The traction control light in your Jeep Compass can mean one of two things. If the light flickers on and off briefly while driving in adverse conditions, it means your car's traction control system is working as intended to help you maintain stability. But if the light turns on and remains on, it indicates a malfunction in the system.
It's always a little scary to see a warning light appear on your car's instrument panel. But it doesn't always mean you need to rush to the car repair
shop. In this article, we'll cover your Jeep Compass traction control light—we'll explain what it means and what to do if yours appears. 
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Why your Jeep Compass traction control light turns on
Your Jeep's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) light—also known as the traction control light
—serves two distinct purposes. One is to act as a warning light, indicating a malfunction of the traction control system. However, the ESC light can also appear during regular vehicle operation if you're driving in rough conditions. The ESC system in your Compass uses a series of advanced sensors to detect your speed, steering wheel direction, and actual traveling direction. The sensors send this information to a control module, which helps prevent you from losing control of the vehicle in slick conditions by automatically applying the brakes to individual wheels and adjusting the engine power output.
The ESC light looks like a car with skid marks beneath it. In addition to this light, you may encounter the ESC OFF light, which appears the same but has the word "OFF" written beneath the skid marks. Check your owner's manual
for pictures of these symbols and more detailed information about additional warning lights. If any ESC system components fail, the traction control light may appear. Occasionally, your traction control light may show up with other warning lights, like the ABS or check engine lights. Let's look at some of the most common causes of a traction control malfunction
for your Jeep Compass. Temporary loss of traction
Your Jeep's traction control light is designed to turn on during regular vehicle operation—if you're driving in rough weather conditions, that is. Adverse conditions, like rain, sleet, snow,
and mud, can result in a loss of traction for your wheels. When you're driving in these conditions, it's normal to see the ESC light flickering on and off on your dash. Stay calm if you notice the traction control light while driving in harsh conditions. However, if the light turns on and remains lit, or if other warning lights turn on with it, you should take your Jeep in for a traction control light inspection
. Faulty wheel speed sensors
Traction control system malfunctions are commonly the result of faulty wheel speed sensors. These sensors are housed near your Jeep's brake rotors and, due to this location, are constantly subject to wear and tear. Since they're part of the ECS system, it's common for the traction control light to appear when you have a bad wheel speed sensor.
If your ECS light remains lit on your dash, you should check your wheel speed sensors. You can visually inspect the sensors yourself, take your car to a professional mechanic, or use an OBDII scan tool to check for error codes
associated with the sensors. Anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction
Another common cause for traction control warning light problems is an anti-lock braking system
malfunction. Your Jeep's ABS technology is closely related to the ECS system—in fact, these two systems share a control module and work together to maintain control of your Compass. If the ABS system has any problems, such as low fluid or a bad sensor, you'll likely notice the traction control light appears at the same time as the ABS warning light. If both lights pop up on your instrument panel, you should take your Compass to a professional for an ABS light inspection
and diagnosis. Low tire pressure
Low tire pressure
might be to blame for your traction control light. That's because your Jeep's ECS system can accidentally interpret the low air pressure as a loss of traction, causing the light to appear. A faulty tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) can also trigger the ECS light. If your traction control light is stuck on, one of the first things you should do is check your tire pressure.
MORE: How low can your tire pressure go?
Broken ESC/ABS control module
The ABS and traction control systems in your Jeep Compass share the same control module. Sometimes this module fails, resulting in the appearance of both systems' warning lights. When this happens, it's also common for a check engine light to be present.
If your Jeep's traction control light remains lit, even in dry conditions, you should take a trip to your local mechanic as soon as possible.
The traction control system was turned off
The traction control system in your Jeep Compass should be turned on at all times—unless you turn it off
by pressing the button near your media player controls. It's easy to accidentally hit this button. So, before you take a trip to the dealership or mechanic, make sure you didn't inadvertently turn the traction control system off yourself.
Other causes
The issues we've already covered aren't the only things that might cause your Jeep's traction control light to appear on your dash—especially when other warning lights are present. Other problems, including a misaligned steering wheel, a loose gas cap, a bad battery connection, and poor wheel alignment, can lead to an illuminated ECS light.
If a check engine light accompanies your traction control light, your first step should be to read the error codes. You can do this at home if you have your own scan tool. Otherwise, you should take a quick trip to a mechanic or even your local auto parts store, where a professional can read and interpret the codes.
Can you drive your Jeep Compass with the traction control light on?
Yes—you can drive your Jeep Compass with the traction control light on, but you should be extra careful driving in rough or slippery weather conditions.
Remember, it's totally normal for the traction control light to flicker on and off while driving in adverse conditions. But if your Jeep's ECS light turns on and remains lit or is accompanied by other warning lights, it means your traction control system is malfunctioning, which may result in a loss of vehicle control. In that situation, the best move is to take your Compass to a professional mechanic for an accurate diagnosis.
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