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Home >> Ford >> 2012 >> Taurus SE >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 2377 (Anti-Lock Brake System And Stability Control) >> Diagnosis And Testing >> Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Stability Control >> Principles of Operation >> Traction Control

Traction Control

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Mustang. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The ABS module continuously monitors and compares the rotational speed of the drive wheels in relation to the non-driven wheels. When the drive wheels begin to spin faster than the non-driven wheels, the ABS module modulates brake pressure to the appropriate brake caliper(s) by opening and closing the appropriate solenoid valves inside the HCU while the hydraulic pump motor is activated. At the same time, the ABS module sends a message over the HS-CAN that a traction event is taking place. When the PCM receives this message, it assists with traction control by adjusting engine timing and decreasing fuel injector pulses. When the IPC receives this message, it flashes the sliding car icon. Once the driven wheel speed returns to the desired speed, the ABS module returns the solenoid valves in the HCU to their normal position, deactivates the hydraulic pump motor and sends another message over the HS-CAN indicating that the event has ended. The PCM returns engine timing and fuel injectors to normal operation and the IPC extinguishes the sliding car icon.

After the vehicle speed exceeds 100 km/h (62.1 mph), traction control is accomplished only through the PCM torque control.

The traction control system can be disabled by the driver using the stability/traction control switch. When the driver disables the traction control function, the IPC communicates traction control system status to the ABS module via the HS-CAN. The ABS module takes no further action in regards to traction control until the driver activates the function or until the ignition is cycled from OFF to ON. The ABS module disables the traction control function if there are any wheel speed sensor or solenoid valve DTCs present in the ABS module. The traction control function is also disabled if there is a communication error between the ABS module and the PCM. When the traction control function is disabled, the ABS module sends a message to the IPC to illuminate the sliding car OFF icon.