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jeepmatt1
Joined: 04/26/2013 Posts: 8 Karma: +4 / -0
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27-04-2013, 21:26 Subject: Check Engine Light On After ESP Activation |
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Good day to everyone,
I'm from Switzerland and new here. I've only been using VCDS for a few months, but I find it very user-friendly and really good. I've already been able to do a lot with it, but I still have limited experience.
Okay, I'm having a problem with my Caddy 2k Life, which has a 1.6-liter gasoline engine, manual transmission, ABS, and ESP, but no ASR.
"I noticed during the winter that when the ESP system engages, the engine warning light blinks instead of the usual ESP light; and the same light illuminates when the ESP off button is pressed. Until now, I haven't been too concerned because it seemed like everything was working. However, I recently had the vehicle inspected (Swiss TÜV), and the inspector had to press that very same ESP off button. As a result, he pointed out that the warning lights are not functioning correctly, and therefore, the proper functioning of the exhaust and engine diagnostics cannot be guaranteed. The inspection was not passed."
The nearby VW service center was kind enough to check the service history and it turned out that the ABS unit was replaced in 2009. They checked the coding, but everything seemed okay. Of course, they wouldn't provide a written confirmation that the systems are functioning properly. They suggested that one possible solution would be to replace the instrument cluster, as the issue might be related to that.
Okay, before I let the VW dealer spend a lot of money on replacing parts randomly, I've already checked everything myself using the VCDS diagnostic tool. The attached file shows the car scan. The error in the engine control unit has already been fixed, and I still need to address the issue with the air conditioning, but that's not related to the ESP system.
I haven't found anything similar in the search, and I'm really stuck. Moreover, the diagnostic tool says that the ESP/ASR light is working, but it's the engine light that's on.
Could it be that I installed the wrong combination instrument?
The right ESP lamp always passes the light test.
Can someone help me?
Thank you very much.
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Log-TI 41706-WV2ZZZ2KZ7X126253-101960km-27.04.2013.txt |
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Translated on 12-09-2026, 9:10.
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dieselschrauber Administrator


Joined: 04/12/2002 Posts: 18113 Karma: +800 / -0 Location: St.Gallen 2018 Volkswagen T6 
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28-04-2013, 10:47 Subject: Check Engine Light On After ESP Activation |
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Hello Matt,
Based on the current information, the following causes seem likely:
- It was "tampered with" or "visually enhanced," and in the process, some things were "misrepresented."
- The combination instrument is simply defective.
- Lights incorrectly connected (Is that even possible? Has anyone ever disassembled a speedometer?)
- The ESP/ABS system is sending a message to the engine control unit that is different from what is expected.
The ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and instrument cluster codes appear to be correct, and the part numbers also seem reasonable.
Best regards, Rainer.
Translated on 12-09-2026, 9:14.
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jeepmatt1
Joined: 04/26/2013 Posts: 8 Karma: +4 / -0
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28-04-2013, 23:01 Subject: Check Engine Light On After ESP Activation |
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Hello Rainer,
First of all, thank you very much for the response.
So, actually, nothing has been changed on the speedometer; everything is still original.
I've also considered the possibility of a wrong connection, but I thought that all the circuits for the lights should go through the control unit (or am I wrong?).
Probably the combination instrument is defective...
I'll take a closer look and see if I can find anything.
I will report...
Thank you very much and best regards.
Translated on 12-09-2026, 9:15.
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Herbert Profi-Schrauber

Joined: 06/22/2005 Posts: 4627 Karma: +1342 / -0
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29-04-2013, 6:58 Subject: Check Engine Light On After ESP Activation |
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Just a thought - since the ESP is considered safety-critical, perhaps a backup function should activate even if the warning light fails. In that case, the instrument cluster could come into play and use a different indicator light.
Take a look at the indicator light.
hg
Herbert.
Horch A4 8K CJCD
Golf 7 DDYA
(+ Audi 80 Avant B4 1Z 475Tkm - habe ich vom ersten bis zum letzten Tag gerne gefahren)
(+ Passat Variant 32B CY 400Tkm)
Translated on 12-09-2026, 9:16.
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jeepmatt1
Joined: 04/26/2013 Posts: 8 Karma: +4 / -0
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29-04-2013, 18:05 Subject: Check Engine Light On After ESP Activation |
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Hello,
Today, I opened up the instrument cluster and immediately noticed a cable that didn't seem to fit with the rest of the components.
Someone disconnected the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) light and ran a wire to the engine light. The engine light itself was disconnected from its original connection and isolated.
Currently, for an as yet unexplained reason, the soldering point for the engine warning light is always energized (meaning the engine warning light is always on, even though there are no error codes). The ESP warning light illuminates when an engine fault occurs (tested by disconnecting the knock sensor), as well as when the ESP system intervenes or the ESP button is pressed.
The person who modified the system, likely someone familiar with tinkering, probably thought it was more important for the engine light to turn off than the ESP light, and therefore made the modification accordingly.
I'm going to assume that the instrument cluster is faulty.
I will attach the VCDS log again tomorrow and see what messages it contains.
Here are some pictures of the crafting project.
Sure, here's the translation:
"Hi Matt"
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| Kombinstrument Elektronik, Caddy 2k Life |
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| Kombinstrument Elektronik, Caddy 2k Life |
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| Kombinstrument Elektronik, Caddy 2k Life |
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Translated on 12-09-2026, 9:18.
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dieselschrauber Administrator


Joined: 04/12/2002 Posts: 18113 Karma: +800 / -0 Location: St.Gallen 2018 Volkswagen T6 
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29-04-2013, 20:42 Subject: Check Engine Light On After ESP Activation |
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Thank you for the pictures!
Translated on 12-09-2026, 9:19.
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jeepmatt1
Joined: 04/26/2013 Posts: 8 Karma: +4 / -0
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30-04-2013, 11:34 Subject: Check Engine Light On After ESP Activation |
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Okay, I've checked the control units again, and everything is fine. There are no unusual entries except for communication errors, which are likely due to me having removed the instrument cluster.
I went for the vehicle inspection, and I passed because the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) light is now working correctly.
I left the engine light on because it keeps coming on constantly.
As mentioned before, there is still an error, as the engine diagnostics are now being displayed by the ESP warning light.
I'll look for a used speedometer with a similar mileage and then test my defective one, and I'll report back later.
Greetings and thank you all for your input.
Translated on 12-09-2026, 9:20.
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dieselschrauber Administrator


Joined: 04/12/2002 Posts: 18113 Karma: +800 / -0 Location: St.Gallen 2018 Volkswagen T6 
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30-04-2013, 11:47 Subject: Check Engine Light On After ESP Activation |
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You're welcome  .
Translated on 12-09-2026, 9:21.
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