The ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system is an important safety feature installed in most modern vehicles. However, if you have a Renault, you may have seen the Check ESC Renault warning light appearing on the dashboard.
The most worrying part is that the warning sometimes stays on. What does this mean?
In this article, I will be answering this and more questions about the Check ESC on Renault vehicles. I will also give you the common causes and ways to fix the issue. Let’s get into to it.
What is Renault’s ESC?
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a crucial feature that most car manufacturers, including Renault, install in their vehicles.
The system is designed to help you maintain control and stability of the car when in challenging situations, such as on slippery roads.
The ESC system uses various sensors, computer algorithms, and actuators to monitor multiple car parameters. These parameters include lateral acceleration, wheel speed, the yaw rate, and the steering angle.
Based on the data the system gets, it then actively modulates the engine and braking output to enhance the stability of the vehicle, especially when driving in potentially dangerous situations.
Check ESC on a Renault Meaning
In short, when the Check ESC Renault light comes on, the system is simply telling you there might be a problem with one or more of its components.
The issues may range from minor to severe; The cause may be a result of a variety of issues, including a faulty wheel speed sensor, a faulty yaw rate sensor, and electrical problems, among others.
Note, however, that the Check ESC Renault light may come on to indicate the system is active.
When this happens, you will feel your car applying brakes to particular wheels, and the warning light usually goes away when the system has done its job.
If the warning light stays on for a long period, then there could be a malfunction in the system.
What Causes Check ESC on a Renault?
As I have already mentioned above, there is a raft of potential issues that cause the Check ESC Renault warning light. Below, I look at some of the most common ones:
1. You Have Faulty Wheel Speed Sensors
This is among the major causes of the ESC warning light. These sensors monitor and measure the rotational speed of each wheel.
This is key information for the ESC system since when there are any slight variations in the wheel speed, there could be a potential loss in traction and stability.
So if one of the wheel speed sensors on your car is defective, there is going to be inaccurate or completely no information sent to the ESC system, triggering the warning light.
2. Faulty or Malfunctioning Steering Angle Sensor
You probably already know how important correcting steering is important when driving. You want your car to go in the path you are telling it to go. Otherwise, you may end up bumping into things.
The steering angle sensor plays a key role in how your car responds to your maneuvers. It senses the movement and position of your steering wheel and allows the ESC to easily determine where you want the car to go.
A faulty steering wheel angle sensor means your car won’t respond to your steering as it should and so the Check ESC Renault warning light comes on to alert you to this serious issue.
3. You Turned the ESC System Off
If you opt to turn the ESC system off for whatever reason, the car may give you a warning, especially when you get to a slippery road.
Some drivers want to have more control when driving, so they choose to turn the ESC off, leading to the warning light.
If this has happened to you, your car simply tells you that you need to get the system back on because you need it. If you must turn the system off, be sure to do it judiciously and when it is appropriate.
4. You Have a Faulty Yaw Rate Sensor
This sensor is what detects and measures the rotation of your car on the vertical axis. It also detects any variations or deviations from the intended path.
The information received by the yaw rate sensor is directly sent to the ESC system so it can trigger the appropriate adjustments and avoid loss of stability or control of the car.
It, therefore, means that if your yaw rate sensor is malfunctioning, there is going to be inaccurate or no data sent to the ESC system, leading to the warning light on your Renault dashboard.
5. Electrical Issuers or Faulty Wiring
Even the slightest mishap in the ESC system’s electrical wiring will most likely trigger the Check ESC Renault warning light.
Loose, corroded, or damaged wires can disrupt the normal communication between the components of the ESC. If various components of the ESC are not communicating as they should, the entire system will malfunction. So you get the warning message telling you to check the system.
How to Fix Check ESC on a Renault
There are various ways you can fix the Check ESC Renault light. Here are a few of them that have worked for many Renault drivers:
Have a full diagnostic scan and repair service:
If you are not sure how to do this or if you do not have the required diagnostic scan tools, it is recommended that you take your car to your local Renault Service Centre.
They will scan your car’s computer and pinpoint where the issue might be.
Make sure the ESC system is turned on:
Before you start panicking, be sure you have the ESC turned on. Most cars have an ESC button that you just press to activate or deactivate the system.
Have all the ESC-related sensors checked:
Have your technician check all the sensors related to the ESC system and replace any damaged, worn-out, or malfunctioning ones.
Additional Sources
https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/electronic-stability-control/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_stability_control
https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/what-is-a-front-wheel-speed-sensor