[WestCoastDan]

It's been a long time since I've posted, but it has finally come to an end.
For the second time in the past week, the ESP has "auto-dis-engaged" while I was driving.
Yes, that is correct.
While driving under normal conditions, the ESP light turned on and the system chimed as if I had rotated the key to fully dis-engage it.

For those that are possibly not aware, you can dis-engage it (partially!) by pressing the button on the dash - which shows the squiggly lines under the car on the instrument cluster, OR...
you can rotate the key clockwise while driving slowly (as if you were trying to start the car again), to FULLY dis-engage the ESP - which illuminates the same lamp as above and also turns on the ESP light.

Interestingly enough, I have also experienced issues with failed door locks and on occasion, when starting the car, it doesn't fire until I release the key.
Another possible coincidence is that the passenger airbag light comes on when the seat is in a certain position, but it always returns to normal after adjusting the seat.

I am suspecting a potential battery issue, but it reads above 12VDC and all other electronics function normally.

Any ideas?

 

[Ddaddy]

Hey Dan, good to see you around again! :beerchug:

I think you have a bad ignition cylinder. The cylinder is likely very worn and making intermittent contact with multiple connections and causing the issues you describe. Everything you describe can be related to a failure of that part.

I've even recently had mine doing odd things that I could correct by rotating the key a little in the cylinder.

 

[TechnoJunky]

not to say that it can't be the cylinder, but have you made any other modifications lately? For instance, maybe you removed your bezel and now there's a loose connection to something there. I know it might seem silly but sometimes I've forgotten minor changes I made that showed up later.

 

[WestCoastDan]

Sadly,
The ONLY changes made have been the following:
I had LED tail lights & the right turn signal failed. There were load balancing resistors on each tail light assembly.
I replaced the failed bulb with a standard incandescent bulb.
I did this in both right & left assemblies to maintain continuity. The inner most bulbs were still LED.
The engine light came on soon after this change throwing a code associated with brake pedal switch, lights, etc (I forget exact code).
Subsequently, I replaced all rear lights with standard bulbs and removed the resistor (back to stock).
I then disconnected the negative lead on the battery for about 30-45 minutes.
Engine code cleared and has not returned.
ESP disengaged light has continued to illuminate randomly since.

Btw, driver side door lock had begun to malfunction AGAIN, causing additional headache and stress.