Traction Inop

[highlife70]

I've had this '98 3.8L for about a year. Bought it off a lot. It has the TRAC option, but has never worked. I live in Wisconsin and would really like to get it to turn on and give me traction control in the winter. What am I looking at to get it operational again? Is it a tough and expensive fix? Thanks

[Scottydoggs]

is your abs light on as well? if so it could be the wires off the hub are loose, or a damaged wire or you may need a new wheel hub, the sensor is in the hub, so you need a hub/wheel bearing to replace the sensor.

and to narrow what the problem could be for sure you can take the car to a dealer or a good repair shop and have it scanned and they will be able to tell you exactly what the problem is. but most places will charge you for this scan, and auto zone scanner wont pull up abs or trac off codes.

hope this points you in the right direction.

[highlife70]

Thanks for the feedback Scotty. Yes my ABS light "was" on since I bought it. I was told by another owner exactly what you said about the hub. OK, here's the wierd thing. 2 days ago, the "service engine soon" light popped on. In turn, the ABS light went off. I wonder if the computer is telling me to focus on the brake system? It's clear I need to get a diagnostic check asap.

[Scottydoggs]

the check engine light is a separate issue, that you can go to auto zone and have scanned for free, you could just need a tune up, or have sensor going bad.

if the abs light went out, did it come back on? you may just have a loose abs plug if its coming on and off.

i'd start with all the plugs at the hubs front and back, remove them, clean them up with some electrical parts cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on the plugs and put them back on, see it that helps, and it only cost like 8 to 10 bucks for the cleaner and grease. while you are there check the wires for damage, cracks or missing insulation.

[Bio248]

i always turned mine off. it's just going to slow you down from a stop.