3 weeks in - ESP problem - best course of action

[Kiwi79]

Hello PHers,

I have had my car for only 3 weeks and today it wouldn't start: Audi dashboard flashing up ESP warning and just click, clicking when turning the key. Lights and car radio work so that seems to rule out flat battery.

Given that I bought this used from a fairly large dealer at market rate - what is the best course of action. I want to call them up shortly and explain the problem but from a position of knowledge so they don't try and fob me off.

Dealer is quite far away and obviously I can't actually take the car to them anyway as it won't start!

They said the car had a 3 month warranty when I bought it but would this fall under "warranty" or basic sale of goods expectations on a £14k car.

Thanks


Simon

[s3fella]

You're battery is flat, get it on a starter or charger. As for why, well that could be duff battery, or something draining it. What audi is it? Some A3s and TTS have dashpod issues and also issues with the door switches that can leave interior lights on overnight and cause a drain.

Charge your battery up fully then see how it goes, lots of dashpod warning lights are due to low voltages caused by a battery or charging problem. Also check the connections on the battery are good and to the fuse boxes on top of the battery also.

[anonymous-user]

That doesn't rule out the battery, could easily be enough juice to run lights etc but not enough to turn the starter. Try a jump start.

[GreatGranny]

Call the dealer and explain the problem. Ask them what they are going to do about sorting it.

If there is a warranty (Were you given paperwork or did the salesman just tell you its has a 3 months warranty?) then check if this type of thing is covered.

Try to keep it on good terms.

ETA, ignore my post of it turns out just to be a flat battery :-)

[Kiwi79]

Thanks for the replies. Yes I could call first I was only asking so I had some idea of my rights/their obligations as a dealer before phoning them.

Thank you for the battery suggestion - I took it out yesterday and put it on a charger this reached ready and maintaining status, popped it back in the car but no joy, same ESP problem. It doesn't 100% rule out the battery being the cause, I guess, but its the best I can do as a non techie.

Will be calling the garage and see what they say.

[fatjon]

ESP certainly on others and I think probably also on Audis asserts a fault if the battery is too low before engine starting. The logic is that if the engine stalls or fails while in motion the battery must be sufficiently charged to allow the ESP system to still work as designed and not do anything unpredictable and leave you as a lamp post decoration. It is in all probability a battery problem and worth giving it a good charge at zero cost before getting it towed with all the associated time and hassle. Nothing to loose really.

[mattfuey]

Kiwi79 said:

Thanks for the replies. Yes I could call first I was only asking so I had some idea of my rights/their obligations as a dealer before phoning them.

Thank you for the battery suggestion - I took it out yesterday and put it on a charger this reached ready and maintaining status, popped it back in the car but no joy, same ESP problem. It doesn't 100% rule out the battery being the cause, I guess, but its the best I can do as a non techie.

Will be calling the garage and see what they say.

My A3 used to flash up an ESP warning all the time, the battery was dying. Same problem as you with starting as well, just a click, and all lights and the radio were still working.

One new battery later, and all was well in the world.

[Blue Oval84]

I'm sure it's an EPS warning lamp in my A4 and not an ESP warning. It refers to a problem with engine management or power systems and has nothing to do with the ESP system.

ESP is covered by a totally different light that is a symbol instead of words. Is the A3 different?