2003 Ford Windstar Traction Control engaging while driving

Please read this link first this is from a Ford Windstar forum and talks about the traction control


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=310x894

If it comes on occasiionally, you obviously are driving on some slick surface. When it senses the slip, it automatically engages the traction control.

Even minor slippage will engage the traction control, like turning a corner, and one wheel slipps a little. If the light is constantly on, you have hit the switch for the Traction Control.

They are known for having a weak internal sun shell housing. But that means a rebuild.

Nope

Have the brakes and Traction Control System, TCS, checked. When traction control in engaged it will brake automatically on some wheels to help control your traction and when slipping is detected causing the brakes to overheat. On the other side of that coin if a caliper is sticking or a fault in the brake system is causing the brakes to hang that could cause the Traction Control system to detect a fault as it tries to compensate but can't.

I'm just guessing: You may have a bad ABS Sensor. since you mentioned TRACTION Control. Traction Control controls the vehicle while it is in motion but a faulty or failing ABS Sensor could interfere with your traction Sensorbe the cause of your worries. Hope its a good guess!

where do you hear moaning sound coming from ? Under the hood in engine bay ? That could be the ABS pump motor ! maybe going bad . service traction control light on ? DTC'S - diagnostic trouble code or codes stored . Have codes checked .

The traction control system is controlled through the Anti-lock brake system. The way it works is if one of your wheels starts spinning the ABS applys the brake to that wheel to transfer power to the oppsite wheel that is getting traction. If your ABS is bad then your Traction control won't work. To check it I would find a parking lot on a wet day. In an open space mash in the gas. if you hear the ABS system kick in and you don't squall the tires then your good. My guess is you won't. What I would be worried about is will my ABS work. When checking the traction control is a good time to check the ABS. Acclerate to around 15 mph, then mash the brake as your live depended on it. If you hear a motor run and feel a vibration or grind in the brake peddal, then it works.

2 wheel drive refers to the rear wheels.
The traction control feature applies the brakes to the wheels that are spinning due to lack of traction so that they can slow down and get a grip or traction, if its in 2 wheel drive the system will pulse the brakes and you will hear and feel the system engage usually a buzzing vibration and an indicator light will come on the dash to tell you its engaged

that is what it is desgined to do - reduce acceleration and apply the brakes intermittently when the wheels spin. You have a switch you cn push to disable it. You need to disable each time you start car. See owner manual.

06-10: Traction Control 1996 Contour, Mystique Workshop Manual
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Traction Control System The optional traction control system is designed to control wheel spin when accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces. Traction control system is available only with anti-lock brakes. The traction control system includes the following components:

• Hydraulic control unit.
• Throttle control actuator (9N825).
• Traction control switch.
• Traction control warning indicator.
• Front brake anti-lock sensor (2C204).
• Rear brake anti-lock sensor (2C190).

The traction control system operates as follows:

• System functions by transferring torque from the spinning wheel to the wheel with the most traction.
• This is achieved by applying the brake at the spinning wheel through the hydraulic control unit or reducing the throttle opening.
• Traction control braking and throttle control occur at vehicle speeds up to 50 km/h (30 mph).
• At vehicle speeds above 50 km/h (30 mph), only throttle limiting control is used.
• If speed control is operating when traction control system engages the traction control system will disengage speed control through the use of a speed control relay. This action is the same as applying the brake pedal with speed control engaged.

1996 contour
Traction Control Switch The traction control switch is located on the instrument panel, left of the steering column.