5 Ways To Reset ESP BAS Light On Your Car!

A turned-on ESP BAS light may confuse you if you do not know what it means or how to reset it.

So, how to reset ESP BAS light?

To reset the ESP BAS light you need to recalibrate the steering angler sensor. Park the car on a level surface, turn off the engine, and straighten the steering wheel. Turn the ignition to ON and gently turn the wheel all the way left and then right. Return the wheel to the center position, turn off the ignition, wait briefly, and then start the engine.

In the upcoming sections, we will be discussing what caused the ESP BAS light and how to fix it in detail.

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What Is ESP BAS Light?

The ESP BAS light means there could be a potential problem with your vehicle’s electronic stability program or brake assist system.

ESP stands for Electronic Stability Program, while BAS stands for Brake Assist System. These are crucial safety features in modern cars, designed to help prevent accidents and keep drivers and passengers safe.

When the ESP BAS light comes on, it could indicate a range of issues with your car’s electronic stability program or brake assist system. It could indicate problems such as faulty sensors, brake system issues, ABS problems, steering faults, or electrical system faults.

Sometimes, the ESP BAS light may be triggered by a minor issue that’s easy to fix. For example, low brake fluid or a faulty wheel speed sensor. Or, a faulty coil pack that can be tested by a test light.

What Causes The ESP BAS Light To Come On?

The ESP BAS light can come on in your car for various reasons related to the electronic stability program or brake assist system.

You can determine what’s causing the ESP BAS light by reading the trouble codes using an OBD2 scanner from the ABS control module in your car. This will help you locate the problem or start troubleshooting instead of guessing.

If you do not have an OBD-II scanner, here are some possible causes-

A defective steering angle sensor
Defective brake switch

Defective wheel speed sensor
Damage to the wiring connecting the ABS wheel speed sensors to the wheels.
Worn brake pads and rotors

The same things can also cause the maintenance light in a Toyota Corolla.

How To Reset ESP BAS Light

Now that you know what causes the ESP BAS light to turn on, all that’s left is to fix it. Here’s how to turn off ESP BAS light-

Method One: Recalibrating the Steering Angle Sensor

To reset the ESP BAS light, sometimes you only need to recalibrate the steering angle sensor. The recalibration process is very simple and you can do this yourself. Here’s how you do it-

Park the car on a level surface and turn off the engine.
Center the steering wheel so that it’s straight.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not start the engine.

Gently turn the steering wheel all the way to the left until it stops.
Then, gently turn the steering wheel all the way to the right until it stops.
Finally, return the steering wheel to the center position.

Turn off the ignition switch and wait for a few seconds.
Turn the ignition switch back to the ON position and start the engine.

Now, drive the car for a short distance to see if the ESP BAS light goes off. If it doesn’t, you may need to replace the steering angle sensor.

Method Two: Replacing the Steering Angle Sensor

Replacing the sensor is hard work and not for amateurs. But if you are still confident, here is a video tutorial that shows the whole replacement process-

Method Three: Replacing the Wheel Speed Sensor

If the ESP BAS light is turned on because of a defective wheel speed sensor, you will have to replace it. Here’s how-

Prepare the work area on a level surface, ensuring safety and engaging the parking brake.

Loosen lug nuts using a ½ inch drive breaker bar and lug nut socket set.
Jack up the vehicle and secure it with jack stands, positioning them correctly.
Remove the old wheel speed sensor, including necessary brake parts if obstructing access.

Install the new wheel speed sensor and reassemble the brake components.
Reinstall the wheels and snug the lug nuts with a ratchet and socket.
Lower the vehicle off the jack stands using a jack in the appropriate location.

Torque the lug nuts to the specified value using a torque wrench.
Test drive the vehicle to ensure proper functionality of the ABS and traction control systems.

Also, here is a complete video guide of the process-

Method Four: Replacing the Brake Switch Sensor

If the ESP BAS light is turned on by a faulty brake switch, you will have to install a new one. Here’s how-

Unscrew the panel located under the steering.
Locate the brake pedal switch.

Press the upper portion of the switch to disconnect it from the electric wires.
Remove the old switch and place a new one in the same position.
Rotate the new switch clockwise until you hear a ‘Click’ sound, indicating it’s properly installed.

Reconnect the upper portion of the switch.

If that is not enough, here’s a video-

Method Five: Repair Brakes

Although rare, a faulty brake component might trigger the ESP BAS light to come on. If that’s the case, it’s best to call a mechanic as repairing the brakes may be hard without specialized equipment.

If you need to know how to reset ESP BAS on a Mercedes, or reset the maintenance light on Toyota RAV4, the process is more or less the same. Still, refer to an expert for confirmation if you are confused.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Is It Safe to Drive With The ESP BAS Light On?

No, it is not safe to drive with the ESP BAS light on. The light indicates that there’s a problem with the vehicle’s electronic stability program or brake assist system. This can lead to unsafe driving conditions, especially on slippery roads.

What sensors are used for ESP?

The sensors used for ESP are wheel speed sensors, steering wheel angle sensor, yaw rate, and lateral acceleration sensors. Additionally, some vehicles may also use a brake pressure sensor to aid in ESP operation.

When should I turn off ESP?

You should only turn off ESP when driving in soft terrain such as sand. Additionally, some drivers may also choose to turn off ESP during high-performance driving.

Conclusion

Knowing how to reset ESP BAS light will be beneficial for you as it indicates a problem with your vehicle. Resetting the light involves solving the issue with the car. That’s why it will keep you safe from accidents and prevent serious damage to your car.

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