as yours does , it’s normal operation of the system.

 

Please reread section 5 of the 2010 Owner Manual; as it says something other than what you read elsewhere. (about the warnings and lights)

 

Here's what the owners manual states:
SERVICE TRACTION
If your vehicle has the Enhanced Traction System (ETS) or Traction Control System (TCS), this message displays and a chime sounds when the system is not functioning properly. The ETS light or the ESC/TCS light also appears on the instrument panel cluster. This light stays on solid as long as the detected problem remains present. When this message displays, the system is not working. Adjust your driving accordingly. Have the system serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.

Not a normal condition.

I'll have to get a code reader. What I was looking for was any information on previous corrective actions based on similar messages experienced by forum readers. I can shoot the wiring and run the codes but nothing beats past experience from others in addition to hands on troubleshooting.