ESP light comes on

[Vi0letta]

HI Guys,
So i bought a 2001 Audi A4, and it looks and drives well (or so it seems to me). I do daily 40 mile round trip, and occasionally the ESP yelloy light comes on and stays on until I turn off the engine. However when I turn the car back on the light comes on for a few seconds and goes off as it should.
There is also a ESP button on the dash, tried pressing it when the light is on, but see or feel no difference in how the car handles, nor the light goes off.

Is this anything I should be worried about or get checked out?
Don't really want to be paying for having it checked and/or fixed, if it is not life threatening

[stevieturbo]

Obviously it is something that needs looked at, and if the light does not follow it's correct procedures it will be an MOT fail.

Could be a wheel speed sensor, steering sensor ( if fitted ) or any number of things

[Pumaracing]

Of course the light doesn't go off when you press the ESP button. That disables the ESP system and illuminates the light permanently to act as a warning. If the light was already on anyway then it stays on.

As to why the light is coming on in the first place, firstly check that the tyres are the same size all round. Just having 205/55/16 on the rear and 205/50/16 on the front of my Ford Focus is sufficient to alert the ESP system that the wheels are rotating at slightly different rates and trigger the system. If that's ok then it's probably a wheel sensor fault.

[Steve_D]

If it were a wheel sensor fault would you not get an ABS light as well seeing as they will be using the same sensors?

I suspect there is a steering angle sensor. this may have failed but more likely the ribbon cable within the steering wheel.

Steve

[SuperchargedVR6]

Most commonly caused by a bad MAF (G70) and less commonly a bad yaw angle sensor (G202).

[Vi0letta]

Thanks everyone! It seems that the ESP light comes on and off at random times, but not every day.
If it doesn't come on for another day or two, would you advice i still take it for a check up or wait until it lights up permanently every day?

[stevieturbo]

Vi0letta said:

Thanks everyone! It seems that the ESP light comes on and off at random times, but not every day.
If it doesn't come on for another day or two, would you advice i still take it for a check up or wait until it lights up permanently every day?

As an intermittent fault, it could be a nightmare to track down

At least when it's a solid fault, it should be a lot easier.

[Vi0letta]

I suppose I'll carry on driving until the light is on permanently, like you said then it will be easier to investigate the fault.
Unless, it is dangerous to drive with ESP off?

[stevieturbo]

Vi0letta said:

I suppose I'll carry on driving until the light is on permanently, like you said then it will be easier to investigate the fault.
Unless, it is dangerous to drive with ESP off?

depends how bad your driving is lol

[SuperchargedVR6]

Vi0letta said:

Thanks everyone! It seems that the ESP light comes on and off at random times, but not every day.
If it doesn't come on for another day or two, would you advice i still take it for a check up or wait until it lights up permanently every day?

Yep, I gave you the diagnosis. Google it if you want further opinions on it. Very common in that era of VAG vehicle.

I don't know why VAG decided to throw up a safety warning light for an engine load sensor. Probably to draw people into the dealership so they can play the parts lottery game to generate more ££s.

[Vi0letta]

stevieturbo said:

depends how bad your driving is lol

I am a very sensible driver! hahaha

[Vi0letta]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

Yep, I gave you the diagnosis. Google it if you want further opinions on it. Very common in that era of VAG vehicle.

I don't know why VAG decided to throw up a safety warning light for an engine load sensor. Probably to draw people into the dealership so they can play the parts lottery game to generate more ££s.

Thank you! I'd have to google more info on it. They are just some codes to me lol
But i agree with you, it is more likely just to be another way to generate more ££££. As if they are not charging enough for the car to start with!
Will see if it gets too bad, or may just leave it for the MOT, if it carries on as it is now

[OutlanderMKD]

Hi , I drive a4 2006 b6 , and i do have the same problem .. By any chance you found out what is the problem ?