ESP Failure: Causes and Solutions

Hi.
Currently, I have a Bora AHL 90PS BF 99 in for service.
The ESP (Electronic Stability Program) is not functioning. However, the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is working. The ESP cannot be deactivated using the switch. It's as if the ESP system wasn't installed in the vehicle. However, the switch is present, and the equipment list indicates that ESP is installed. There are no error codes stored in the diagnostic system. The wheel sensors are also working normally. Perhaps you have some ideas.

Best regards, Bolzer.

Hello.

"By 'not working', do you mean that it's not responding to the switch, or something else?"
Check the switch. They sometimes break.


Best regards, Cosi.

Or maybe someone had the ESP system deactivated because one of the expensive sensors under the steering wheel was defective and was causing the error light to come on ?
Does the ESP light illuminate when the ignition is turned on?

Hi.
The ESP light is not illuminating on the dashboard. That's a good idea. It would be quite something if a workshop had deactivated it. Since the ABS is still working, that's a possibility. I'll check that out tonight.

I don't think the switch itself is broken, because the ESP should still work if that were the case. It's just there to turn it off. However, we will still check it.
Danke erstmal für die Tipps. I'll get back to you.
We are happy to receive any further suggestions.

Best regards, Bolzer.

Hi.
Here's the interim result. It appears that the workshop actually deactivated the ESP system. It was coded as 03304, which only represents ABS. I then entered 13304, but still, the ESP system cannot be found. Also, the warning light is still not illuminated in the cockpit. I'll take a closer look tomorrow; perhaps something else will become apparent. Is there a way to identify the workshop based on the workshop code?
Best regards, Bolzer.

What is the part number of the ABS control unit?

In principle, you can use the WSC to locate the workshop.

Would you not have had to encode it as 18945, possibly 241 or 209?
Your coding is only compatible with EDS, but not with ESP?
You didn't specify the built-in control unit.

Or what are we even talking about here?

Hi.

@vagtuning: You are absolutely right. I didn't feel like troubleshooting much yesterday and I confused ESP with EDS on my list. It's clear who can read and understand things properly.

Otherwise, the problem is solved. I was misled. After the control unit didn't accept the ESP coding, I became suspicious. The car originally has the ESP switch with all the necessary connectors in the wiring harness and lighting, but ESP is not installed. I obtained the equipment list from our local VW/Audi dealer. It shows that the car was not delivered with ESP, but it does have the switch and connectors. The dealer's comment: Even VW makes mistakes. Has this happened before, where the ESP switch was installed, but there's no actual ESP system? How will the TÜV (German technical inspection) handle this, as they now have to check electronic systems? Will they also look at the switch?
Best regards, Bolzer.

That sounds strange; I've never encountered anything like that in the past 11 years.

It would still be interesting to see the part number of the control unit again...

Hi.
The control unit part number is 1J0 907 379 G.
I hope you can solve this "puzzle".
Best regards, Bolzer.

Bolzer wrote:

So, the control unit part number is 1J0 907 379 G. I hope you can solve this "puzzle".

This is a dedicated ABS control unit; it does not include EDS, ASR, or, most importantly, ESP.

Hi.
Then the question remains: why did VW install the ESP switch and also connect the cables? Has this happened before?
Otherwise, thank you again for your help.
Best regards, Bolzer.

I would also like to have Electronic Stability Control (ESC). It helps you get around corners a bit faster.
But the effort required to retrofit something like that is extremely high.
My next car will probably be a Quattro.

Steffarn wrote:

I would also like ESD. It helps you get out of curves a bit faster. But the effort required to retrofit something like that is extremely high.

Does ESD only work up to a certain speed? If you drive just a little faster, then ESD no longer offers any advantage...

My experience is that when approaching the limit with a completely balanced approach (which makes the most sense), simply turning off ESP is often less impactful than other factors, such as the traction available for acceleration.