| Description and Operation Traction Control System - Vehicles built up to 12/1997 The optional traction control system is designed to control wheel spin when accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces. The traction control system is only available in conjunction with anti-lock brakes. The traction control system includes the following components; - hydraulic control unit
- throttle control actuator
- traction control switch
- traction control warning indicator
- front brake anti-lock sensor
- rear brake anti-lock sensor
The traction control system operates as follows; - The system functions by transferring torque from the spinning wheel to the wheel with the most traction.
- This is achieved by applying the brake at the spinning wheel through the HCU or reducing the throttle opening.
- Traction control braking and throttle control only occur at vehicle speeds up to 50 km (30 mph).
- At vehicle speeds above 50 km (30 mph), only the throttle limiting control is used.
- If speed control is working when traction control engages the speed control is overridden through the speed control relay.
Throttle Control Actuator The throttle control actuator is located in the left front corner of the engine compartment. - A throttle position sensor is mounted to the top of the throttle control actuator which communicates throttle position to the HCU.
- Throttle function is controlled by the throttle control unit through two cables. One cable is attached to the accelerator pedal and the throttle control unit. The other cable attaches to the throttle control unit and goes to the throttle body. For additional information, refer to Section 310-02 Acceleration Control.
- The throttle control actuator controls throttle opening by effectively lengthening the cable to the throttle body, reducing the throttle opening for a given accelerator pedal position.
Traction Control Switch The traction control switch is located on the instrument panel, to the left of the steering column. - When activated, the traction control switch disables the traction control system.
- The traction control system is reactivated when the switch is reset or when the ignition switch is cycled off and on.
Traction Control Lamp The traction control indicator is located on the instrument cluster. The traction control indicator will illuminate if; - The traction control switch is manually pushed to disable the system.
- A fault exists in the system.
Traction Control System - Vehicles built 12/1997 onwards. The anti-lock control - traction control is an expanded version of the anti-lock brake system. The system is integrated with the anti-lock brake system and uses the same wheel speed sensors and similar a hydraulic control unit. The hydraulic control unit has additional internal solenoid valves incorporated to enable control modulation of the wheel brake pressures. The traction control system reduces spinning of the driving wheels; this can be achieved as a result of intervention through the engine management system and/or the brake. Two traction control systems are available on the 98 MY Mondeo onwards, brake traction control system (BTCS) and full sped traction control (TCS). At speeds above 40km/h, only large amounts of wheel slip is controlled by the brake function ( aquaplaning). In order to avoid possible increased wear to the braking system, the ABS/TCS and BTCS systems calculate the brake pad temperature and if it becomes too high brake intervention is switched off until such times that the temperature has been reduced. Brake Traction Control System (BTCS) Brake traction control uses controlled braking of the spinning driving wheel, when the grip at the driven wheels are different. The BTCs system is only active at road speeds up to 85 km/h (53 mph). When the system is active the driver is made aware of the fact by the illumination of a warning indicator located in the instrument cluster. This transfers a greater proportion of the engine torque through the differential to the other driven wheel, thereby increasing the utilization of the available traction control works at all speeds below 50 km/h. Full Speed Traction Control (TCS) In addition to the BTCS features, TCS also reduces the engine torque to improved directional stability. If the ABS/TCS module registers that the driving wheels are spinning, the EEC V Powertrain control Module (PCM) can be requested to reduce the engine torque via the standard corporate protocol (SCP) bus (ISO 9141). Ford). For additional information, refer to Section 303-14 Electronic Engine Controls. The ABS/TCS module calculates the required engine torque during traction control and sends this request to the EEC V PCM. The EEC V PCM then calculates the requited ignition timing and the number of fuel injectors to be deactivated in order to achieve the required engine torque. The advantage of the TCS over the BTCS are as follows: - reduced load on the braking system
- reduced load on the powertrain
- improved directional stability
- improved steering
- shorter reaction time
- operates at all vehicle speeds
| 
