Discussion
I have a Kia Optima and it’s not moved for nearly a month. Unfortunately the MOT has now expired, so I thought I’d SORN the car as the likely hood is it won’t be used for some time.When I went to move it, I noticed the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) light has come on, not sure how as it wasn’t on when I parked up
but now wondering if it will be an MOT fail? Manual says to take it nearest dealership and google reckons wheel or speed sensors buggered.
but now wondering if it will be an MOT fail? Manual says to take it nearest dealership and google reckons wheel or speed sensors buggered.lost in espace said:
Might need to get over a certain speed to go out.
I thought the pubs were closed?To the OP:
If the car has not been used for a while, it could simply be (as suggested above) low battery voltage. Fully charge the battery, then take the car for a good run. See if that affects the warning light before you try anything else.
Bit knackered now as due to the expiry of the MOT taking it for a drive etc is out of the question
I’ve seen a few you tube videos on possible simple causes, along with a few quick fixes, but unfortunately none of them have worked. Battery will come off next, but still turns the engine over with what seems like plenty of power.
Last question, would a small Indy likely sort the issue out? Car is now out of its 7 yr warranty so reluctant to pay dealer prices, but thinking along the lines of their diagnostic equipment possibly not being as sophisticated.
I’ve seen a few you tube videos on possible simple causes, along with a few quick fixes, but unfortunately none of them have worked. Battery will come off next, but still turns the engine over with what seems like plenty of power. Last question, would a small Indy likely sort the issue out? Car is now out of its 7 yr warranty so reluctant to pay dealer prices, but thinking along the lines of their diagnostic equipment possibly not being as sophisticated.
tony wright said:
Bit knackered now as due to the expiry of the MOT taking it for a drive etc is out of the question I’ve seen a few you tube videos on possible simple causes, along with a few quick fixes, but unfortunately none of them have worked. Battery will come off next, but still turns the engine over with what seems like plenty of power.
Last question, would a small Indy likely sort the issue out? Car is now out of its 7 yr warranty so reluctant to pay dealer prices, but thinking along the lines of their diagnostic equipment possibly not being as sophisticated.
My old Mercedes SLK's battery ran out of juice a few weeks back (to the extent the central locking wouldn't work and the clock had reset). I jump started it and the ABS/Traction control failure light came on. This is apparently normal when the battery has got so flat. Took it out for a drive for half an hour and the battery was back to health and when I restarted the errors had gone. I’ve seen a few you tube videos on possible simple causes, along with a few quick fixes, but unfortunately none of them have worked. Battery will come off next, but still turns the engine over with what seems like plenty of power. Last question, would a small Indy likely sort the issue out? Car is now out of its 7 yr warranty so reluctant to pay dealer prices, but thinking along the lines of their diagnostic equipment possibly not being as sophisticated.
Traction control/Stability control, requires the car to "know" the performance of the car. So many things can trigger the fault light which by themselves would not lead you to think of that system. Low tyre pressures, weak engine power (due perhaps to not being driven for a while, damp plug leads etc.) The one family it is least likely to be in my experience is anything directly to do with the Traction/stability control. I have a hazy memory of an O2 sensor going on my girlfriend IS250 that triggered the EML, but also the Stability/traction control. (I.e. engine operating outside of known parameters, therefore TCS set to inoperative)
Charge battery, start car, get it properly warm, if you can't drive out anywhere, just idle out on driveway for 30 mins. Check tyre pressures. Then turn it off and back on again.
Hope for the best
Charge battery, start car, get it properly warm, if you can't drive out anywhere, just idle out on driveway for 30 mins. Check tyre pressures. Then turn it off and back on again.
Hope for the best
My Passat has started doing this regularly, and always at the same place on my commute to work (which is luckily about 300m from my workplace). The lights (ESC, ABS and handbrake, and sometimes power steering as well) illuminates on a sharp left turn on a fairly high-speed cloverleaf junction, almost like it doesn't like the G-forces it's getting. If I drive slower it doesn't happen, but I keep forgetting 
When I leave work the lights don't illuminate, and everything is fine. It's going for a service tomorrow so I've asked my local indie to have a look at it. I'm going to guess it's a sensor (wheel speed?) sending garbage back or similar (crosses fingers it's not the ABS module).
When I leave work the lights don't illuminate, and everything is fine. It's going for a service tomorrow so I've asked my local indie to have a look at it. I'm going to guess it's a sensor (wheel speed?) sending garbage back or similar (crosses fingers it's not the ABS module).
Paul the Painter said:
Traction control/Stability control, requires the car to "know" the performance of the car. So many things can trigger the fault light which by themselves would not lead you to think of that system. Low tyre pressures, weak engine power (due perhaps to not being driven for a while, damp plug leads etc.) The one family it is least likely to be in my experience is anything directly to do with the Traction/stability control. I have a hazy memory of an O2 sensor going on my girlfriend IS250 that triggered the EML, but also the Stability/traction control. (I.e. engine operating outside of known parameters, therefore TCS set to inoperative)
Charge battery, start car, get it properly warm, if you can't drive out anywhere, just idle out on driveway for 30 mins. Check tyre pressures. Then turn it off and back on again.
Hope for the best
Re bold bit. Yes this happened on my Lexus IS250 as well. Had me confused at the time as couldn't understand how an O2 sensor could case the TCS light to come on. Charge battery, start car, get it properly warm, if you can't drive out anywhere, just idle out on driveway for 30 mins. Check tyre pressures. Then turn it off and back on again.
Hope for the best
Jimboka said:
Have you tried ‘exercising’ the ESC?
The dash on my wife’s car was lit up like a Christmas tree .. Cleared it by wheel spins & emergency stop!
A few years ago, my Golf did exactly this after being stood - Once warmed up (not even for a drive) and charged, the problem went away...The dash on my wife’s car was lit up like a Christmas tree .. Cleared it by wheel spins & emergency stop!
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