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ABS/ESC Warning Lamp ON

45K views 11 replies 4 participants last post by  PLP 
#1 ·
I changed to my winter tires in late November, but one needed a patch. I put on one summer tire just to get me to the garage. During the drive the ABS/ESC lights came on and stayed on. I've read that a different tire can be sensed by the cars system and can result in warning lights coming on. Restarting the Rondo did not remedy the problem. I also replaced the battery (well overdue) and still the warning lamps come on. Since then I've been to the dealer to clear the codes only to be told that the HECU was the culprit, a very expensive culprit. I elected to leave it be and drive with standard braking only.

This evening (Dec 27) I left a parking lot and noticed that the warning lights were now off. The tried the systems out and braking was ABS again and the ESC engaged as necessary on an icy surface.

I'm looking for a knowledgeable opinion as to whether this might just be a fluke or should I have the dealer recheck with another scan?
 
#3 · (Edited)
Assuming you had inconsistent tire heights, it seems to me that may make the system throw a code. Given when it happened, that seems likely.

Given that the system is now working correctly, it seems to me that the alleged "culprit" is likely not the culprit.

Agreed that knowing what the code was would be the way to move from speculation into analysis.

Further word of warning - don't run inconsistent tire sizes on a *driven* axle. That's a way to cause serious damage. (I see this all the time - people running a donut on the front of a front wheel drive.) Correct procedure is (tedious and necessary): if you've got a problem with a front tire, move one from the rear to the front, put the inconsistent one on the back (assuming front wheel drive)

Though I can't say for sure this would have prevented the code in your case (nor do I know which position you had your summer in) I can say with certainty that this is good advice.
 
#4 ·
An Update:

The warning lights came back on (both) but only after driving a ways, ie. varying distances;sometimes half-a-block, sometimes further.

It was a warmer night (Dec 27)when the warning lamps turned off (about -4C / 25F ) and it didn't turn much colder until the 31st at which point the warning lamps stayed on continuously, until today. This evening I'm back to lamps off at ignition to lighting up after a distance, and it is a warmer night tonight.

I will get hold of the codes next week and post them here.

When I first got my Rondo, I had much the the same symptoms. The ESC would come on at first and eventually both the ESC and ABS would come and stay on. The dealer had to remedy a silicone issue regarding the front wheel sensors.

SC069 - FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR SILICONE VARNISH
APPLICATION TREATMENT & REPLACEMENT
This Service Campaign provides information relating to the replacement or silicone application treatment of existing wheel speed sensors. Rondo vehicles produced between 7/1/2006 – 12/31/2006 may exhibit the illumination of the ABS Warning Lamps for front wheel speed sensor diagnostic trouble codes. The cause of the ABS Warning Lamps illumination may be due to a permeable front wheel speed sensor housing, which can
cause moisture to enter the sensor's internal windings. Kia is treating or replacing existing front wheel speed sensors to correct this condition
This is looking like a possibility.
 
#6 ·
The Codes are as follows:

C1211
C1208
C2402
C1235
C1237
C1513

I continue to experience intermittent ABS ESC Warning Lamps combination. Sometimes right from start-up, other times after driving a short distance, and occasionally no warning lamps at all while driving.

:wacko:
 
#9 ·
Looks like my problem with the ABS/ESC warning lights could have been wheels all along. When I changed my tires back to summer treads, my ABS/ECS Warnings Lamps turned off after an hour or so of driving. Wonders of wonders!

Just to test things out a bit, I found a parking lot on a rainy day near my house. With my front wheels on a big patch of painted road markings I throttled up and my them spin. The function lights went on and off as the system adjusted for the spin and then promptly went off when I gained traction, as they should. I suppose I'm speaking of the ESC at this point. I'll find a place to test out the ABS later. The pedal pressure feels right for the ABS function on dry pavement.

One thing I did discover; my winter treads were mounted on two different rim styles (2 and 2) by the dealer. There is a .25" difference between the sets. This may have been enough to account for the constant warning lights, as they were also mounted mismatched front and back by the dealer as well.

What gave me concern originally is that Dealer concluded the HECU was toast —quoting virtually every code of failure of that system.

I have a couple of questions:
1. Does my "mismatched rim" contention make sense?
2. Why would every failure code came up for that system?

Thanks for listening!
 
#10 ·
1. Does my "mismatched rim" contention make sense?
2. Why would every failure code came up for that system?
1. Yes.
Although being 2WD it does not care for transfer case it matter for ABS and other sensors depending on speed of each wheel. You got speed, not exactly speed as velocity - rotational speed - sensors on each wheel.
If one of them gets different reading - system freaks out.
I did it one time.
I lifted up front to test front wheels for flat spots/shake - let them spin at 30 mph and here you go - ESC error.

So in short - all wheels must be same. It does not matter what rim it is, what tire it is as long as the overall size is same. Say 225/50x17 is same as 205/70x15 and 205/60x16. All are almost same and would be OK.
However, adding difference in thread depth you might reach point where it gets bad..

2. I do not quite get it...
 
#11 ·
I first reported (this thread) the ABS /ESC in Dec 2013.

The issue went away when I changed to my Spring/Summer tires.

It's near the end of September and still no issue with warning lights, and the system works as it should. In a month or so I'll be strapping my winter tires on and matching the rims front and back (see post #9 ). I will post a report.
 
#12 ·
so again - do you have exactly same size on front/rear axle?
ABS/ESC will be fooled if wheels do not spin at the same angular speed. Hence the error.
 
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