Esp/engine Malfunction Then Limp Mode

[huwb]

My 3rd and hopefully final new topic today unless something else gives up on the way home! 

 

As title and it's been doing it intermittently for a few weeks - no association with a particular gear, driving style, temperature or speed.  The yellow ESP symbol appears on the dash and Engine Malfunction shows on the display.  If I click through messages it says ESP malfunction.  No codes but that's a work in progress.  Restarting sorts things out and it runs fine otherwise.

 

I have looked at the ABS sensor wiring at the front wheels but can't get sight of the ABS rings themselves - the wiring looks intact but pathetically wrapped and taped.  My wife had an aftermarket amp/sub installed a while ago so I tracked the new wiring from the boot to the headunit looking for a disturbed ESP module but to be honest I don't know what I'm looking for or where it is! 

 

The only change in use of late are that it has been doing a lot of short journeys with no DPF friendly motorway trips for several weeks.  I don't really see how that could influence ESP but I came across a thread somewhere linking out-of-spec ECM computations to the ESP as ESP relies on the ECM to control power.  Probably pissing in the wind but I'll give a sound thrashing on the weekend.

 

Any suggestions?  Thanks, Huw.

[gregers]

have you had a looksie at the alarm module,iirc found under the passenger wheel arch?

my smax does this from time to time,especially when cold/wet.so im wondering if moisture is getting in??

[huwb]

have you had a looksie at the alarm module,iirc found under the passenger wheel arch?

my smax does this from time to time,especially when cold/wet.so im wondering if moisture is getting in??

 

Not yet.  Is there a workshop manual available for these vehicles?  I will take a look under there anyway as it doesn't hurt to get an idea of what sits where.  Thanks, Huw.

[huwb]

I've driven the car ~100 miles at 75mph in 4th gear (just over 3000 rpm) for the last 2 days in an effort to clean anything out of the system that wasn't helping.  So far no recurrence and although I strongly suspect placebo effect it feels more eager generally.  This might turn into a thread where I talk to myself but I will probably post again to confirm whether it really has made a difference.

[gregers]

fingers crossed then,

try giving it a Italian tune up 3rd gear and hold it for 20 mins if possible at high revs.

just incase it was a dpf issue.

 

and as of yet there isnt a manuel for yours or the smax.and dont hold your breath

thats a laff as it took haynes years before they bought out 1 for the mk2.

Edited June 29, 2013 by gregers

[huwb]

Well it seems to have worked as before the thrashing it would limp and give malfunction messages every day and it hasn't happened since.  

[gregers]

:46:

[drjotty]

mine is doing exactly the same? did just a thrashing fix it?

I must admit I drive mine gently to maximise fuel but might give this a go to see if it fixes it.

but on motorways I normally do 80 might have to use 5th not 6th

[gregers]

if yours has a dpf then unless it gets upto temp for a regen then all the gentle and short runs will in the end knacker it,dunno about the galaxy but ive read that a lot of cars have to lights on them to either say it doing a regen or it needs to do 1,OR its gone past the point of no return and then requires an expensive fix at the dealers.

 

as the saying drive it like you stole it sounds funny,it costs you nothing so i would defo give it a go,when doing it look in the rear mirror to see how much crud gets burned off,you will be surprised.

good luck hope it works.

[drjotty]

no crud when i thrash it. 200 miles at 80 to york and it happened too.

tank of red ex and still doing it now an again.

auto box but can put in gear and red line up hill to 4k yet in auto at lower revs it might happen.

 

p1169 fuel rail pressure high but in range, mines a 2011 so can only find sensor at dealers? complete with fuel rail??? not paying £200 for a sensor.

 

any other ideas?

[drjotty]

just changed the fuel rail pressure sensor on mine with a 2nd hand one. ford want to sell the whole fuel rail for £200. yet it simply screws on. job took just 3 minutes with a deep 27mm socket. you can not get a spanner on it as there is no clearance. no fuel spurted out and it ran fine straight away.

will let you know on my next run if it appears to be fixed.