Traction warning light comes on - 1998 BMW 5 Series

The Enhanced
Traction System
warning light may
come on for the
following reasons:


If you turn the system off by shifting to SECOND (2)
or FIRST (1), the warning light will come on and stay
on. To turn the system back on, shift to THIRD (3) or
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
). See “Enhanced
Traction System” in the Index.


If the Enhanced Traction System warning light
comes on and stays on for an extended period of
time when the system is turned on, your vehicle
needs service. Adjust your driving accordingly.


The warning light will come on when you set your
parking brake with the engine running, and it will
stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release fully.
If the transaxle shift lever is in any position other
than FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and the warning
light stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means there’s a problem with the system.


If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn off
and the warning light will come on.

Today, most new vehicles come with either an ABS or a traction control system. A problem in the ABS or traction control system is usually indicated by a warning light. When the ABS warning light is on, it means that the ABS has been shut down because of a mechanical or electrical failure.

In most cases traction control module in need to receive a signal out of every wheel if four wheel equipped if some reason will not ur engine light would come on need read out using a scan tool to get an idea to lead u to ur issue a sensor a disk a good clean up around the disk hopefully not electrical wiring issue need inspect.
Good Luck

StabiliTrak Indicator Light: If the warning light does not come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem. If it stays on, or comes on when you are driving, there may be a problem with your StabiliTrak system and your vehicle may need service. When this warning light is on, the system is off and will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.

This light will also flash when the StabiliTrak system is active. If the StabiliTrak system warning light comes on and stays on for an extended period of time when the system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.

The traction control part of StabiliTrak can be turned off by pressing and releasing the StabiliTrak button if both systems (traction control and StabiliTrak) were previously on. To disable both traction control and StabiliTrak, press and hold the button for five seconds.

Traction control and StabiliTrak can be turned on by pressing and releasing the StabiliTrak button if not automatically shut off for any other reason.

When the TCS or StabiliTrak system is turned off, the StabiliTrak light and the appropriate TCS off or StabiliTrak off message will be displayed on the DIC to warn the driver. Your vehicle will still have brake-traction control when traction control is off, but will not be able to use the engine speed management system.

If the StabiliTrak and/or Traction Control are not operating properly, I encourage you to take your vehicle in for inspection. A certified technician will be able to offer a more accurate diagnosis.

the ABS system is defective, probably one or more of the sensors.

Traction control system works with the ABS sensors to monitor to monitor traction slippage.

You either have a problem with your engine control system, the traction control system, or you are not in the correct gear. See the explaination below. This is from the 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner's Manual.

TRAC-OFF LIGHT

... If you turn the system off by moving the shift lever

to FIRST (1) or SECOND (2), the warning light will

come on and stay on. To turn the system back on,

move the shift lever back to a position other than

FIRST (1) or SECOND (2). The warning light

should go off. (See "Enhanced Traction System"

in the Index for more information.)

The warning light will come on when you set your

parking brake with the engine running, and it will

stay on if your parking brake doesn't release fully.

If the transaxle shift lever is in any position other

than FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and the warning

light stays on after your parking brake is fully

released, it means there's a problem with the system.

If the traction control system is affected by an

engine-related problem, the system will turn off

and the warning light will come on.

If the Enhanced Traction System warning light comes

on and stays on for an extended period of time when the

transaxle shift lever is in any position other than FIRST
(1) or SECOND (2) your vehicle needs service.

T/C light = Traction Control

Could be something going on with a wheel speed sensor. You'll have to have the ABS/TCS controller scanned for any stored trouble codes to see why the controller is turning on the light. The code(s) might help you to determine what part of the system is faulting. You'll have to take it to a shop that has a high end scan tool.

If the TC light is on, chances are there is a trouble code set and stored in the computer. You need to determine what the code is. If you take the car to a nationally recognized parts store, most will scan the computer for free, so there is no money out of pocket for you.


Actron also makes a ABS code checker called BrakeScan. Don't know how good it is, but it might be good for a DIY person.

TC Explanation:

If your vehicle is equipped with the Enhanced Traction System (ETS), this warning light should come on briefly as you start the engine. If the warning light does not come on, then have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If the warning light stays on, or comes on when you are driving, there may be a problem with your Enhanced Traction System and your vehicle may need service. When this warning light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The Enhanced Traction System warning light may come on for the following reasons:
• If you turn the system off by moving the shift lever to FIRST (1), the warning light will come on and stay on. To turn the system back on, move the shift lever back to a position other than FIRST (1). The warning light should go off. • The warning light will come on when you set your parking brake with the engine running, and it will stay on if your parking brake does not release fully. If the transaxle shift lever is in any position other than FIRST (1) and the warning light stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it means there is a problem with the system. • If the traction control system is affected by an engine-related problem, the system will turn off and the warning light will come on. If the Enhanced Traction System warning light comes on and stays on for an extended period of time when the transaxle shift lever is in any position other than FIRST (1), your vehicle needs service.


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The Enhanced Traction System warning light may come on for the following reasons:

If you turn the system off by shifting to SECOND (2) or FIRST (1), the warning light will come on and stay on. To turn the system back on,shift to THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE

If the traction control system is affected by an engine-related problem, the system will turn off and the warning light will come on.

If the Enhanced Traction System warning lightmcomes on and stays on for an extended period of time when the system is turned on, your vehicle needs service. Adjust your driving accordingly..

that is your traction control. Either you pressed the traction control button it say ASR OR ESP on your console in the center next to the hazard switch.

My traction system light comes on while I am driving. Will I be wasting gas while this is on? Could you help me?