Traction control clicking and startup noise

[bryankees]

Hello.. I am new to the forum and did a search about my problems and didn't really find anything significant. Will start from the beginning...
When I start the car, it revves around 1500 rpms, it calms down to 1000 after warm. When driving forward I get a grinding type noise either before going into 2nd gear or shortly after. The kicker is, it only happens the first time you start the car. Every other you time stop and go again, it's fine.

Second part. During the recent snow, I had a chance to use the traction control. I jumped on it a little to see what would happen and there was a clicking sound (the traction light did come on when I heard the noise). It also appears that the traction did not ingage, ie, the wheels were still spinning.

The van is a 2001 Windstar SE Sport, and has 38000 miles. This is our first winter with the van and I am thinking about going back to the dealer to complain about this (considering the start up noise started when it first got under 35* and I couldn't test the traction until the first snowfall. Any thoughts, ideas or questions? Thanks in advance!

[Dngrsone]

It sounds like a tranny problem... check your fluid level-- engine running warm and at idle on a level surface. Bring the fluid level up to that top line. Check your operator's guide and make sure you are using the correct fluid... I think it's Mercon V but don't quote me on that.

The car will rev faster upon start then calm down after a moment, that's perfectly normal. The grinding noise tells me that there isn't enough hydraulic fluid in the transmission case, which is why I asked you to check your levels. It may be a sticky valve (in the tranny) causing that problem as well, so if you are reading good on the fluid than I would recommend taking it in for a tranny checkup.

[bryankees]

update...
While driving tonite, the low pressure indicator light came on for my tires. I checked the tires and they are fine. I wonder if this all has to do with my antilock brakes??? The 'manual' claims that the sensor is engaged when the antilock brakes report a significantly different speed on one of the tires or something to that effect. Any thoughts on this addition? Thanks!