After recent wheel alignment, I have a permanent ESP failure error on the dash

[NickTheRaver]

Hello all,

I'm new here having recently invested in a 2018 T6 which is gradually going through the changes to a camper. I love it, BUT.. there are waaay too many on-board computers that complain at every opportunity. I wish it just had electric & oil pressure warnings like my Beetle!

The issue I have is this: the van was purchased ready fitted with generic load-rated 20" wheels which I have driven on for nearly a year, I have just bought a nice new set of Wolfrace Talon's and got a local tyre fitter near where I work to put the new rims on with tyres and to (most pertinent here) align the tracking while they were at it. All was good until I had driven couple miles when the ESP warning light came on, and has stayed on ever since with the odd beep and a bigger ESP symbol flashing on the main LCD from time to time.

I did notice after the alignment that the steering wheel is most definitely 'off to the left' when I am moving in a straight line - but it does not pull to the left, it drives straight as an arrow and does not wander even if I let go of the steering wheel.

I have read elsewhere that steering wheel alignment can throw the ABS/ESP if it is not properly positioned 'straight' along with the wheels, I wonder if this might be the root cause?

The garage have been very good, they are currently taking a look / probing with an OBD reader to see if they can do anything, but politely reminded me they are tyre fitters by trade and don't have much to work with when it comes to ECU/sensor/calibration errors, especially on newer vehicles.

Any input appreciated, the first MOT is due in about a month, so I desperately need this problem resolved.

Thanks!

Nick

 

[Deaky]

That could be the problem. Surely the first thing when tracking the wheels is to clamp the steering wheel straight then go from there. You could visually check all the abs sensors are connected, could be a plug pulled out while the fitters were adjusting the tracking.

 

[NickTheRaver]

Thanks Deaky, just need a little reassurance! I mentioned to the garage that I was sure the steering wheel was not properly straightened (and therefore freaking out the angle sensors) which they took on board as a valid argument. I had not thought about the ABS sensors, again this makes sense - when I go to pick up the van later today I will ask them to double check before I leave.

Nick

 

[VanDamMan]

Hi .. @NickTheRaver …(as above #2 first ) I’ve suffered for 18mths not have good steering alignment but took the hit and went to a Porsche specialist that also dealt with transports…So so much happier …I’ve had a quick look and near Cardiff is a VAG group specialist..
NG motors Cardiff

never used them ..but get good reviews on Pistonheads…

sometimes a few £££ spent can be a big investment…sometimes finding a garage that can help and do a pre Mot check could save you time and money

 

[NickTheRaver]

Awesome - thank you VanDamMan - I have resigned myself for the possible need to see a VAG specialist, but when you google VW dealers you tend to only find the horror stories, so it's nice to get a recommendation.

Either that, or gaffer tape over the warning lights

Totally agree regarding spending a few quid more to get it done properly by the right people. I got complacent with the polo and passat I've previously owned (and the Beetle I still have) I wasn't afraid to rip up carpets, get the drill/angle grinder/soldering iron out etc. but with the van, I have to be much more thoughtful in my approach!
I ran the rat-look polo for more than 9 years on dirty chip fat/brush cleaner/solvents/diesel & unleaded mix (from people who had mis-fueled) or literally any liquid that was classed as flammable that I could get my hands on for free - I only ever did the bare minimum servicing yet it never once gave me any issues or problems at MOT and always passed emissions. The police, however, were always curious as to how it even had an MOT and I would often get stopped for a friendly chat. In the end it was a tank full of sunflower oil and a very frosty morning attempt to start it that killed the pump and thus the car!

Thanks again for the recommendation - it's good to have a safety net if you might need one.

 

[Pauly]

Get the tracking done again with the wheel straight !
I have had exact same issues as you and my steering wheel went too far out and the van had a fit, it shut down abs and start stop etc
I went back to garage and got it tracked again with the wheel straight and as soon as I drove about half a mile with the wheel in the correct place everything cleared itself and was fine

 

[NickTheRaver]

Thank you Pauly! I went back to the garage yesterday afternoon and they were utterly clueless to the point that they argued that Wolfrace had supplied me with the wrong rims (despite me saying that Wolfrace contacted me to make sure they sent the right offset for an unmodified 2018 T6!) and that it was the rims fouling a sensor and causing issues.

I was shown the OBD error readout they got - the most important fault being [B1168F3 - Steering Angle Sensor Offset Too High] - so I asked if this was most likely caused by the steering wheel not being properly centered when the tracking was done, and once again I was fed a load of rubbish about offsets, sensors and faults with modern VW's and that it could not possibly be their fault - even though I clearly now have a wonky steering wheel! All a bit disappointing as I've been getting my hands dirty with VWs since the early 90's so I know when I'm being fobbed off. Rather than argue the point which I know will get me nowhere, I will be taking VanDamMan's advice and going to see NG Motors in Cardiff, they look to be an honest bunch.

Thank you so much for all your input guys, it's really helped me out in my moment of need!

 

[Pauly]

I hate pricks like that, dont know what they are talking about and if you suggest you know something they dont or mention any kind of online data/forum they roll their eyes like kings of the world gazing down on the stupid

Be sure to pop back when you have it sorted and let know you got a 'proper' fitter to do a professional job at an honest company and everything is sorted .......

 

[JOG]

Thank you Pauly! I went back to the garage yesterday afternoon and they were utterly clueless to the point that they argued that Wolfrace had supplied me with the wrong rims (despite me saying that Wolfrace contacted me to make sure they sent the right offset for an unmodified 2018 T6!) and that it was the rims fouling a sensor and causing issues.

I was shown the OBD error readout they got - the most important fault being [B1168F3 - Steering Angle Sensor Offset Too High] - so I asked if this was most likely caused by the steering wheel not being properly centered when the tracking was done, and once again I was fed a load of rubbish about offsets, sensors and faults with modern VW's and that it could not possibly be their fault - even though I clearly now have a wonky steering wheel! All a bit disappointing as I've been getting my hands dirty with VWs since the early 90's so I know when I'm being fobbed off. Rather than argue the point which I know will get me nowhere, I will be taking VanDamMan's advice and going to see NG Motors in Cardiff, they look to be an honest bunch.

Thank you so much for all your input guys, it's really helped me out in my moment of need!

Did you by any chance settle your bill with a credit card….? Just give the fitters a call to let them know that you’re putting the payment into dispute with the credit card company; having the work independently reviewed and remediated if necessary and will share the finding with the credit card company to assist them with their dispute investigations!

 

[NickTheRaver]

No, sadly was done with a debit card, but in any case I've got that feeling of 'can't be bothered with the hassle arguing with idiots', the wheels and tyres are fine (they actually did me a great deal for the rubber, valves and tracking) and the van no longer has that 'pull to the left' issue that it's had since I got it last December, so apart from the terrible job of aligning the steering wheel, everything else I cannot fault. Just laziness on their part. I expect this will happen more often as people bring them newer vehicles over time.

Still, I absolutely love the new rims, and I can now look forward to building a good relationship with a reputable garage in the future.

Now.. the next thing I want is airbags , and I know where I will be coming for advice and recommendations

 

[Deaky]

It makes sense if you think about it. If the steering wheel is straight, all wheels should be rotating at the same speed. If you're wheel is turned to the left then the ABS system would be expecting the wheels on the RHS of the van to be turning faster than the wheels on the LHS. But in your case they'd all be turning at the same speed. Hence the ABS controller throwing it's dummy out.

As @Pauly the tyre fitters are definitely in the wrong.

 

[NickTheRaver]

If you're familiar with The Inbetweeners I can honestly say they've modelled themselves on the garage where Will does his work experience - I can't help but now think they're the type to fleece unwitting people if they see the chance, though maybe not as bad as a certain popular high-street tyre fitting chain...

I'll keep the fitters' receipt in the van for now just in case Gwent police do a random stop and get funny about lights on the dash (they're very active around where I live, probably because their headquarters are just down the road) as that would definitely have me seeking recourse from the garage!

 

[Brindal]

You’ll need to get it tracked correctly with the steering wheel straight, then re calibrate the steering angle sensor. You may get away without the calibration if you’re lucky.