ESP/BAS light sometimes activates on startup.

[ZMagnum]

I've had this problem since my car was new (2008 Magnum R/T). Every once in a while after driving and the engine is hot the ESP/BAS light comes on after parking and then starting it up a little later. The light will not go out until I perform the steering calibration. There are no codes that I can read with the Predator or the key dance trick. I let my dealership know but it only happens rarely. It's hard to get anything done about it when the problem is intermittent like this. I'm thinking it may have something to do with the car moving a little after I apply the parking brake when shutting it down but that's only a guess.

Does anyone have an idea about what I can do? Could this possibly be normal?

[Tbird100636]

I've had this problem since my car was new (2008 Magnum R/T). Every once in a while after driving and the engine is hot the ESP/BAS light comes on after parking and then starting it up a little later. The light will not go out until I perform the steering calibration. There are no codes that I can read with the Predator or the key dance trick. I let my dealership know but it only happens rarely. It's hard to get anything done about it when the problem is intermittent like this. I'm thinking it may have something to do with the car moving a little after I apply the parking brake when shutting it down but that's only a guess.

Does anyone have an idea about what I can do? Could this possibly be normal?

This is not normal. I don't know how feasible this is for you but the next time the light comes on, DO NOT SHUT THE CAR OFF. DO NOT RECALIBRATE THE STEERING. DRIVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER AND HAVE THEM CHECK THE CODES. EVEN IF THE LIGHT TURNS OFF ON THE WAY THERE SHOULD STILL BE A CODE STORED IN THE ABS.

[typicalmarine]

same happens to me once in a blue moon. I turn off the car, turn it back on and it's gone.

[stitchmonkey]

I have an 05 R/T and happens once in a great while since Ive had the predator

[MikeEast]

There should be codes in there, Mike-the-Tech in VT showed me where my car had a whole bunch stored that I didn't see or know about.

Interestingly enough, there are a LOT of things that light ESP/BAS - like the steering column angle sensor, if it doesn't know which way the steering wheel is pointed it can't do the ESP thing.

Push all the fuses in and see how many 'give' a little - they will 'crunch' a little, then find all the grounds in the power system and make sure they are tight, I think that might help some in the long run.

Mike

[hemi iam]

This Might Be A Dumb Question But What Is The Esp/bas ??

[ZMagnum]

This is not normal. I don't know how feasible this is for you but the next time the light comes on, DO NOT SHUT THE CAR OFF. DO NOT RECALIBRATE THE STEERING. DRIVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER AND HAVE THEM CHECK THE CODES. EVEN IF THE LIGHT TURNS OFF ON THE WAY THERE SHOULD STILL BE A CODE STORED IN THE ABS.

The only problem is I will have to put it back to stock and run it like that for a while until it happens again. It did this before I had the Predator and after I got the Predator and installed tunes so I know it's not the Predator's fault.

Thanks for the advice. I had heard that there are additional fault codes that can't be read by the key dance or Predator.

[ZMagnum]

There should be codes in there, Mike-the-Tech in VT showed me where my car had a whole bunch stored that I didn't see or know about.

Interestingly enough, there are a LOT of things that light ESP/BAS - like the steering column angle sensor, if it doesn't know which way the steering wheel is pointed it can't do the ESP thing.

Push all the fuses in and see how many 'give' a little - they will 'crunch' a little, then find all the grounds in the power system and make sure they are tight, I think that might help some in the long run.

Mike

I did this when I first got the car but I'll do it again. Thanks.

[ZMagnum]

This Might Be A Dumb Question But What Is The Esp/bas ??

It's a dash error light (ESP/BAS) that will come on if there is a problem with your ESP system. It comes on for a lot of reasons having to do with ESP control. One simple case is if you disconnect your battery and later connect it back up again. The "steering angle sensor" needs to be recalibrated so the ESP/BAS light comes on. You just have to turn the wheel all the way to the left and right, shut the engine off and then start it again. Once you get rolling the light will go out. Even though I've not disconnected my battery mine lights up from time to time so something else is wrong.

[CHARGERTREV]

I LOVE mine off......lol

[MikeEast]

ESP/BAS = Electronic Stability Program / Brake Assist System (I think those are the correct words)

On my recent adventure with the SCCM (steering column control module) deciding to only wake up on a power cycle, rather than waking up from a nap, I found lots of stuff that can light up the ESP/BAS indicator on the dash.

The stability program can't steer the car (with the brakes) if it doesn't know where the steering wheel is pointed, that's the angle sensor thing. When it does light up, try all the various controls you have and see if they all work - if you have the steering wheel buttons, try them all, use the turn signals, try to get high beams and cruise control - and windshield washers/wipers too.

If that all works when your ESP/BAS indicator is lit, then at least you can rule out the SCCM.

Good luck figuring this one out..

Mike

[ZMagnum]

Last night I pressed all the fuses and relays down. A few crunched a little. I checked the battery and ground. It looked good. I checked the front wheel sensors. I wiggled them and made sure the wires were tight. It looked good as well. Driving around today all is well but only time will tell.