ESP Light On: Troubleshooting & Solutions

Hello,
I have an Ibiza with a ASZ engine (96kW PD-TDI).

Since yesterday, I've been experiencing the following phenomenon:

The ESP warning light starts to illuminate continuously after exactly 10 minutes of driving (from the engine start) on every trip.
It doesn't matter if the engine is cold or warm, whether you're driving slowly or quickly, or whether you're on the highway or in city traffic. The warning light always starts to illuminate continuously after ten minutes.
If you briefly turn off the engine and immediately restart it, the light goes out, but it starts to illuminate again after about 10 minutes.

I've tested the ABS and TCS, and both are still working. I didn't really want to test the ESP, but... (Edit: Okay, I unintentionally tested the ESP last weekend, and it's also working.)

Does anyone know what this could be?

Regards,
Michael.

Hello Michael,

The only thing that will help is to read the error codes.

If one of the oxygen sensors fails, the ESP system will stop working, and the warning light will illuminate continuously. In this case, an error code will also be stored in the system's memory.

Hello,

It could also be a faulty magnetic coil in the brake booster. This would explain the 10-minute delay.
As Bertil wrote: Read the error codes.

It doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem with the ESP or ABS system. Even if a sensor on the engine, or for example, the diesel pump is incorrectly adjusted, and the control system deems it necessary to reduce torque, the warning light will illuminate. You will then have an error entry in the engine control unit and the ESP control unit. If the problem with the engine is then resolved, the ESP warning light will also no longer be on.

Best regards,

There are these stickers up to 190, for example, that you can put on your tires. Just stick one of those over the light that bothers you.

'In my case, all four injector pump elements failed - never again with biodiesel.'

Hello,
'Yesterday, I had the error codes read, and the following codes were displayed:'

17911 P1503 035
Load signal from generator terminal DF.
Unbelievable signal.

??? Can anyone make sense of this ???

The master technician in the workshop said that this isn't a clear error message, but rather that it could indicate various things. However, you have never experienced this 'lamp starts to light up after 10 minutes' phenomenon, so they will initially inquire with Seat.

Thank you in advance.

Regards,
Michael.

Golf IV PD Mod 2001!
I had the same error code in my car's diagnostic system as the VW technician, but he couldn't figure out what it meant. I was told to come back to the workshop three days later because they wanted to set up a direct line to VW in Wolfsburg to transfer data from the engine control unit.
Upon arriving home, I opened the hood and started checking all the wires and connectors. Eventually, I discovered that two cables, located above the starter, had been torn off due to a cable tie that was too tight. After I repaired the cables, the warning light for the ESP system also went out, and I was able to cancel the appointment at VW, 'fortunately' (they probably would have replaced the control unit or something).
Regards,
Volker.

Hi,
It was already in the workshop.

The ESP warning light was caused by a cable that was too tightly routed and had therefore become detached from a connector on the starter motor.

Regards,
Michael.

...I already told you about the problem with the cables!

Best regards,

Hello everyone,

This is my first time in this forum, and I already have a question.
I'm experiencing the exact same problem with my Ibiza (same model) as Anaron. I was at the workshop yesterday. The mechanic found a broken cable (excitation current for the LM) below the starter motor. The cable was immediately repaired .
After 10 minutes of driving, the same problem as before !
It was posted here that a detached cable above the starter motor was the cause!
@anaron: Could you please describe the location of the cable you had repaired in more detail? Or was it also the cable for the excitation current of the LM (likely referring to a specific component) located below the starter motor? Did you also experience intermittent charging (as indicated by the voltmeter)?
It's really urgent, because the key is currently at the workshop!

Regards,
Oli.

Hello,
The voltmeter has consistently provided accurate readings for me.
The workshop extended two cables for me; one was torn off, while the other one wasn't damaged yet.
Unfortunately, I can't describe the exact location to you, as I had it repaired under warranty at the workshop, and I wasn't even there myself.

Regards,
Michael.

Hello Michael,

Thank you very much for the quick response!
The issue was also resolved for me yesterday!
I had mentioned that two cables located below the starter (the cables for the LM's excitation current) were supposedly repaired, but the problem persisted. Now, it's a three-person operation, and the customer service manager repaired the cables (both were torn off at the connector) under time pressure, in my presence. Okay, fine, you're right > I should have let them do it properly...
The incompetent person actually managed to not properly connect the cables using crimp connectors. Test drives in Ibiza, after 10 minutes the same problems > went back to Seat and the deadline was set for the next day. Since yesterday, I only see the ASR indicator when accelerating (thanks to Jetbooster...).

As I said, thank you very much again.

Regards,

Oli.

Golf IV PD Mod 2001!
I had the same error code in my car's diagnostic system as the VW technician, but he couldn't figure out what it meant. I was told to come back to the workshop three days later because they wanted to set up a direct line to VW in Wolfsburg to transfer data from the engine control unit.
Upon arriving home, I opened the hood and started checking all the wires and connectors. Eventually, I discovered that two cables, located above the starter, had been torn off due to a cable tie that was too tight. After I repaired the cables, the warning light for the ESP system also went out, and I was able to cancel the appointment at VW, 'fortunately' (they probably would have replaced the control unit or something).
Regards,
Volker