ESP, ABS and power streering lights on - how to fix it?

[zYx]

Hello,

Some time ago, ESP and ABS lights started coming on randomly and sometimes at around 75mph. I was ignoring it, but I need to fix it now.

The other day i had to disconnect the battery, and when I connected it back the ABS light doesn't come on, but the ESP and the power steering lights are on now.

All lights mean some kind of malfunction.

Is this something I need to be worried about or is it just a computer glitch and needs resetting? If so, what is the best diagnostic tool I can get on ebay to fiddle with A3 8P 2006?

Thanks in advance!

[zollaf]

this 2013 LAUNCH CREADER CRP123 PRO DIAGNOSTIC SCANNER USA ASAIN EURO CARS 1996-2013 | eBay
is a good piece of kit. most of the cheaper ones are only any good for obd faults, you need a more specific machine. personally, if you only want to use it on your a3 i would get vcds, or find someone local with it who can read your codes. there is a map with locations on of members willing to help.

[zYx]

Are you saying this is a glitch that requires resetting only? Wont a £5 VCDS cable do the job?

Thanks for the map I did look there. Should I just send a PM to someone who's near me?

[Fexo]

this 2013 LAUNCH CREADER CRP123 PRO DIAGNOSTIC SCANNER USA ASAIN EURO CARS 1996-2013 | eBay
is a good piece of kit. most of the cheaper ones are only any good for obd faults, you need a more specific machine. personally, if you only want to use it on your a3 i would get vcds, or find someone local with it who can read your codes. there is a map with locations on of members willing to help.

Good God! £5K for a scanner!

[zollaf]

thats cheap. my snapon modis would set you back 7. the autologic set up will cost more, then 10k per cartridge for each make of car. but thats as good as they come and will do more than any computer. this is why us traders get a bit narked when people moan about paying for a scan or claim their 30 quid ebay scanner is dealer level.

[Fexo]

thats cheap. my snapon modis would set you back 7. the autologic set up will cost more, then 10k per cartridge for each make of car. but thats as good as they come and will do more than any computer. this is why us traders get a bit narked when people moan about paying for a scan or claim their 30 quid ebay scanner is dealer level.

Actually, I just looked at the sales history as selling over 100 of those seemed a lot. There has been an accidental "5" added at the beginning of the price, so they are about £150........

[zYx]

Hm... the lights went away today and I haven't even done anything. They will probably come up again...

[alankru]

What I think has happened is that you've had the battery disconnected for a while and this has cleared the ABS fault - hence why the ABS light has now gone out...and this is also the reason why the ESP and power steering light has come on. It is normal for the ESP and power steering light to come on after the battery has been disconnected for a while and they go out after you've driven a short distance.

But you are correct, if the fault returns then so will the ABS light.

[zYx]

Are there any common causes for this? or do you reckon it's just a ecu glitch?

[alankru]

I believe that this is a common problem. Search for ABS on this page: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar.../?section=good (and even on the similar VW Golf Mk V page). In particular note the comment regarding the fuse. Given the circumstances etc. you have described in your first post, this does seem plausible as you clearly have an intermittent issue going on. I know of someone myself that had an ABS fault with their Fabia. The garage replaced the ABS control unit to then discover it was the fuse.