I have a 1998 lincoln continental. the abs light isn't on but the tracion control comes on every so often. even while driving down the road it makes noise. what could be the problem?

You have a failed transmission simple as that.

in the gear box there are small iron ball like the one in a ball bearing, one or more of those must be missing or worn out

abs compressor has a shout most likely

it should be on all the time, if the fuse is blown it will show off, if your abs light is on it may show off , or if your parking brake is on .

Hello, lets test that BMW M5 ABS braking system, OK. First, drive down a street with no traffic. Speed up to 30 to 40 MPH. Then slam on your brakes hard, if the brake petal is pulsating and there a noise like clunk,clunk,clunk,clunk noise. Your BMW ABS is working. If not, then the BMW ABS isn't working.


ABS system and what it does to your BMW. All it amount to is it doesn't lock up the braking system. It just applied the brake and release in micro seconds. This keep the vehicle from sliding side ways on wet roads, snowy roads, icy roads or even on dry roads. In other words, it keeps the front of the BMW in a straight line.



If your BMW ABS isn't do this, you'll need to have the ABS braking system serviced. GB...stewbison

There is a separate switch for the third brake light.
Put on your flashers to ensure that your brake lights are working.
Then first look on your gas pedal linkage to locate the brake light switch.
Gary

On vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), a second warning light is provided to warn if a problem occurs within the ABS system. The ABS lamp comes on when the ignition is turned on for a bulb check, then goes out after the engine starts. If the ABS warning light remains on or comes on while driving, it indicates a fault has occurred in the ABS system.

What happens next depends on the nature of the fault. On most applications, the ABS system disables itself if the ABS warning light comes on and remains on. This should have no effect on normal braking. Even so, ABS will NOT be available in an emergency situation or when braking on a wet or slick surface.

CAUTION: If the brake warning light also comes on and remains on while the ABS warning light it on, it signals a serious problem. Your vehicle may not be safe to drive. The brakes and ABS system should be inspected immediately to determine the nature of the problem!

If the ABS light comes on momentarily then goes out, the nature of the problem is usually minor and the ABS system usually remains fully operational. Some vehicle manufacturers call this kind of fault a "nonlatching" fault (meaning it isn't serious enough to disable the ABS system).

Regardless of the type of fault that occurred to trigger the ABS warning lamp, a special "code" is recorded in the ABS module's memory to aid in diagnosing the problem. On some vehicles this code can be retrieved by putting the ABS system into a special diagnostic mode. The code is then flashed out through the ABS warning lamp. The code number refers to a diagnostic chart in a service manual that must be followed to pinpoint the faulty component. On other applications, a special "scan tool" must be plugged into the vehicle's diagnostic connector to read out the fault code.

Traction control is off.

alternator drive belt, alternator , voltage regulator or loose battery terminals are indicated

sounds like the brake pads may be metal to metal, that could be the noise problem, but until u have the system tested for the trouble code that is setin the ABS modules memory when the light comes on you are guessing, the Dealer is the only one in most cases that has the scan tool to check ABS trouble codes.