here is a question. Does your jeep go straight when your steering wheel is 100% straight? If not you'll need to re-align it. That could also throw it off. I would tell you but I can't remember & I'm a little drunk atm.

 

The owner's manual runs many, many pages discussing ESP and how it works. I'd encourage each and every one of you who thinks that the ABS is not affected by ESP, that pushing the ESP switch for ten seconds totally turns off ESP, or that ESP is a simple on, partial off, full off control to carefully read your copy. If you didn't get one, I encourage you to download one from here (it implies that you must purchase it, but press on and you'll see that downloads are free):

Download a Free Jeep Owner's Manual

From the manual: "Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic brake control system that includes ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System), TCS (Traction Control System), BAS (Brake Assist System), ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation), and ESP (Electronic Stability Program). All five systems work together to enhance vehicle stability and control in various driving conditions, and are commonly referred to as ESP."

Me again: What you can conclude from that is that anyone who says that you are totally turning off ESP, is also saying that you're turning off ABS. However, fortunately, that's not exactly true. ABS works with the rest of the systems to provide the necessary braking action for BLD (Brake Locking Differential), ERM, TCS and ESP. Some of that functionality will be turned off or on in each of the four possible modes for ESP: Full On (Normal), Partial Off (Press ESP switch momentarily), "Full Off" (Press and hold ESP switch until you hear the chime--five seconds or so), and "Completely Off" (Only available on newer models. or early models that had the firmware updated, and only after activation with a Nintendo code sequence involving the steering wheel). Even that last mode, what I call "Completely Off" does not turn off the most basic ABS braking function. However, it does turn off the ABS braking functions that support all of the remaining ESP functions--BLD, ERM, TCS, etc. There are also times when ESP goes automatically into various modes of off or on, just based on the manner in which you're driving your vehicle (exceeding certain speeds, using 4WD-Low and turning off the ignition, for example). But even that is not consistent for all modes of ESP.

Bottom line: RTM. And, if you have an early model without the Nintendo code in the manual, download a later year model owner's manual and read the part about using the steering wheel to turn off ESP. It applies to yours if you had the new firmware installed (For me, that was when the brake was recall performed. You should have been given a copy of the addendum for your manual at that time).

 

I have had no problems with dry braking/ABS, my steering wheel is dead centered (stock), and this is not a reproduceable problem. If I take the same turn again and again, it won't happen. I make the same curve every day out of my parking lot.

And since basic ABS is still retained, I guess its bye bye ESP! We don't have that much snow here anyways, which sucks. I understand ESP is safer for newbie drivers.

I have had 3 jeeps before and all of them were jacked up and ran without electronic assist... no ABS, ESP, TCS, etc... Only assisting thing I had left on the Jeep was power steering and brakes. That's it. The way a Jeep should be.

If you want stability control or 100 different "safety aids", buy a damn car.

 

I have had ESP disabled for over a year now. No problems at all. Just go by the procedures in the owneres manual, where you tun the steering wheel 180 degrees one way and 180 the other way. Just follow the steps in the manual it works great. Also it does not disable ABS. Nice for making sugar donuts.

 

Same ESP problems as above. Right after I put 35's on . Really sucks because now I got used to pushing the esp off when I'm coming on and off ramps to the interstate. It is dangerous when you have cars behind and then your jeep all of a sudden get a mind of it's own and starts breaking in the turn. I thought I was going to get rear ended for sure last week.

 

My owner's manual doesn't have the procedure. I downloaded it off the '09 manual. Hope it works.

And Frankie, that's exactly how I feel sometimes. Yes.. it's cold and there are ice patches... but I'm running stock 32" SRA and it should not be doing this. My WRX had a crapload more stability stuff and I could floor it/brake it/turn it without issues that cause my head to jerk forward or backwards..

 

Actually, ESP is safer for all drivers. The vast majority of us are not having problems with our ESP--despite lifts, larger tires, wheeling, ice, etc. The only time I had a problem was after wheeling and I bent my drag link. It took me all of two seconds to explain to my son, who was driving, what the corrective action was as we entered the Interstate and the Jeep applied brakes on one side.

It's not a matter of what a Jeep is "supposed" to be: That decision is made by the engineers at Jeep, not you and me. You may decide you don't like their decisions, and that's fine--we all have tastes, desires and opinions. But, to say that ESP is "safer for newbie drivers", and that anyone who wants "100 different 'safety aids'" should buy a car is reckless on your part. If you don't like ESP, fine, say so. Please explain why, even. But please don't tell the rest of us that we don't know what a Jeep really is because we studied what the ESP does and we appreciate it for what it is.

 

Exactly, it's just way too sensitive for a jeep. In my old Z, I would always turn it off but when driving skyline drive it had to be on. And worked well at that. Throttle management and quick on the wheel is my traction control.

How is this sensor operating? Off body roll, yaw, What?? Also where is it located does anyone know?

 

Thanks for the heads up on the 09 manual my 08 did not say much about the ESP. Found out that It reads off speed and steering wheel position.

Disabling ESP for Modified Vehicles (4WD Models
Only)
Vehicles modified with larger tires and/or suspension
lifts may experience early ESP activations as compared to
a non-modified production vehicle depending on lift
size, tire size, suspension changes and/or driving habits.
If early ESP activations are experienced while driving a
modified vehicle, the additional ability to permanently
turn off ESP is available. A steering wheel/ESP button
maneuver must be performed to permanently disable
ESP and defeat the functionality of the ESP switch.
Repeating the procedure will return the system to normal
ESP operation and restore ESP switch functionality allowing
ESP “Partial” or “Off” modes

HERE IS THE PROCEDURE TO DISABLE ESP FOR GOOD


1. Shift the transfer case into the 4H range position.
2. Turn the steering wheel until it is centered and the
wheels are pointed straight ahead.
3. Cycle the ignition key OFF to ON.
4. Wait approximately five seconds for the system bulb
check.
5. Turn and hold the steering wheel one-half turn to the
right (clockwise).
6. Press and hold the ESP OFF button for seven seconds.
7. Turn the steering wheel back to center, and turn and
hold an additional one-half turn to the left (counterclockwise).
8. Press and hold the ESP OFF button for seven seconds.
9. Turn the steering wheel back to center.
10. Press and hold the ESP OFF button for seven seconds.
11. Cycle the ignition key to OFF.
After performing the ESP disable procedure correctly,
“ESP OFF” will be displayed in the odometer for approximately
12 seconds each time the ignition is moved to ON.
Repeating the ESP disable procedure will re-enable normal
ESP operation.
ESP/BAS Warning Light
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP is
combined with the BAS indicator. The “ESP/
BAS Warning Light” in the instrument cluster
comes on when the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON” position. It should go out with the engine
running.