Traction control questions 99 sonata

Hi,

I just got this car about 2 weeks ago, so I am unfamiliar with the way
this traction control is suppose to work and sound.

Here's what I have: When starting on a slippery surface, the traction
control light (TCS) comes on and flashes while engaging. When it engages
and goes from wheel to wheel you can hear it engaging and unengaging but
it sounds kind of like a gear grind while this happens (kind of like a
wratchet on the backswing)...is that normal-the flashing light and
gearmesh sound? when driving on a road and I hit a patch of snow or
somthing, I don't hear any gearmeshing sound, and the TCS light
illuminates and flashes while the TCS is engaged.

 

It all sounds pretty normal. The light flashing you see indicates the TCS
is actually doing something active at the time. The noise you describe is
the TCS activating the ABS. It's entirely possible that when driving along,
you may not have encountered a condition that caused the TCS to engage ABS
to assist, although the TCS may be limiting engine power at that time.