ESP Light on S-max

creedp

The ESP light came on on my S-Max yesterday while I was driving and I thought th car felt sluggish. When I started it later the light didn't come on and it felt fine. I am supposed to be heading on a 200km journey today and wondering if anyone could advise whether this is a problem I need looking into or could I leave it until next week. Grateful for any advice.

Thanks

CiniO

Did it come on and stayed on until you turned off the engine, or maybe it came on only for few seconds?

creedp

CiniO wrote: »

Did it come on and stayed on until you turned off the engine, or maybe it came on only for few seconds?

For 2 short journey's yesterday it came on after a few minutes and stayed on until ignition turned off. For 3rd journey of about 15km it didn't come on at all.

creedp

creedp wrote: »

For 2 short journey's yesterday it came on after a few minutes and stayed on until ignition turned off. For 3rd journey of about 15km it didn't come on at all.

I took a chance and went on that 200km journey returning yesterday. Car was fine for both journeys. On Sunday morning the light came on again and servo seemed to go for a few moments and was fine afterwards. After 5km I turned off ignition and when turned back on light didn't reappear and no further problems then until this morning when light appeared again. Seems only to happen when car is cold.

I know I need to get it checked out but was wondering if I should go to a Ford main dealer in case a major problem developing and one which Ford might help with?? It is an 08 2L TDCI and has always been serviced with main dealer up to now but had intended to go to an independent this time around. Car is also due a service which I could do at same time.

martinr5232

creedp wrote: »

I took a chance and went on that 200km journey returning yesterday. Car was fine for both journeys. On Sunday morning the light came on again and servo seemed to go for a few moments and was fine afterwards. After 5km I turned off ignition and when turned back on light didn't reappear and no further problems then until this morning when light appeared again. Seems only to happen when car is cold.

I know I need to get it checked out but was wondering if I should go to a Ford main dealer in case a major problem developing and one which Ford might help with?? It is an 08 2L TDCI and has always been serviced with main dealer up to now but had intended to go to an independent this time around. Car is also due a service which I could do at same time.

You could have one of a number of problems from abs sensors to the abs module faulty.

I would think you would be better off going to a main dealer for diagnostics on this problem it shouldnt cost anymore than an hours labour to diagnose your problem.

Are you anywhere near Dublin ??

paddydriver

Check back for some posts I, and some other users, had on this around April/May time. We had same issue with an 08 S-Max over time. Ford dealer was sure that changing fuel filter at service would sort it but end fix was that they ran Diptane through it and that appeared to resolve. But like other posters said, it can be many things. We got the ESP warning along with "Engine Malfunction".

The sluggishness is the car going into limp mode - won't allow you over 80kmph etc or heavy acceleration - bit like self preservation.

Garage told me was mainly down to the fact that the diesel never got too many "spirited" drives and needed a good motorway run more often. Mainly used for school runs.

Haven't had issue since Thankfully.

creedp

martinr5232 wrote: »

You could have one of a number of problems from abs sensors to the abs module faulty.

I would think you would be better off going to a main dealer for diagnostics on this problem it shouldnt cost anymore than an hours labour to diagnose your problem.

Are you anywhere near Dublin ??

I live in Co. Louth but work in Dublin. I booked the car into an independent place for tomorrow morning and will get it serviced at the same time. Was considering the main dealer option but anyone I spoke to advised the independent route. Hopefully it won't be a major problem as I must get 4 new tyres shortly!!

creedp

paddydriver wrote: »

Check back for some posts I, and some other users, had on this around April/May time. We had same issue with an 08 S-Max over time. Ford dealer was sure that changing fuel filter at service would sort it but end fix was that they ran Diptane through it and that appeared to resolve. But like other posters said, it can be many things. We got the ESP warning along with "Engine Malfunction".

The sluggishness is the car going into limp mode - won't allow you over 80kmph etc or heavy acceleration - bit like self preservation.

Garage told me was mainly down to the fact that the diesel never got too many "spirited" drives and needed a good motorway run more often. Mainly used for school runs.

Haven't had issue since Thankfully.

I don't think a lack of 'spirited drives' is my problem! It had quite a spirited drive to Cork over the weekend and it gets regular enought M1 spins of a reasonably spirited nature!