ABS and ESP error

[jklad]

Originally Posted by Grahame

This is a fortunate thread as I was going to ask the same question. My ABS/ESP light came on yesterday on the way back from the high country. I'd got the left hand wheels caught in a rut that dragged a heap of mud inside my front left wheel the day before. The light didn't come on until I was well and truely on the black top, so I suspected the wheel sensor. I drove home from Mansfield most of the way on the cruise control. When I got home I removed all the wheels and hit the whole underneath with the Karcher. The lights are still on today. My Scanguage is not showing any codes. When I think about it I recall thinking that the ABS was coming on at strange times in the dirt the two days before the light. It was activating with very little brake pressure but not in every case. I also noticed that the ESP wasn't activating when it normally did when slipping a bit in the dirt.

Yep, I experienced the unusual feeling with the brakes too prior to the lights eventually staying on, particularly when the ABS/TCS would kick in on a sharp bend while braking on a gravel road and suddenly disengage (with the dash lights suddenly appearing) and the wheels would lock putting me into a sideways slide. Dealer diagnosed on open-circut in the ABS pump (but replaced the control module as well, which suddenly gave me Hill Start Assist on my MY '09) and in my case I think I may know the cause, as I dunked the thing on it's RH side up to the top of the driver's side headlight in a muddy waterhole.

[DavidJ]

Originally Posted by Grahame

I drove home from Mansfield most of the way on the cruise control.

Cruise control won't engage if ABS malfunctions.

[sjs]

my esp/abs lights have come on intermittantly stay on until you stop switch off then when you go again it seems to reset. usually happens on a straight road in cruise control about 80k.
hasn't done it for a while but will prob happen tomorrow now seeing as i've written this

[Yom]

for the others with issues:

-ESP light will turn on after a while of driving if your steering wheel is not centered properly. This can technically only be centered if you have an AEV Procal or a dealer scan tool.

-Front wheel speed sensors cannot be contaminated by mud or dirt. If they do get contaminated, the wheel bearings will also need to be replaced as there will be mud and dirt inside the sealed wheel bearing assembly. Only the rears can be affected by mud/dirt ingress.

-ESP activation while under braking when turning left or right van be caused by worn axle ball joints, the sensation is usually the brake pedal pulsating and braking effect only occurring on the wheel opposite to the direction of your turn - I have had this event at speeds as low as 20km/hr.

-No swaybars or extra body roll from a crap lift can and will cause very early ESP activation when cornering, the effects of this will be felt from whole vehicle getting brake application and power being cut.

[wranglertj]

Originally Posted by Yom

-ESP light will turn on after a while of driving if your steering wheel is not centered properly. This can technically only be centered if you have an AEV Procal or a dealer scan tool.

.

did you use the word 'technically' as your escape clause

technically speaking this is true but for those of us with skill and awe you can easily straighten it yourself and fix the ESP issue if that is your problem as have done it many times myself without problem as i know others have too.

[Yom]

there is no skill in trial and error.

[Grahame]

Originally Posted by wranglertj

did you use the word 'technically' as your escape clause

technically speaking this is true but for those of us with skill and awe you can easily straighten it yourself and fix the ESP issue if that is your problem as have done it many times myself without problem as i know others have too.

My steering wheel isn't centred properly and after some of the responses in this thread I'm thinking this is my problem. I've had a look underneath and can't see anything bent or damaged. Since I lack skill and awe, can you tell me how you straighten these things yourself? I assume it's more than just pulling the steering wheel off and putting it back on?