My Passat 2002 TDI S 130 has started to light up the ESP warning light on the dashboard.?

Have a 2003 TDi 115 Passat and have the same bother with the ESP. It all started about a month ago when it used to randomly flash for a few seconds and the back of the car would sit down as though the handbrake were applied. At the same time this started happening we were beginning to hear a noise in the front of the car while turning. Turned out it was a busted CV joint (yes in a 2003! i couldn't believe it either!) Car was never abused at all. Mechanic friend of mine told me the ESP light was probably coming on due to shaking of the wheel being caused by the bad CV joint. So i expected it to go when it was fixed. All was good for a while until it started to stay on permenantly. Car isn't handling any different but light stays on until car is restarted, in which case light will stay off for a while but comes back on again. Thats the way it currently is now and I don't know whats causing it. Car seems to handle normally. Regarding your key being cut, i would most likely guess with my experience of VWs that there are a handful of not so good ones out there and that getting involved in electricals is just putting yourself in for bad luck. Personally i couldn't be bothered bringing it to a garage because they'll rob you just for looking under the bonnet and saying they don't know. Either that or they'll say they fixed it and as sure as i'm standing here it'll come back on in a few weeks. My suggestion would be (and i'm going to do it myself) is locate a mechanic who specialises in VWs and who knows his stuff about the electricals who can stand there and tell you that he knows EXACTLY where to find the problem because from experience VW garages don't always know what they're on about. A whole lot simpler idea is to just sell it if you want peace of mind but not sure if you want to do that because they're a lovely car otherwise! Good luck and if you get anywhere please let me know as i'd like to get mine sorted too.

Vw Passat Warning Lights

The light on your dash indicates that there is a fault with your esp, and yes you do need to take it to a VW dealer who can plug it into there computer systems and locate the fault, now you could just ignore it but is it really worth the risk, Esp is more than just traction control, the cars on board computer system detects any movement that may cause the car to over steer/ under-steer by applying the brakes and reducing power to each wheel.

most likely to be an abs wheel sensor on the blink. in todays nanny state, the car knows more than the driver about what is about to happen, but with a sensor down its clueless.

its a simple operation to replace it -from a dealer point of view.

by way of a self test you could dry jumping on the brakes. if correct, you should be able to lock the wheels/have no sensation of the abs pulsing through the pedal.

and before anyone starts calling me irresponsible for promoting a bit of fun on the drive home from work, get a life.

This is a known fault. Ur problem is the plug and socket behind the cylinder head. There known for gettin water in. Try cleaning it first but worst case a new housing. Iv brought so many audi,vw, skodas with this problem because garages have told them the head gasket or cylinders. Iv heard alsorts but that is the problem. Hope it helps

yes i drive a skoda same as the V W i had my heater plug light on thinking it was the heater plugs wearing i kept on driving until it was pointed out i had no brake lights shame it was a policeman so yes it may look as if it is the traction sensor but is it have it checked out

ESP is like traction control, take it to a VW dealer if you give a crap about it, I wouldnt bother.

I had the same problem. I replaced my Mass Air Flow Sensor and it went away. Wierd huh

better change that rubber timing belt.