MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: loop on September 26, 2016, 10:52:03 pm

Title: ESP Light Fault
Post by: loop on September 26, 2016, 10:52:03 pm
I have a recurring fault where when driving along the ESP lights up on the dash and the skid symbol appears and the car powers down to about 40mph and becomes a bit juddery. Pressing the ESP switch does nothing it stays lit.
I have to pull over and switch the ignition off, then re-start the car and all is fine again with all the lights on dash cleared.  It used to happen once or twice every 6 months but now it's 2 or 3 times a month so I know I need to get it looked at.
Does anyone know what the problem could be?


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Title: Re: ESP Light Fault
Post by: RMK87 on September 26, 2016, 11:06:04 pm
Best to get it read for faults.

Could it be an ABS or a speed sensor of sorts?
Title: Re: ESP Light Fault
Post by: loop on September 27, 2016, 02:27:52 pm
Best to get it read for faults.

Could it be an ABS or a speed sensor of sorts?
Can't really afford to take it into VW at the moment so was hoping someone might have an idea of what it could be.


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Title: Re: ESP Light Fault
Post by: dronners on September 27, 2016, 02:29:38 pm
i'd say ABS sensors faulty but as above you will need a scan to tell you which one. maybe someone in your local area can do it for beer tokens
Title: Re: ESP Light Fault
Post by: lukemk5gti on September 27, 2016, 03:12:21 pm
Get a fellow member to scan it!

Could be something as simple as a sensor but in all my years on the forum I've never heard of a similar issue
Title: Re: ESP Light Fault
Post by: rashg60 on September 27, 2016, 03:35:25 pm
I had a very similar problem to yours and it continued for several months without me doing anything about it, until one day my brakes failed and I sh*t myself!!!!

The problem was the ABS Speed Sensors on the rear wheels. Quite a relatively easy fix. Bought two 2 new speed sensors from TPS (approx. £70 each) and fitted myself. Didn't even have to take the wheel off. Just jacked up and you can see them behind the wheels. Alternatively, you can actually take them out and give them a good clean. There is a very good guide on Google that I followed. Mine were rusted in and they broke, hence I had to replace them. Otherwise would have just cleaned them.

This is the guide I followed:-

http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36862

Before doing the above though, I'd scan it with VCDS just to make sure that is the problem. It could always be something else, but seems highly unlikely from your description.

Either way, let us know how you get on.
Title: Re: ESP Light Fault
Post by: leebes on September 28, 2016, 03:39:31 pm
Had a similar issue on my 07 Gti. ESP and ABS light coming on intermittently and reset by an engine start, but it never went into 'limp mode'.

Got a friend to scan it with VDCS, nothing conclusive, but read an error on the nearside rear ABS sensor. After reading a number of threads etc the most common cause was the ABS sensor ring on the bearing itself...fitted a new one and all was good and has been ever since.

From my research on this, it was either the ABS sensor, the sensor ring on the bearing or very rarely the sensor inside the ABS pump. Hopefully not the later as thats an expensive part to replace, although I believe VW have a 'fix kit' for it rather than replacing the whole unit.
Title: Re: ESP Light Fault
Post by: loop on September 28, 2016, 06:09:07 pm
Ok thanks all for the feedback, got me a bit worried about the brakes potentially failing so I will look to get it sorted soon. It's strange as some days or even for a few weeks the car runs fine with no hint of a fault, then suddenly it appears again. Usually when I'm doing over/around 50mph and the ESP and EPC and anti-skid lights come on and the car loses speed, accelerator ceases to work (is this limp home mode?) and I have to find somewhere to pull over and restart. Every time the faults clear on restarting so I wonder why they appear in the first place.


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Title: Re: ESP Light Fault
Post by: leebes on September 28, 2016, 06:25:06 pm
That definitely sounds like an ABS sensor or the sensor ring on the bearing. Now you said '50 mph ish' that reminded me of mine...exactly the same....get up to speed and the sensor loses contact with the bearing ring and flags up an ABS error.

The ring on the wheel bearing is open to rust...bit of rush breaks the sensor contact...hey presto your dash lights up! VDCS should tell your which wheel is flagging the error
Title: Re: ESP Light Fault
Post by: leebes on September 28, 2016, 07:51:39 pm
Additional bit of info for you...

If it turns out to be the ABS ring on the bearing you can't just change the ring itself, you have to replace the whole bearing as VW kindly made the ring part of the bearing...thanks VW  :happy2:

I picked one up off ebay for a decent price if I remember correctly
Title: Re: ESP Light Fault
Post by: loop on October 06, 2016, 06:50:51 pm
Ok I had it scanned at the weekend and there's nothing wrong with the ABS. There is an intermittent fault with the throttle valve controller, usually occurs when decelerating e.g. When approaching a roundabout. I've been told the wiring between the throttle body and ECU needs to be checked.


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