If you need to switch off the ESC system, you can do so by pressing and holding the "ESC Off" switch for five seconds. After doing this, an "ESC Off" alarm will appear on the odometer and the ESC warning light will come on. In some cases, the ESC light comes on if your car is actively trying to maintain traction control. If the ESC light stays on, it means that your vehicle is not under control.
And if the ESC light stays on for an extended period of time, your ESC may be malfunctioning, or the system has been manually disabled. The most common cause of an ESC light is that the system is switched off or that the wheel speed sensors are faulty. But while these are the most common causes of an ESC light, they are not the only things to look for. Below we've highlighted the four most common reasons why your vehicle's ESC light might be on Founder, owner and lead author of Mechanic Base.
I have been repairing cars for over 10 years, specialising in advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting. I have also been a drifting driver and mechanic for over 7 years. The light on the dashboard could have multiple meanings so it is important to understand how your particular system works. Generally, the light will illuminate when the computer is actively trying to maintain control.
This light will remain on only as long as the vehicle is not under control. If the light stays on constantly, it is likely that a malfunction has been detected or the system has been manually shut down. A faulty brake light switch may activate the ESC light. However, be aware that the ESC light may be an indicator that you are driving on a slippery road, and you may need to slow down to improve your control.
ESC helps prevent a car from "spinning" or "jackknifing" due to loss of traction on the road. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) came about as a result of the advancement of anti-lock braking systems (ABS) over the years. In addition, ESC features a control unit that tracks the angle of the car's steering wheel, along with the rotation around the vehicle's vertical axis. In some extreme driving conditions, the vehicle is not travelling in the direction the steering wheel is pointing, the ESC will reduce engine power and apply the brakes to the individual wheels in order to return the vehicle on the intended path.
However, if the ESC light comes on when it shouldn't or stays on all the time (when you haven't turned the system off), it is not a safe driving condition. And if it is an ESC defect, you should take your car to an auto repair shop to correct the problem as soon as possible. Electronic stability control (ESC) may also be called electronic stability programme (ESP) or dynamic stability control (DSC). This mechanic once spent half a day troubleshooting an ESC system that activated erroneously at high speeds, only to discover that the problem was a battery with a dead cell.
While ESC can help reduce the risk of spinning and jackknifing, it will not necessarily prevent the car from rolling over. ESC automatically applies the brakes to each of your car's wheels, thus preventing your vehicle from spinning or rolling. Your vehicle's ESC system works by monitoring each wheel speed sensor and adjusting the brakes to accommodate any discrepancies it detects.
