Today’s vehicles have more safety features and sensors than you’re probably even aware of. Most of the time these features stay in the background, and you don’t even need to know that they’re there. But sometimes, this accident-preventing and potentially life-saving features start to act up – and when they do, it’s important to know what to do. But what exactly does an esc off light on dashboard mean, and what should you do when you see it?
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What Is The Meaning Of The Esc Light?
The ESC light stands for the electric stability control light. This system works hand in hand with your vehicle’s traction control system. In order to help you control your vehicle in dangerous conditions.
What Are The Functions Of The Esc Light?
The ESC light is there to alert you when there is a problem in the electronic stability control circuit or that your stability control system is currently in use. When this happens, it either means that there’s a problem somewhere in the system, or everything is working as it should, and it’s keeping you from skidding across the road.
If it is working you’ll feel your vehicle applying the brakes to individual wheels, and the light is going to flash on and off. But if there’s a problem in the system, the light will stay on, and you’re not likely to notice anything.
What Is The Meaning Of Esc Off Light On Dashboard?
The electric stability control (ESC) off indicator is located on the instrument panel. This light is illuminated when the ESC has manually been turned off. If the light popped up while driving and the button was not selected. It indicates that an error has been detected in the electric stability control system.
When the ESC Off light is on, it means that your car is probably not under control. And if the ESC light continues to stay on, it’s likely that the ESC has malfunctioned or has been manually turned off.
The Esc off light typically appears in a vehicle as a result of only two reasons, which are;
- When the ESC has been manually turned off
- When an error has been detected in the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
What Are The Causes Of ESC Light Off On The Dashboard?
There are many causes of the ESC off light being on, but the most common cause is either it has been turned off manually, or the wheel speed sensors are faulty.
But there could be other factors to consider when the light is on. Highlighted below are four main reasons your car’s ESC indicator might be on.
1. The ESC System Is Turned Off:-
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) can be turned off manually as manufacturers install an override switch in most vehicles.
As the ESC system affects drifting professional drivers can turn it off, and doing this causes the ESC off light to come on.
2. Faulty Steering Angle Sensor:-
The steering angle sensor is a sub-system of the ESC as it measures the angle the steering is turned to and at the same time the direction of the vehicle as it moves and sends the info in real-time to the ESC’s primary control system.
Nevertheless, when the steering angle sensor malfunctions or does not provide accurate information that the turn is normal to the Engine Control Unit, the ESC will think that one side of the wheels is slipping, causing the ESC off light to come on.
3. Faulty Wheel Speed Sensors:-
If the ESC off light is caused due to a problem that is from within the system, there is an excellent probability of a faulty speed sensor. The vehicle’s ESC system works by monitoring the speed of each wheel and adjusting the breaks to compensate for any speed differences in individual wheels.
On the other hand, if one of the wheel speed sensors is faulty, then the ESC system will have problems causing the ESC off light to come on.
4. Faulty Wiring/Electrical Problems
In this case, the sensors might be okay, but wrong or broken electrical connections between the Engine Control Unit (ECU) and the sensors could be the cause of the ESC off light.
Although wiring could rarely be the problem, it could still happen as some part of the wiring is exposed, especially at the wheels where you have the wheel speed sensors.
What Does It Mean If The ESC Light Comes On While Driving?
What Happens When Electronic Stability Control Fails?
Since electronic stability control is an extension of the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traction control system (TCS). It’s typically safe to drive a vehicle that has an ESC malfunction. Electronic stability control systems can activate brake calipers and modulate the engine power, but malfunctioning systems usually fail to operate at all.
If you notice the DSP, ESP, or ESC light come on, it’s a good idea to have it checked out by a qualified mechanic. However, you should be able to continue driving the vehicle as if it didn’t have stability control.
If you continue to drive the vehicle, be especially careful on wet pavement and sharp corners. If your vehicle starts to oversteer or understeer, you’ll have to back off and make the corrections on your own.
Is It Safe To Turn Off The Electronic Stability Control In Your Car?
Some people believe esc off light on dashboard gives them more control of the vehicle and greater speed. Turning off ESC can be handy if you have a high-performance car and you race on a track. For the vast majority of people, however, there’s no reason to disable electronic stability control. Doing so could increase your chances of an accident.
Driving with the ESC off indicator lights on is generally unsafe. If you’re going on a slippery road or maybe ice and the light comes on while you’re kidding, there is nothing to worry about since the system works.
However, if the ESC off indicator light comes on when it shouldn’t or is always on, it isn’t a safe condition for you to be driving in.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Electronic Stability Control?
The average cost for traction control switch replacement is between $99 and $111. Labor costs are estimated between $47 and $59 while parts are priced at $52. This range does not include taxes and fees and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location.
Important Things To Know About Esc Light?
If you’re driving your car and there is an esc off light on dashboard, your ESC is working correctly. But you still need to know how to manage your car’s ESC properly. So, here are some important things you need to know about your car’s ESC that will help you do just that.
1. ABS helps prevent your car’s wheels from locking up so you can steer your vehicle to safety in an emergency. If you encounter any issues with your car’s ABS, they may impact your vehicle’s ESC, too. Thus, if you have your ABS repaired, ensure your ESC is evaluated at the same time. This allows you to keep your ABS and ESC working in combination with one another when you drive.
2. Underinflated or overinflated tires can impact your car’s ability to grip the road. They can also affect the performance of your car’s ESC. Generally, it helps to check your car’s tire pressure at least once a month.
3. ESC is a helpful technology, but you always need to prioritize safe driving, regardless of road or weather conditions. If you follow the rules of the road, you can limit the risk of spin-outs, plow-outs, and rollovers that can lead to accidents and collisions.
How Do You Fix The Esc Light?
Suppose the ESC indicator light is still on even after replacing the battery. In that case, all that’s left for you to do is to take the car out on a short test drive and make sure to perform several left and right turns so that the system does a quick self-check, and once that’s complete, the ESC light indicator is meant to turn off automatically.
Conclusion:-
We hope the above-mentioned information about an esc off light on dashboard will be helpful to all the readers. If anybody’s doubts persist feel free to comment in the comment section below. We’ll definitely try to solve your doubts as soon as possible.