help.... 97 conti issues

[Dudley LSC]

I have a 97 continental, most options, 104k miles, and the thing is giving me hell.

1) Every time I start it, it says "check traction control" and I need to hit the reset button, and the traction control doesnt work. If I disconnect the battery it goes away and the TC works, once. Next startup and from then on it goes right back to "check......"

2) Is the compass in the mirror supposed to stay on forever, cause mine does and I think its killing the battery.

3) The alarm. It wont arm, it wont let me lock the doors, and it beeps like mad while flashing "anti theft" in the dash every time I take the key out and open the door. Some kind of anti theft system that wont let you lock the doors.

Any help/insight would be great. Thing's really getting on my nerves. Just did tuneup, rotors/pads, inner tie rod end, battery, front end bushings, and now this crap..... ugh

[Mark_0101]

1) My Continentals TC is messed up too but my warning comes after 14 MPH. Try cleaning the sensors and see if that helps.(tell me if you wanna know how to do this)
2) Yes the compass is suppose to stay on.
3) Try to make the Beeps stop. Its probaly still senses that your key is still inside, so try moving that to make the beeps stop.

[v8_dave]

I would try unplugging that hood open alarm sensor. It was giving me hell, setting the alarm off randomly and killing the battery. The compass is fine and normal.

[pro-five-oh]

All these problems seem to point to a bad battery or alternator. These cars have a lot of interconnected systems and when things get this insane I think the charging system is at fault.

If the battery checks out, its gonna be shop manual time. Something is causing all these problems, I donno what on earth it is. :(

[Dudley LSC]

Ok, update:

Alarm issue was in fact what Mark_0101 said.... the lead inside the key tumbler was bent over and not making contact so it always thought the key was in. Thats solved. I'm gonna disconnect the hood sensor anyway cause its really not important and if it may be an issue, eliminate it.

Cleaned all the ABS sensors and rings, inspected all the wires and plugs for the speed sensors, all fine. Tried ABS.... front tires on dirt rear on pavement, left tires, right tires, etc... works without a hitch. Every time. And the damn TC doesnt work. Still gives me the warning.

BUT to Pro's point, the battery was dead and I just threw in an old battery I had hanging around. Although it starts no problem and holds its charge, maybe its still not quite good enough for the rediculously complicated electronics. The alternator is charging perfect, 14.7V at idle. So its not that, I think.....

Any other suggestions keep em coming, you guys are great.

[Mark_0101]

Then I am probably guessing that the module for the TC is fried up like mine.(that is what the dealership told me) It costs about $800 new.
There is another thing, try to unplug and replug the module wires. One of the Mark VIII guys did this and it works for him. He said he cleaned it but I don't know with what. The module should be under the car near the battery.

[pro-five-oh]

Its gotta be that battery. These multiplex component systems control too many things and just go nuts when they don't get enough juice.

[purelux]

I have had the battery cause check steering assist, check traction control, mirrors don't drop as quick as normal in reverse, check alt, check batt, etc... The battery at the time was an optima and had plenty of power but had a bad cell in it. You can try reconditioning the battery if you have a charger with that option to do so as well if the problem is sulfation buildup. It may take a couple of cycles depending on the buildup (usually 24hrs each).

[steevr]

The compass on my '97 stays on for about 30 minutes and then turns off.

[khansen46]

I see a post farther up from Mark_0101 about cleaning the speed sensors. Is there a trick to it, or a special method? My ABS light is on, and I have the Check Traction Control error. I had the codes pulled, and it indicates both speed sensors on the left side are faulty. I'm going to try to test them this weekend, and see if cleaning will help. I'm not real familiar with this component, so any insight would be appreciated.
Mine is a 96 Continental.
Thanks.
Ken

[Mark_0101]

I see a post farther up from Mark_0101 about cleaning the speed sensors. Is there a trick to it, or a special method? My ABS light is on, and I have the Check Traction Control error. I had the codes pulled, and it indicates both speed sensors on the left side are faulty. I'm going to try to test them this weekend, and see if cleaning will help. I'm not real familiar with this component, so any insight would be appreciated.
Mine is a 96 Continental.
Thanks.
Ken

this is the sensor that you need to clean. Spray it with a brake cleaner see if that helps you. Just unscrew and spary the hell out of it:)

[95ContiDriver]

I see a post farther up from Mark_0101 about cleaning the speed sensors. Is there a trick to it, or a special method? My ABS light is on, and I have the Check Traction Control error. I had the codes pulled, and it indicates both speed sensors on the left side are faulty. I'm going to try to test them this weekend, and see if cleaning will help. I'm not real familiar with this component, so any insight would be appreciated.
Mine is a 96 Continental.
Thanks.
Ken

Mine were just bad, the internal wiring was frayed or messed up and they would flake on and off if you play with the wire. Just FYI.

[khansen46]

I changed both of the sensors on the drivers side today. The old ones came off in pieces, and I had to do quite a bit of work with a hammer and screwdriver to get the aluminum housing out of the spindles. I'm in Humble, TX (north of Houston), but the car came from New Jersey. There is almost no rust on it, but the spindles and rotors are a little rough.
Anyway, the ABS light went out on the dash, but the CHECK TRACTION CONTROL error still shows on the display. I'll try reseating the plugs tomorrow, as suggested farther up. I'm open to any other suggestions anyone may have.