ESP light staying on

[zz2h33]

TIP trans.

The car has been acting up the past week or so. When its cold, the ESP light stays on and it drives weird, like it has no torque in first gear. Does this in TIP or in D. It shifts fine, it just feels like it has no low end power at all. Once I drive it for a while, and the trans gets up to operating temp, it seems to be fine, I can shut the car off and the ESP light stays off. I'll park it for a few hours and it does it again. No CEL. Any clues? Please dont say the trans or TC are screwed.

[zz2h33]

I talked to my Audi mechanic friend and wow i would have never have guessed his prognosis. looks like its the brake light switch acting up. he said that if the ecm thinks you are braking and giving throttle at the same time it will pull fuel, and that is exactly what seems to be happening. so i went out, started the car and left it in Park (the ESP light would never come on at this point, seemed only after shifting into drive the ESP would go on). So i just pressed the brake and released it and sure enough the ESP light went on and stayed on. The brake lights are functioning correctly tho, but he says there is a separate circuit that feeds the ecm. So, sounds like i need to replace the switch. Anyone done this? looks like a PITA, I cant even see the damn thing without my inspection mirror. I think i'll have him do it.

Just an FYI for anyone else that might run into this. Weird symptom for this issue.

[Sp3C14L 3D]

wow thats so weird

[taydam]

yup should be the break light switch, same thing happened to me a couple weeks ago ... i dont understand how it works either but that was the problem

[gq9]

Yeah common problem, faulty brake light switch. Replaced under warranty.

[CTUltrasport]

Same exact thing just happened to me. My ESP light was coming on randomly while driving, then would be gone after the next start up. I thought it was really odd so I took it to Audi. They said they were finding a cyl #2 misfire...ended up not finding a fix for it, so Audi replaced the engine block. 4 weeks later, I get the car back and sure enough the ESP light pops on again. Took it back to the dealership and they stated that there has been an intermittant brake light switch error. They didn't replace it and rather cleared everything and sure enough as I was driving home it came on again. I am fed up with taking it back down there, so I am just going to wait to do it during my next oil change or something.

[04TurboB6]

i was having the same problem...it turns on....while im driving...the next start up its off....then on...and off.....didn't know the brake light switch could cause that

[tdmopar59]

haha same exact problem here was gonna post about it and just read this... any idea how to replace this??

[A13ART]

i used to have the same problem and i drove on it til my trans blew then got everything fixed and my mas air flow wen bad again on on came that esp light again so its back in the shop

[Brenden]

My ESP light comes on after about 10 minutes of driving and will stay on until I turnthe car off. I took it into the dealership and they found nothing wrong, and claimed the light never came on for them. Sure enough as soon as I leave the dealership, 10 minutes or so and the light is back on. After speaking to a few members they recommended I check my MAF / clean it as it could be the problem. I haven't gotten around to it yet, however, I would definatly check it out and let us know how it goes.

[Crayola]

I've ran into this problem also. It started when the weather here was in the negatives. I yet need to check the brake light switch and the MAF sensor. I'm leaning towards the problem coming from the MAF because of the rough idle during cold starts.

I will stop procrastinating and check it out this weekend and let everyone know what happens.

[sergeA4]

happened to me as well, apparently its a common problem, and the part is like 5 bucks

[shawn120]

I have had the same problem periodically for the last 6 months. I will come on randomly, and stay on until I restart. I have had it into the shop twice, and they tell me no errors show up. If anyone finds out the cause, please post it!

Thanks

[tdmopar59]

cleaned the MAF sensor tonight and i still have the same problem... I'm gonna try the brake light switch or whatever tomora night hopefully

[zz2h33]

its for sure the brake light switch guys, when i start my car the light is off...just pressing the brake makes the light go on and stay on. i'm surprised tho that you guys dont notice how slow the car drives with the light on, i can tell the computer is really pulling timing. anyway, havent gotten around to replacing it yet as i'm currently in australia.

[dextrek]

I experience the same issue...but only when it's cold outside. Anything to do with the temperature?

[kwimberly]

I remember this happening to the MkIV Jettas. Obviously no ESP light on those, but the brake light switch was a common failure.

[spectzix]

hey guys

my car is in the dealership being checked

it is for some other issue, however since this ESP light problem happens to me, i asked them to check it too

and they told me they could check it, but it would be $135 for a diagnosis, unless something is found wrong with it, then only the $50 deductible from warranty would apply

since people in this thread mention that when dealer checks it at the shop it usually does not turn on, it only does so randomly when driving, and resets after you restart the engine

should I tell them not to diagnose it? so i dont have to waste $135 dollars? but what if it is really a problem?

HELP soon!! they are checking it on monday

[02B6]

Whats involved in the faulty brake light switch? What is the part, and how is it do fix?

What exactly does the switch do? I know on the tips, when the brake is pressed, the clicking sound from under the dash, but what about manual trans?

[afozzie40]

^^same question manual trans

[spectzix]

hey guys

my car is in the dealership being checked

it is for some other issue, however since this ESP light problem happens to me, i asked them to check it too

and they told me they could check it, but it would be $135 for a diagnosis, unless something is found wrong with it, then only the $50 deductible from warranty would apply

since people in this thread mention that when dealer checks it at the shop it usually does not turn on, it only does so randomly when driving, and resets after you restart the engine

should I tell them not to diagnose it? so i dont have to waste $135 dollars? but what if it is really a problem?

HELP soon!! they are checking it on monday

anyone??? bump