In general, the orange ESP warning light turns on when your car is oversteering or understeering. It turns off when the car returns to a normal situation.
However, sometimes the warning light remains on throughout the journey. But don’t worry, there are several ways to turn off the dashboard warning light.
Are you looking for a car scanner ?
Can't find your light on the list?
Send us an email with information about your car, so we can assist you.
Don't find your car model?
Send us an email with information about your car, so we can assist you.
- My model is not in the list
I don't have any lights on
esp warning light: why does it turn on
There are several reasons why you might want to turn off the ESP warning light on your car’s dashboard.
is it dangerous to drive with the ESP warning light on?
Although the ESP warning light is orange and therefore belongs to the alert indicator family (like the ABS or engine warning lights), if it turns on while driving, don’t panic.
Most of the time, an illuminated warning light is due to a blown bulb.
However, it is possible that the anti-skid system is faulty, in which case it will not function the next time your car oversteers. You might lose control and have an accident!
So if the warning light turns on, there’s no excuse—you must check that the system is working properly.
can an illuminated ESP warning light prevent a vehicle from passing the roadworthiness test?
The ESP warning light indicates a failure in the anti-skid system, which modulates braking power in turns. Your safety is therefore at stake.
If the ESP warning light is on, your vehicle will not pass the roadworthiness test, and you will need to undergo a follow-up inspection.
repairing the system and turning off the ESP warning light
Generally, most vehicles are equipped with a button that allows you to disable ESP.
However, in the case of a malfunction, this button will not be very useful.
turning off the warning light yourself
Since most of the time the warning light stays on due to a blown bulb, it’s nothing complicated—just change the bulb, and the dashboard warning light will turn off.
seeking professional help
For a more complex malfunction, it is advisable to consult a professional mechanic.
The anti-skid system is quite specific; it consists of several sensors, all managed by an ECU.
Hiring a professional ensures effective repairs and safe driving. You won’t risk losing control of your car and can drive with peace of mind.
Generally, the mechanic will run a diagnostic on your vehicle using a car diagnostics scanner to detect the issue and identify the faulty part that needs replacing to fix the problem and clear the warning light.
Below, you will find a video explaining the functions of the anti-skid system.
ESP warning light by vehicle make
Clear the ESC warning light on a Fiat
On Fiat vehicles, the system may be referred to as ESC rather than ESP, but its role remains the same: to help stabilise the car if it loses traction.
If the ESC warning light stays on in a Fiat 500, Punto, Panda, Tipo or Ducato, it may be due to a fault with an ABS sensor, the brake pedal switch, the battery, a power steering issue or a fault stored in the control unit. The message “ESC unavailable” or “ESP unavailable Fiat 500” may then appear on the dashboard.
To clear the ESC warning light permanently, you must first read the fault codes using a compatible Car Diagnostics Scanner such as the Klavkarr device, then fix the detected cause before clearing the fault.
Conclusion
There are several reasons why the ESP warning light may turn on. Whether it’s a simple blown bulb or a more serious system malfunction, it is always possible to turn off this warning light.
Learn more
That’s it for this article on different ways to turn off the ESP warning light. If you have any advice or questions, feel free to share them in the comments.
You can also share this article with your friends on social media!