[Daneel]

Yesterday - driving home from work (gorgeous sunny - top down the whole way) I noticed the ESP light had come on.

Not sure the technical name for the symbol on the instrument cluster - but it is the orange icon of the car swerving. Normally, the light comes on either accelerating hard or in snow and one of the wheels slip. The light will also normally stay on if you press the ESP OFF button on the center console.

Yesterday however the light came on while on the highway (no wheel slippage) and stayed on. I tried pressing the ESP OFF button a few times, even tried holding it down for a bit.

I tried turning the car off then back on and the light stayed on.

Tried turning the car off and back on again, the second time the car started the light was off.

Has anyone else seen this?

I haven't been able to reproduce the problem (tried the ESP OFF button - works fine and tried spinning the tires; both test the ESP Light functioned normally).

Still under warranty but I can't recreate the issue - plus its a pain in the ass to get to a dealer for me.

E

 

[Eos_Up]

I hate it when something intermittently happens like your ESP light. The only time I've seen mine on was when my wheels briefly spun in snow.

Off topic, but would you mind posting a picture of your tow hitch? I'm wondering if you got one that goes down and around the lower trim piece or did you have to cut it in order for it to stick out?

 

[Daneel]

Off topic, but would you mind posting a picture of your tow hitch? I'm wondering if you got one that goes down and around the lower trim piece or did you have to cut it in order for it to stick out?

I did not have to cut the bumper or trim. The tow hitch sticks out just enough - not too visible but accessible.

It doesn't mount to as many solid hard points as the tow hitch on my Jetta did, so it is not as strong - 100lbs tongue weight with 1000lbs towing (Jetta was 200lbs and 2000lbs)

but for what I use it for it is perfect.

I'm going to do a little maintenance on it later today - ill try to grab a cell phone pic.

E

 

[benghez]

The ESP can be turned ON and OFF near the tire pressure memory button just above the gear shift.

 

[isangelous]

I dont know for sure if this applies to VW (as I dont yet own one), but usually a constant on ESP / TC light (assuming its not turned off - which you checked) means a fault with a sensor. If it only did it once its probably nothing to worry about - could just have received a bump, or noise on the electrics.

If it happens again its worth looking into. You might get an error code flagged. If not you can go around the ESP / ABS related parts checking wiring.