esp light??

[gellyone]

Hello,

I have a MKV golf '54 2.0 gt tdi, and the esp light is staying on from start up, with the esp switch illuminated as OFF, operating the switch makes no difference.
My friend has connected his snap-on diagnostic tool, but it is not allowing him into the ESP to trace fault, reluctant to take it dealer, have checked brake lights all okay, any ideas??

Thanks

[BenjeMK5]

Most likely cause is a faulty ABS sensor I would have said.

I had a similar problem with my old car and found that the previous owner had wired in a cheap and nasty amplifier for his stereo on top of the ABS sensor wiring for my rear left wheel, every time it powered up it spiked the ESP system and produced the fault.

If you've had anything electrical fitted check where the wiring leads to and runs past. Like I say though I reckon it's most likely a faullty sensor that needs replacing but that's usually a quick diagnosis through VagCom to find the culprit and test.

Again I'm no mechanic but with my past experience I'd give it a once over before you take it to the dealers.

Good luck with it

B

[gellyone]

Thanks for that I hope it is something simple like a wheel sensor too, will have a look for anything obvious first, before the dreaded dealer!!

Thanks again....

[gellyone]

Bad News,

Took the car into Inde-Tech at Milton Keynes, John checked out the car and suspected initially a faulty brake light switch, which was fitted, alas, fault still existed which came up as 01435 012, Brake pressure sender 1 G- 201, electrical fault in circuit.

In English this transpired to be a faulty ABS CONTROL UNIT!!!!

This apparently is more common than I suspected and not cheap?

Anyone had anything similar, part number requiring replacement is 1K0907379K

Thanks

p.s. John at Inde-Tech was very honest and straight talking, I will be going back ..

[timp3243]

The same problem has just started on my 2005 Golf SE 1.6 FSI. The ESP light is on continuously from when the ignition is switched on.

The ESP switch has no effect. All other functions seem to be unaffected - all internal and external lights work. I have checked that all the fuses are ok and securely plugged in.

This problem started just 5 days after the 3-year warranty expired and 2 weeks after it was serviced! :-(

Did you make any progress in getting this fixed, what was the problem and, more importantly, how much did it cost to fix?

Has anyone else got any ideas?

Thanks,
Tim

[knt]

Also happened to my 4 year old car. They said the sensor and unit would need replacing @ ~£400.

[gellyone]

Hello,
The end result was total replacement of ABS unit (control unit + hydraulic pump) £945+vat for the part !!!Not happy with VW !! I will be pursuing money back this is not an uncommon problem do some searching and put pressure on VW as you are so close to end of warranty period, go to VWUK if no joy at dealer,

Good luck and let me know how you get on,

Gellyone

[timp3243]

Took the Golf into my Volkswagen dealer today and they had a look at it.

They very kindly did the diagnosis for free, but the fault description sounded familiar:

"Investigated for ESP light on. Carried out guide fault finding test. Found fault with brake press sender. Carried out test plan and confirmed ABS control/hydraulic unit faulty. Requires new un[it]. £1482.15 inc"

The dealer is going to contact the warranty administrator next week to see what they will offer (the car is just out of warranty).

I know the ABS works because I deliberately tested it last week to make sure, so presumably a small part of the ABS control unit (which contains the ESP electronics) has gone wrong.

Tim

[euroslap]

Took the Golf into my Volkswagen dealer today and they had a look at it.

They very kindly did the diagnosis for free, but the fault description sounded familiar:

"Investigated for ESP light on. Carried out guide fault finding test. Found fault with brake press sender. Carried out test plan and confirmed ABS control/hydraulic unit faulty. Requires new un[it]. £1482.15 inc"

The dealer is going to contact the warranty administrator next week to see what they will offer (the car is just out of warranty).

I know the ABS works because I deliberately tested it last week to make sure, so presumably a small part of the ABS control unit (which contains the ESP electronics) has gone wrong.

Tim

If the ABS is working, I'd get second opinion as to the fault before I'd shell out the best part of £1500. If the fault was attributed to the control unit I wouldn't expect the ABS to be working.

[knt]

How come these faults tend to crop up usually just after the 3 years warranty is up?

I gonna get the extended warranty from vw just to be on the safe side.