2002 - Traction control button is not responding

[TNtbird]

After years of dealing with illuminated dash warning lights, today marks a refreshing change – none are lit up? For the past three years, my ABS and Traction Control lights have been on, and more recently, the Check Engine light joined the ensemble. However, I finally addressed the issue today by replacing the front left speed sensor, and to my delight, all the lights, including the Check Engine light, vanished. Victory!

After the fix, I noticed the lack of response when pressing the traction control button. Ordinarily, toggling it off should illuminate the traction control dash light, but there's nothing happening. Could someone guide me through diagnostic steps for troubleshooting the traction control system?

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[biddle]

When you replaced the sensor, did you disconnect the battery? If not, have you disconnected the battery to reset everything?

Are you only relying on dash lights or are you using and OBDII reader? If so what codes are returned? Note, you will need an advanced OBDII reader like blue driver to read the ABS codes in the computer.

 

[TNtbird]

When you replaced the sensor, did you disconnect the battery? If not, have you disconnected the battery to reset everything?

Are you only relying on dash lights or are you using and OBDII reader? If so what codes are returned? Note, you will need an advanced OBDII reader like blue driver to read the ABS codes in the computer.

I disconnected the battery before replacing the speed sensor, so everything should have reset. Technically the ABS light stayed on upon restoring battery power, but as soon as I started driving the light went out.

I don't have scanner, so I'll need to get over to Advance Auto again for a fresh scan for codes.

 

[biddle]

I don't have scanner

Why not? They are not expensive, and you can do it yourself. It's not like you can only use it on one car. I don't trust the people at those stores to read codes. It's not any different than any other tool in your garage. The Blue Driver is what I use and it even gives detailed information about what is wrong and reads all the computers including ABS.

 

[michelb1]

Why not? They are not expensive, and you can do it yourself. It's not like you can only use it on one car. I don't trust the people at those stores to read codes. It's not any different than any other tool in your garage. The Blue Driver is what I use and it even gives detailed information about what is wrong and reads all the computers including ABS.

I use one of those too (same brand) and it's an amazing tool. Very easy to use and you can point your mechanic to what the issue is. Because, sometimes, we have to go to those guys.

 

[Bill_W]

After years of dealing with illuminated dash warning lights, today marks a refreshing change – none are lit up? For the past three years, my ABS and Traction Control lights have been on, and more recently, the Check Engine light joined the ensemble. However, I finally addressed the issue today by replacing the front left speed sensor, and to my delight, all the lights, including the Check Engine light, vanished. Victory!

After the fix, I noticed the lack of response when pressing the traction control button. Ordinarily, toggling it off should illuminate the traction control dash light, but there's nothing happening. Could someone guide me through diagnostic steps for troubleshooting the traction control system?

I have a 2003 T-bird. After having some AC work done we noticed that the instrument cluster lights were not coming on (warning lights were were okay). I checked all the fuses and then went in and removed the instrument cluster and tested the bulbs (just fine), changed out the dimmer switch, etc. Turned out that the socket for the Traction switch and the dash illumination were a similar configuration and had been inadvertently switched after the AC repair. Everything worked fine after we put them back where they belonged.

 

[Aquarius]

I have a 2003 T-bird. After having some AC work done we noticed that the instrument cluster lights were not coming on (warning lights were were okay). I checked all the fuses and then went in and removed the instrument cluster and tested the bulbs (just fine), changed out the dimmer switch, etc. Turned out that the socket for the Traction switch and the dash illumination were a similar configuration and had been inadvertently switched after the AC repair. Everything worked fine after we put them back where they belonged.

Let me preface this by saying I am not a mechanic. I have an issue with the traction control icon showing up on my instument cluster as well. I was having an issue with my ABS and after not being able to find a replacement was decided to disarm this feature. Shortly after that my transmission went out and was replaced with a remanufactured replacement. A week later the car would not start had power but nothing when the key was turned. A loose throttle control cable was blamed tightened and was fine. next weekend same problem, went back and had the starter relay replaced. problem solved. but now the trac icon will blink on and go out like turning on a light switch, The next day it came on again this time with the brake icon on as well, no loss of power and was able to accelerate. Took it for a 75 mile drive this morning was fine till I returned home and as I was pulling into my driveway at almost a complete stop the trac icon lit up again. Shut it off restarted and no icon appears. Is having the transmission replaced causing the computers to send out false signals ? Any ideas , I will take back to the shop next week but was wondering if anyone has experienced an issue like this? As I said I'm not a mechanic just a Tbird lover who is running out of patience. Thank you.

 

[doug7740]

First, I would like to know how you disarmed the ABS feature. What ABS replacement part were you looking for and how did you know you needed it? I don't know if you needed a transmission or a starter relay, but before continue throwing parts at this car I would scan all of the control modules for fault codes. If you can give me the fault codes that are stored in all of the control modules, I can take a logical approach to repairing your car. The fault codes or a Technical Service Bulletin my help us determine what is wrong with your car,

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[Aquarius]

The ABS icon was lit and caused the car to go into limp mode. After 2 remanufactured units were installed and unable to reprogram correctly it was decided to disarm. The Transmission was shot and was not shifting correctly. I had been aware this was going to go out sooner or later. As far as the starter relay it would not start at all and had been doing this off and on for a while. It finally just wouldn't start anymore and that is what the diagnosis showed. It's been replaced and no problems have started since then.

 

[doug7740]

Are you sure that the wrench light wasn't illuminated? If it was, that would cause the engine to default to "limp-home" operation. If the ABS light was illuminated or flashing, that would indicate that a malfunction was detected. What fault codes were stored in the ABS control module?

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[Earthrider]

Why not? They are not expensive, and you can do it yourself. It's not like you can only use it on one car. I don't trust the people at those stores to read codes. It's not any different than any other tool in your garage. The Blue Driver is what I use and it even gives detailed information about what is wrong and reads all the computers including ABS.

Best thing I've purchased for this car! It’s made my now infrequent visits to my mechanic more simple as well as keeping things in control. Albeit my tech guys are way straight up, they love to fix everything even that the car is almost perfect and at showroom condition. I’ve had three scanners with past vehicles but the Blue Driver has blown them away.