PDA

View Full Version : ESP Warning Light



tomuky
01-08-2014, 01:59 PM
Looking for any advice.

A few weeks ago my "Malfunction Indicator Lamp" (MIL) came on. So I scheduled an appointment with my dealership to take a look. Then the light went out before the appointment so naturally I didn't take it in. I thought it was fine. I did notice the engine was a lot louder than usual one time when I began to drive.

Then this deep freeze happened here in Ohio this week. On Tuesday, the coldest day of our lifetimes, my wife gets in the car and starts to drive to work. Then the ESP light comes on and the little icon of the car swerving, also the car self imposes a max speed limit of 5 mph. The gas pedal is not doing anything. She can't go any faster. So she crawls back home.

So I wait until the deep freeze is over. It's a sizzling 20 degrees today. I turn it on and let it warm up. At this point, the ESP light is on, the swerving car, AND the MIL is on. So 3 lights total. On. Then I drive it slowly down the road, and it remembers how to drive. Then the ESP and swerving car icons go out so now it's just the MIL on.

While driving on slippery roads, my car no longers tells me I'm slipping. The caution light won't come on. I know I'm slipping because I'll hit the breaks while driving on ice and I hear the usual slipping crunching sound, but my car never tells me I'm slipping like it used to. This is after the ESP light isn't on anymore. Which is strange.

I just took it to Autozone to have the engine diagnosed. That was a mistake because they don't even have Audi in their computers. Closest thing was a VW. And the diagnosis said "Throttle actuator control motor circuit range/performance. Cause: bent or damaged throttle plate/body. Cause: check throttle valve control module."

The dealership can't look at my A4 until Jan 20th so that's obviously too far away (I booked an appointment anyways just in case).

The research that I've found was that it could either be something to do with the MAF (Mass Air Flow) Sensor or that the PCV valve needs to be changed.

I have this garage mechanic guy that can take a look but I'll feel much better figuring it out beforehand and letting him know exactly what is wrong. Any help is much appreciated! Thank you!

LoKisSpYdR
01-08-2014, 02:19 PM
VAGCOM your car and post codes. Go onto regionals and find one in your area. There's also a VAGCOM website that will help you look up someone with one locally who is willing to help. Without codes we'd all just be guessing.

My guess:
Get some isopropyl alcohol or connector cleaner and clean the connector on the throttle body.

Biged243
01-08-2014, 03:12 PM
Search realign throttle body it's been covered in the past 12 hrs or so

Silveravant
01-09-2014, 08:07 AM
EPS light does not come on with ABS, only with traction or stability control. Try spinning the wheels with throttle on ice or snow and see what happens.

blackcivic11
01-09-2014, 09:12 AM
It is indeed your throttle body.. this has been mentioned over and over the past 2 weeks. Common problem on the b7 a4 it seems. Mine does it here and there but only around -25 degrees celcius and under.

Should be getting P2101 as a code relating to the throttle body actuator