Have a VW Golf TDi 2003 reg. Both the ESP light and ABS light on dash. Came on after cold winter spell, went off once but are both back on. Trying to find fuse for the ESP switch but not sure which one it is and manual no help. Does anyone know where I can find it to change it, just in case it's as simple as that, or does anyone know why both these lights lit up, or had similar problems that didn't cost them over £1,000 to fix?

Ross Darbyshire, February 2012

Thanks for coming back to me. I had a diagnostic done and it was found that it was a sensory that needed replacing on the back driver's side. I was told that the trouble with the combined ABS/ESP units are on the Mark V and my Golf is a Mark IV so I should be okay. It cost me near £80 for a repair and new part as opposed to £2,000 so I'm not too upset about it. Thanks for your help.

R Darbyshire., March 2012

Thanks for answering. What fuse are you referring to and where about is it in relation to the battery?
How long have VW been aware of this fault and still continued to fit this unit to their cars? I've read other reports from owners that VW have made some contribution to the repair/replacement of these units. As it stands I've got a £3,000 piece of scrap as it will cost 2 to 3 thousand to replace and fit if that's what is needed.

Ross Darbyshire, February 2012

There are a few common faults for this, one is the brake pedal switch, another one is the sensing wire from the alternator to the battery breaks down causing the computer to see a low voltage and a similar fault is corrosion on the fuse by the battery causing a false low voltage reading

nigel, February 2012