Im fairly new to this forum, but have managed to solve a problem which started almost immediately after buying my car. My 2005 was purchased in the fall of 2007 with 18000Km. The BAS-ESP started up almost immediately. No big deal, until you feel the powerdrain which accompanies it. Thats when I realized something was wrong.
The dealership kept my car for 4months and replaced the steering column (I have no idea why parts took so long). It didnt work. Turns out the same job was done at the dealership which I bought it from just one month before I bought the car!(separate dealerships).
Time goes on, I get a dent and seek out a paintless dent guy who claims to have been a troubleshooter at Chrysler and tells me that IF this problem occurs what to do. I didnt even ask him ! He explained that play in the steering column causes the optical sensors at the base of the colum to reset, thus causing the BAS-ESP to cut the torque. I explained this to dealership, and they replaced the steering column again. I complained and told them that the steering column still had play and so they replaced it again. Heres the best part, the tech (who did the last replacement and was new to the dealership), noticed that the screws holding the column together were a little bent on one side. Apparently, replacing the steering column only involves the guts, not the housing. In the end, it was one slightly bent screw which held the whole thing together and there never was a problem with any of the components to begin with. No problems since and no wonder they went bankrupt !

 

Thats revealing Woody

 

ouch, congratulations!! great detective work.

 

Good to know that's one of the causes to look for but there are others like the steering angle sensor that can go bad. Glad yours is fixed.

 

here's my story and solution:

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...sp-module.html

 

The steering angle sensor is what kept being diagnosed as the main culprit, then after replacing it they would conclude that it was something else and replace it section by section. I'm not kidding when I say it was completely replaced several times with no improvement until the tech replaced the screws holding it together. It is/was the rocking rocking/play in the steering column which would cause it to malfunction. Try this -- with the car on and BAS-ESP light off, try pulling the steering wheel toward you. Or, let the car creep forward in first gear, then pull and push on the steering wheel. There should be NO play in it. If there is play, then chances are that the light will activiate. Ever notice it goes on when you hit a bump or go over speedbumps etc ??