ESP button

[portsbruff]

The light comes on without me pushing the button and stays on untill i turn off engine. Then it resets its self and goes back to normal. It happens when i drive fast or brake quickly. Dont know if the button even works because i dont feel no differance in the drive when its on?

Passat 05 Auto 1.9 Dti

[ssopho]

I also had this problem one night, it was raining very heavy and lots of standing water-puddles.
Next day all was ok again? that was 7-8 weeks ago no sign of repeat.

[portsbruff]

i have a passat 05 auto 1.9 dti. The light comes on by its self quite alot on this car and u cant turn it off untill the engine is turned off the ok

[Stuart W]

I think the default position is for the ESP to be on, so when you restart the engine it's always on even if you've switched it off when the car was last running.

Presumably the reasoning is that it enhances safety because if you switch it off for any reason - for example, it can be easier climbing a snowy hill with it off - then you don't have to remember to switch it back on again.

As regards the dashboard warning light - if that's what's being referred to - it comes on briefly if the ESP is actually trying to help you out, but goes out again afterwards, thus I've only ever seen it very ocassionaly and very briefly.

Don't know if it actually helps though :o