Stupid Electronic Stability Control (ESP)

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Wed Oct 13, 2010 11:36 am

I know I have seen threads on here about this before, but I searched and searched and did not find the answer. Those of you with early KJs are lucky that you don't have this stupid feature. My 07 has it, and I think 06 also does, maybe 05. Anyway, I vaguely remember TJ remarking on how it works, and how/if you can turn it off. I have a little button on the steering column that is supposed to disengage it, but it really does not work. It only minimizes its engagement.

I have found over the past few months that when I make long sweeping corners, like exiting a freeway to a "clover-leaf" type exit, where you make a 270 degree turn as you exit the freeway, that it felt like maybe my front tires were rubbing the sway bar. Odd, but it could happen? Maybe? After further investigation, I realized that there was no contact. Then I turned down the radio and could easily tell that it was the ESP ringing loud and clear - braking for me. No, I am not trying to drive like a race car, taking corners like I was in an indy car. But I should at least be able to take exits at the posted speed of 40 MPH. However, I have to regularly slow down below 25 MPH to keep ESP from engaging.

I have even had this happen making lower speed 90 degree turns. Typically, they are longer, sweeping turns that cause it. I even thought it may be from tire pressure differences. Maybe one side had less air, thus small rolling radius, thus ESP thought one tire was slipping since the lower pressure tire was rotating faster. (I actually had this happen once when a tire place under-inflated one tire. ESP Came on driving straight on dry pavement). But all 4 tires are, and have been within 1/2 PSI of each other. So that is not it.

So, can it really be turned off? Or am I just stuck? I know I could just pull the fuse, but that will kill ABS too, and I'd like to keep my ABS ability, just in case...

keywords: ESP ESC electronic stability control program traction

VoodooMann · **Posted:** Wed Oct 13, 2010 5:59 pm

Mine never has that much of a problem and I have ESP.

I take exits pretty fast and my ESP doesnt kick on at all unless I have broken the rear end loose.
On occasion, If I pull out onto a street from a stop while accellerating REALLY hard it will cut power to the engine, but only when the switch is ON

the only time mine comes on after I have hit the switch is to correct loss of traction from one tire (One Tire Fire).

If I do a burnout, both of my rear tires will spin once ESP realizes one isn't spinning by way of BLD (Brake Lock Differential).

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

there was a topic as few months ago....i THINK it said that if you put a switch to turn it "off" you do loose ABS

i hate it too, turning into traffic and it slows me was down, almost got rear ended one day.....i hate that ESP

if you find out something let me know

infernicus · **Posted:** Wed Oct 13, 2010 6:14 pm

I think I may be experiencing what you are LTT. I have an '07 and I have larger tires as well.
Ever since I put my new tires on (General Grabbers in a 31x10.5x15) my ESP kicks in, sometimes it does it in a straight line on the highway, already going 50+ MPH.
But it usually does it when entering and exiting highways as you mentioned.

I believe TJKJ mentioned that some Firestones are able to reprogram the computer for different tire sizes or something, in regards to the ESP not speedo. ( I could be 100% wrong.)
I remember something being mentioned about the Driver-side Front tire/sensor having an issue.
I tend to drive with the ESP "off" . Or if I know when it will try to kick in, I will switch it off quickly to limit the effect it has.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Wed Oct 13, 2010 6:55 pm

it is odd. I never had this problem with stock tires and wheels. I never had the problem with Cragar Black D's 15x7, 4" BS, with 31x10.50's or 32x11.50's. Then when I swapped to Moabs (16x8) with 265/75-16, and 285/75-16. It has done it with both sizes. Hmmmmm.

VoodooMann · **Posted:** Wed Oct 13, 2010 7:33 pm

It can also be an alignment issue.

I had a bad alignment once and it kicked on at strange times (going in a straight line, any turns at all) a lot.

the sad part is, my alignment wasn't really that bad. just bad enough for the sensor to get confused.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Wed Oct 13, 2010 11:40 pm

Hmmmm. I don't think that is it. My alignment was just re-tweaked a couple months ago. But I will be getting a new one on Friday after I put on my new UCAs. I let you know if that fixes it.

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Thu Oct 14, 2010 12:44 am

You need to have your esp reset after each alignment, some tire/alignment shops are capable, Jeep dealerships definitely do. Also your speedo needs to be calibrated for the extra tire height. That should help the KJ but the KKs are S.O.L. I just shut my button off every time I start the Jeep. :roll:

LibertyFever · **Posted:** Thu Oct 14, 2010 7:14 am

My Libby doesn't have ESP or ABS but my 2010 Patriot does. I'm not fond of the idea of an automated system taking control of my vehicle. The whole explanation of how ESP functions gives me a migraine.

I have noticed on occasion when I attempt a quick turn to pullout into traffic that I don't seem to have the power, the engine sounds like it's cutting out. It's either the ESP or the puny 4 cylinder engine in my Pat.

I thought that in the vehicles with the ESP (like the JK's and KJ's) if you simply press the ESP button you only turn it off until you hit a certain speed then it turns back on. To turn it off completely you need to press it & hold it for several seconds.

The only time I've noticed my ESP working is when I hit water on the highways at speed. It's either the ESP that keeps my tires from spinning of the Pat's AWD.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:47 am

Slow down.

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Thu Oct 14, 2010 12:17 pm

i just pull my ABS pump fuse.. and put black electrial tape on the warning lights. i cant stand that ESP especially in the winter :twisted:

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Thu Oct 14, 2010 12:24 pm

2006 KJ wrote:

i just pull my ABS pump fuse.. and put black electrial tape on the warning lights. i cant stand that ESP especially in the winter :twisted:

the ESP probably saved me from ditching it last winter when i was out goofing around :shock:

infernicus · **Posted:** Thu Oct 14, 2010 12:39 pm

Personally, I love the ESP. I think it's great. Saved me about two years ago on the highway when someone decided my lane was better than theirs. Saved me from a rollover. It's just annoying when it kicks in when it shouldn't. Sometimes I do believe it is being over cautious. But I've learned to live with it.
I was hoping someone could tell us what specifically to ask for at Firestone.

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:52 pm

DirtyKK wrote:

2006 KJ wrote:

i just pull my ABS pump fuse.. and put black electrial tape on the warning lights. i cant stand that ESP especially in the winter :twisted:

the ESP probably saved me from ditching it last winter when i was out goofing around :shock:

NOT having ESP saved me last winter.. sometimes having positive control over the jeep is better then the computer.. for instance.. i was going around a corner ( about 65 degree) and it was VERY slippery. i got half way through the corner and my jeep started sliding sideways parallel to the road on course for the ditch. I gave it the beans and it pulled out of the slide. If ESP was on it wouldn't have let me give it the beans and i would've been in the ditch... the DEEP ditch. I dont mind not having ABS.. in fact a prefer it. I like being able to test the braking action and KNOW when my tires are going to lose traction.. not letting the computer decide for me. Eliminating ESP and ABS lets me 'feel' the road and whats under me. more like i'm part of the jeep instead of just a passenger to the computer. But to each their own

i can see how ESP and ABS would be great for some.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 14, 2010 10:56 pm

2006 KJ wrote:

i can see how ESP and ABS would be great for some.

Yeah for those that have not actually learned to drive,about 90% of the drivers out there nodays.

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Thu Oct 14, 2010 11:05 pm

2006 KJ wrote:

DirtyKK wrote:

2006 KJ wrote:

i just pull my ABS pump fuse.. and put black electrial tape on the warning lights. i cant stand that ESP especially in the winter :twisted:

the ESP probably saved me from ditching it last winter when i was out goofing around :shock:

NOT having ESP saved me last winter.. sometimes having positive control over the jeep is better then the computer.. for instance.. i was going around a corner ( about 65 degree) and it was VERY slippery. i got half way through the corner and my jeep started sliding sideways parallel to the road on course for the ditch. I gave it the beans and it pulled out of the slide. If ESP was on it wouldn't have let me give it the beans and i would've been in the ditch... the DEEP ditch. I dont mind not having ABS.. in fact a prefer it. I like being able to test the braking action and KNOW when my tires are going to lose traction.. not letting the computer decide for me. Eliminating ESP and ABS lets me 'feel' the road and whats under me. more like i'm part of the jeep instead of just a passenger to the computer. But to each their own

i can see how ESP and ABS would be great for some.

I'm sure I could have corrected myself as a matter of fact I was doing so and it kinda jerked back straight but I would say it definitely helps. I feel you on the ABS though, my last car I had for almost 6 years and didn't have it and I could really push the limits with them, similar to riding my sport bike and grabbing a handful of brake without locking up a tire.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 14, 2010 11:13 pm

had a 340 duster that i drove about 80% of the time watching the road out of one of the side windows, woulda hated ESP on that, other than the drift aspect of that car and the top end there wasn't many bennies

infernicus · **Posted:** Thu Oct 14, 2010 11:24 pm

I've had my share of vehicles without ABS or ESP or TSC or whatever there is out there.
And I usually had a great time with them.
And during inclement weather, it is nice to actually "control" your vehicle.
I always downshift going into a corner, making sure my engine is controlling my speed throughout the curve.
But in the emergency situation, when you don't know whats going to happen, it is definitely a help.
Say what you want to say, but I do believe the computer can react faster than I can.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 14, 2010 11:36 pm

absolutely, however sometimes you want / need no reaction at all, that would be my gripe on the ESP

however with the ABS i could honestly care less if it's got it or not

HoosierJeeper · **Joined:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:23 am **Posts:** 1218

I feel the same about ESP and all that stuff....few months ago I hit some oil slick while making a turn, and I did the same thing 2006KJ did, ESP would've slowed me down and rammed me into the car next to me.... :banghead:

Stupid Electronic Stability Control (ESP)

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