ESP light has been on for 2 years now, so I figured its time to fix it. Can I order it online? It looks easy enough, but a DIY would be nice.

 

RMeuropean usually have stock - could also be ESP module.

Before you do anything -with car running turn steering from lock to lock 5 times to reset the steering angle sensor. Sometimes this is all that's needed.

 

Thanks, but I already tried that... When I took the car to the stealer for the vacuum leak, the SA noted the ESP message. He said the tech mentioned something about the sensor in the steering wheel. Nothing like a free diagnosis.

 

OK - then fit a new angle sensor.

 

so if that light is on.. Does it mean the ESP has been shut down? And also for 2 years driving without ESP how's that been treating you?

 

If it says "ESP Unavailable" in the cluster then ESP is not functioning and will not step in if you get in over your head. The car would drive just like a non-ESP equipped car and you'd never know anything was wrong until you were in an emergency situation. ESP has saved my *** a couple of times.

 

The message is "ESP Malfunction Visit Workshop... It started during the winter so I went to a parking lot and tested it, and it functions fine. The steering angle sensor is one of many sensors used to generate a "model" of the slip event. Unfortunately, without that sensor the car doesn't know my exact intent, so I assume the algorithm defaults to a worst-case slip model.

 

There is not a plain yes - no answer to this question. In some situations with the ESP light on it operates on a default map & in other situations the unit is inoperative. Interrogating OBDII data will sometimes give you an indication but without a Star best to test. Different cars give different messages. "ESP Unavailable" should mean it's out of circuit.

If the light is on you will never have optimum ESP operation.

 

Interesting. Learn something new everyday.

 

when driving in a straight line does your steering wheel stay dead centre? or is it slightly out of line?

When i drove over a gutter with the front, the front wheel went out of alignment causing the steering wheel to stay crooked when driving straight. i got the front wheels re-alligned and did the 5 steering lock from side to side procedure to reset the steering sensor and its all good now.

 

But your comment was accurate!

 

ya my esp error went off last year for a week...took it only to find out that stealership wanted 250 just to find out why it was on exactly...i laughed. then they told my my extended warranty doesnt cover it and it would be 600 to replace. I told them to F off and I left. Light has never come on since...althogh my steering wheel is always pushed slightly to the right even after alignments. so maybe I'll try that reset procedure.

 

You can explain as it has done thanks...

 

We have a slight language problem here - no problem

Are you asking how to do this?

If so - Stop the car on level ground & with the engine running turn the steering wheel from full left to full right 5 times. This will reset the steering angle sensor.

 

Well I finally got around to replacing the steering angle sensor (replaced A 169 464 01 18 with A 169 464 11 18). The ESP malfunction message changed to ESP unavailable, then disappeared after lock to lock and a drive down the street!!

 

What did it cost ya?

 

$277