ESP/BAS and Traction lights along with rear noise

Tiny
MONIQUE1580
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 JEEP COMMANDER
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 191,000 MILES
Hello, if the ESP/BAS light comes on and then the traction control light and you hear a noise in the back of the car, what can be done to fix that? Would being rear ended cause that?
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 AT 7:29 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros,
Being rear ended can cause a lot of issues depending on how hard the hit was, what your vehicle was doing at the time and if it was a straight in impact or off to one side. As for repairing your problem it would depend on what the actual damage is. The noise could be anything from a simple backing plate rubbing, a body part rubbing or internal axle damage. The lights are both likely related to the damage as they would be triggered if there was a fault with a speed sensor or the wiring to it.
The repair is dependent on what is actually damaged. Could you take some pictures or a video of the damage and post it on this site? That might help, but I think you are going to need someone local to you to actually inspect the vehicle to see what the damage is. Then report it to the insurance company as the person (or their insurance) who hit it should be paying for the repairs.
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 AT 8:59 AM
Tiny
MONIQUE1580
  • MEMBER
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Hi! Thank you so much for getting back to me, and so quickly. When I was hit, we were all stopped in traffic. My back bumper was messed up and replaced, but the person that hit me, his front end was really damaged. I am assuming that it just knocked something loose on mine and it wasn't caught originally. It sounds like the back right tire is loose but it isn't. I had that checked. It also slips a little bit like if I'm riding on wet ground, but the ground isn't wet. You can notice the slip if you go over a bumpy patch in the road. I just don't anything to come apart while I'm driving. I keep getting told that the traction light and ESP light just need to be reset, but if it feels like it is slipping, then the light is on for a reason. Sigh, I just don't know what else to do.
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
Resetting a light doesn't fix the reason it comes on. Those to in particular are what is known as a continuous monitor. The computer watches them all the time and only turns the light on if the problem is happening now. If the problem has gone away the light would also go off. So you do have a constant problem. The issue then becomes, what is the problem. For that you are going to need a shop to look it over and use a scan tool to see what codes are stored and turning those lights on. By slipping do you mean you step on the brake and it feels like the wheel slides or is the ABS system activation and pulsing the pedal? If that is the case it could be a bad wheel speed sensor or wiring damage to it. That would show up as a code that a scan tool would read.
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 AT 2:20 PM
Tiny
MONIQUE1580
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  • 9 POSTS
Hi! Oh, I meant that when you drive over an elevated part in the road it feels like it is slipping over it - the tires. Kind of like when you have slippery shoes on and you slide a bit. Feels like grease or a slick road but my tires are new.
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 AT 2:43 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
That may be the traction control acting when it shouldn't, likely part of the issue that is causing the lights to be on. The first step would be to do a scan to get the codes that are turning on the lights. Then go from there. Do not let them "reset" the codes without you writing them down.
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 AT 2:57 PM
Tiny
MONIQUE1580
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thank you so much! Unfortunately they already reset them. :(
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
MONIQUE1580
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Okay, I called them back and they test drove it again and the lights and the codes came back on. This is what the codes were:
1. Power Train Control Module
2. Transmission Control Module
3. Mechanical Instrument Cluster
4. TPMS Wireless Control

And then of course the lights - Traction Control and ESP-BAS
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 AT 3:19 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
Not surprised the lights came back on. All of those could be caused by a failed speed sensor however it shouldn't make noise. Noise would likely be rubbing or something like a wheel bearing failing, which could also set a speed sensor code in the transmission module and cause the speedometer code as well.
Did they give any indication as to what they think the problem is?
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 AT 8:25 PM
Tiny
MONIQUE1580
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
No, they just said they couldn't hear the noise and they are having my insurance come out to check things out.
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 AT 1:07 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
If you can get there for that I would. Then you may be able to go for a test drive with a mechanic and point out the noise you are hearing to them.
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 AT 8:21 AM
Tiny
MONIQUE1580
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Yes for sure. That is what they said too. That I might have to go over there and point out the noise. Thank you so much for all of your help!
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Thursday, January 24th, 2019 AT 6:06 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,452 POSTS
Having the customer point out noises is always a good thing. As mechanics we are somewhat conditioned to ignore noises unless they are "odd" to us. So say there was a slight grinding noise when applying the brakes, we sort through the probable causes in our minds. However that might not be the sound that you heard and described. With the customer in there to say "That is the noise" it can jump start that same process.
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Thursday, January 24th, 2019 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
MONIQUE1580
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Yes totally agree! Unfortunately of course, the insurance went by there to check it out while I was at worked and deemed that it had nothing to do with the accident. I didn't think they would admit it did anyway. I just have to take it to a mechanic to check it out on my own. Thanks again for all of your help!
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Thursday, January 24th, 2019 AT 1:23 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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That sounds like a typical insurance adjuster. Anything they can get away with not paying, they will. Sorry about that. You are welcome. Please let us know what you find is the cause.
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Thursday, January 24th, 2019 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
MONIQUE1580
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Yep, I totally agree. I sure will! I hope it is just the bearings and then they check everything else that might've made the lights go off. Who knows. I will let you know if we ever figure it out. Thank you!
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Thursday, January 24th, 2019 AT 2:20 PM

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