The ESC light appears because the car is activating traction assistance at that very moment. Now, if this is happening out-of-context (like, it’s constantly lit all the time), there might be a wheel sensor issue, a tire alignment problem, or a faulty anti-lock brake module.
Your car's ESC light flashing is not something to ignore. Instead, it warns that something may risk your vehicle's integrity and you could be losing control. To ensure your safety on the road and prevent symptoms from worsening, you must learn the reasons behind the warning and what to do about it.
At the first sign of a flashing ESC light, we recommend communicating any concerns with a technician for professional assistance. Catching potential problems early on can save you time and money in the long run.
If you also notice the check engine light active, the tires slipping when accelerating, and a growling noise when braking or accelerating, there's an issue.
When your car tires start slipping, the ESC (Electronic Stability control) kicks in to keep you in control. It uses the anti-lock brakes and power control module to reduce power to the slipping wheel, so your car doesn't lose traction and spin. However, when the ESC works, the light turns on briefly. But, as soon as you restore traction, the light should turn off.
You might also notice both the ABS and ESC lights steadily on the car's dashboard. In addition, the vehicle might suffer more slips when accelerating on slippery roads.
The wheel speed sensor checks how fast each wheel spins and tells the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) module. If a wheel or group of wheels slips, the ESC uses the brake and power control modules to adjust these wheels' power, preventing them from slipping. If the speed sensor is faulty, the traction control and anti-lock brakes may flash when they shouldn't. Also, if there's an issue with the sensor, both the ABS and traction control shut off, flashing the warning lights.
You might also notice a "check engine" light on the dashboard.
The steering angle sensor tells the anti-lock brake and traction control systems which way the car is going and how fast it's turning. If the readings from the sensor are wrong or unstable, the ABS and ESC systems may turn on at the wrong times or even turn off completely if the problem is serious enough. Consequently, the vehicle is prompt to slip depending on road conditions.
You might also notice the ABS, "Check Engine," and ESC lights on the car's dashboard.
The ABS prevents your tires from slipping while braking or accelerating, helping you to control your vehicle in harsh driving conditions. If the ABS isn't working, it'll turn off, and your brakes may lock up on slippery roads.
You might also notice a "check engine" light flashing on your car's dashboard, indicating a deeper problem.
The ESC has an on/off switch that you can activate for specific driving conditions. If the switch is not functioning or there's a problem, the ESC warning light will stay on steadily.
Notice if your vehicle's braking and acceleration are slippery on wet roads. In addition, you might also notice a "check engine" light on the car's dashboard.
Tires with similar rolling distances are essential for vehicles with electronic stability control; each tire's length when spinning should be equal. Unfortunately, different tread designs and tire brands have different rolling distances, even if they're the same size. Also, worn tires have various measures than new ones. Using mismatched tires confuses the wheel speed sensors, triggering traction control or anti-lock brakes even while driving straight. This may also disable the ABS or ESC systems.
Explore the following typical inspection results that show a potential cause for the symptom and select the one you believe is similar to your vehicle's issue.
This image shows a car's panel. The red arrow points to an "ESP Off" button, which switches the ESC light off.
They loaned their car to their son for a few months, and after getting it back, they noticed that the ESC light was on. They said the last time this happened, they had to replace a wheel speed sensor.
The technician took the car for a test drive and saw that the ESC light was on. So they tried to toggle the ESC switch on the dashboard and found that the light would turn off and on again when flickering.
The technician did a vehicle health inspection and found no other issues related to the customer's concern.
The technician explained to the customer that some vehicles have a switch that turns off the ESC system. This is not the case with all cars, but it's here; the switch is on the dashboard. They showed the customer a picture of where the switch was.
The following chapters bases themselves on experiences from our auto repair shop; we'll describe related problems' causes and fixes.
Casablanca the axle replacement
Wiring harness replacement
Sensor pigtail replacement
Brake pedal assembly replacement
Brake pedal position sensor replacement
Computer Software update
Tire replacement
Sensor pigtail replacement
Wheel speed sensor replacement
Computer Software update
Air conditioning module replacement
Wiring harness repair or replacement
Computer module replacement
ESC switch replacement
Wheel alignment
ADAS Advanced driver assist system calibration
Steering angle sensor calibration
Tire replacement
Sensor pigtail replacement
Wheel speed sensor replacement
Steering angle sensor replacement
Computer Software update
Wiring harness repair or replacement
Computer module replacement
Steering angle recalibration
ESC switch replacement
Below are just a few examples of typical Symptoms and Fixes your car might be experiencing