ESP Light – Meaning, Function & Causes (What to do?)

It is hard to find any modern car that does not have an Electronic Stability Control or any variation.

The ESP has been attributed to the reduction of many road accidents on the roads.

However, many people get confused when they hear DSC, VSA, ESC, or VDC, but all these terms function similarly. Each manufacturer has its own system.

For example, Volvo uses dynamic stability & traction control (DSTC) while the ESP system comes from Volkswagen, but the systems are very similar.

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What does the ESP light mean?

The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) warning light indicates there is a problem with your electronic stability program system or that you are driving on a slippery surface. When you drive through slippery surfaces, the ESP light will turn on and flash on your dashboard when it’s working.

If the light is constant, you have a problem associated with your Electronic Stability Program.

How does the ESP system work?

The ESP does not work alone. It works in conjunction with the traction control and the anti-locking brakes (ABS). Modern cars have an onboard computer that monitors most of the car’s functions.

If one wheel slips, the ESP will control the other wheels by reducing power and applying brakings to correct your car’s stability.

The ESP can also inform the car’s engine to reduce power if your car is steering dangerously. This will then influence the power that is being supplied to individual wheels. This comes in handy when, for example, you keep revving the car on the icy ground, but there is no traction on the wheels. Power will be reduced; hence, enabling you to have more grip on the wheel.

6 Causes of an ESP warning light

The most common reason the ESP light illuminates is because of a faulty ABS sensor or ABS ring. It can also be caused by issues like a bad throttle body, brake pedal switch, or steering sensor. If it’s blinking while driving on a slippery surface, it’s working correctly.

The ESP works together with the ABS. This makes it hard to identify the main cause of the problem immediately.

To determine the problem causing the ESP light, it is always recommended to check the trouble codes with a diagnostic scanner.

Here is a more detailed list of the most common causes of an ESP light.

1. Faulty wheel ABS sensors

The wheel sensors send information about each wheel’s speed to the ABS control unit. The ABS control unit then measures this information and applies necessary solutions when one or more wheel slips.

If one ABS sensor fails, it may think that one wheel slips but it doesn’t, which will cause the light to come on.

2. Faulty ABS rings

The same thing applies to the ABS rings. The ABS sensor measures the wheel speed from the ABS rings, and it happens that these rings break, which will cause it to measure the wrong speed.

3. Faulty Throttle body

The throttle body is used to control the power output for the ESP system when your car slips. If there is anything wrong with the throttle body, it will cause the ESP light to come on.

4. Faulty Brake Pedal Switch

The ESP system needs to know when you are pressing the brake pedal. For this function to work properly, there is a brake pedal switch installed on your brake pedal.

If this switch is faulty and sending out wrong information, it may cause the ESP light to come on.

5. Faulty Steering Angle sensor

The ESP system does also uses the steering angle to calculate what to do in a slipping situation. If your steering angle sensor is becoming worse or is not programmed correctly, it may cause the ESP light to come on.

6. ABS wiring issues

You do also have wirings from the ABS control unit to each wheel sensor at each wheel. These wires move a lot because of the suspension, and this can often cause the wirings to become worse when your vehicle becomes old.

The easiest method to see this is to measure the ABS sensors from the connector plug at the control unit. To do so, you need to check a repair manual for the correct pinout.

What to do if the ESP light comes on?

If your ESP light comes on you need to check the trouble codes with an OBD2 scanner to see what is causing the ESP light to come on. By just guessing and replacing parts, which you think are faulty, will only cause you to waste all your money if you are lucky.

You can either check the trouble codes at a workshop or do it yourself at home with an OBD2 scanner.

17 thoughts on "ESP Light – Meaning, Function & Causes (What to do?)"

My abs light and traction light and eps light is on I have a 2012 Kia Optima ex and all these lights weren’t on yesterday but came on this morning it’s raining also any advice on what’s going on

My Audi just write ESP on the dashboard and switched off now it refuses to start.

Have a 2005 jeep grand Cherokee 5.7 hemi the esp diable light came on loosing power . Pull over shut car off wait 5minutes starts up no problem , This can last 3-5 days then happens again . repeat shut can off restart fine 3-5 days what gives? John

Got insignia 2.0 diesel 13plate Since having clutch and slave cylinder done my service air bag and service ESP come on when first start then go off after ,20, mins Any ideas why please

Esp light came on ford Mondeo. Stayed on untill I stopped. Turned engine off and removed key Restarted car and no light and has been fine since. Why would this have happened.

Hi I am desperate a woman alone in miami No honest mechanic at all no English speaker and also not good mechanic experience ( lucky if you find a sincere one I have a Ml 350 2006 Dont live time and car park close to ocean so get all rusty I get back I change break to this mechanic and disappear never call back And after change break on the front ABS AND ESPN LIGHT CAME OUT. I bet scared as car get as stuck in the middle of the street and only after I drive 4 miles thanks God I was not in freeway I am tired of be ripped off and tow and wonder if is also cause a spy of second battery of Mercedes come out as I change one 2 year ago but cause they change transmission and lot of money I change only one battery put away cable when went to Europe for 6 months then I put back work fine and after few time no drive this spy both come out mechanic say change break but 2 times I drive and ceck engine and what I state above come Out and scared if will get stuck in the street the car again and I have car on the back

I've a very similar problem thst ism looking it to fixing for someone else what was the solution for your car pls

I have a 2004 mercedes kompressor c180 and it isnt starting might be an esp error but not too sure

Can you drive car when it says esp needs service

Yes, the esp will just be turned off but the abs will still work as normal.

hi i also have the esp light on the dash on which means the trackon controll system is off i replaced the rack and the ecu and motor combine the abs does not light up so iam guessing its okay it drives okay no lose of power i have ddone the aniclock wise and clockwise turn of the motor and take the key out but no change i am thinking it may be the angle touge sensor in the steering rack or the speed rings on the front drive sharfts its a peugeot 2010 /207 1.6 and also a code comes up c1388 thanks

Just had my 2012 Renault 1.6 Diesel Grand Picasso, over a week, and when veering left, the esp light comes on and then goes off when you take the stearing To the right, under warranty but concerned, what could this be? Cheers Simon,

Had front us tyre changed for part worn, since then skiddy wheel light Tends to stay on

Esp light comes on after 10 mind of driving normally quickly followed by steering light on vw golf mk 5. Sometimes other faults quickly follow. I've had faults checked and most show intermittent communication. Car is vw golf mk5 I've had different suggestions from faulty ecu to steering angle sensor. Can't a ford to spend fortune on guessing.

My astra turbo model for 2013 keep on showing the ESP SIGN

Astra turbo model for 2013 having the problem with the ESP SIGN even you go forward and REVERSED

My esp light has come on and the car is shuddering as i accelerate. It has a new mot and i think they sorted the codes out