Can you help diagnose an ESP fault in my 2002 Volkswagen Golf?

We were very interested in your reply to JS on the problem of ESP failures. My 2002 Golf Estate TDI PD 130 recently shone a warning light indicating a fault in the ESP. Having checked at the nearby Volkswagen agent that it was safe to drive home (they reported a faulty steering column sensor) I later took it to my usual engineer, who fitted the expensive new part, only to find that it didn't solve the problem so he put the old one back. He then spent many hours searching unsuccessfully for a fault in the complex wiring, and concluded that the fault must be in the CPU. I am stuck now with no ESP, not sure that it matters and paying for incomplete diagnosis, without treatment or cure. I await a reply from Volkswagen customer services. What would your diagnosis and treatment be?

Asked on 2 November 2010 by DR, via email

Answered by Honest John
Volkswagen has supplied a new email for complaints about ESP failure: volkswagencustomercare@volkswagen.co.uk. Volkswagen itself is now electing to replace the hydraulic section containing the G201 sensor rather than replace the entire ABS/ESP module, though probably not free of charge for a car of this age. Alternative, similar, fixes are provided by: www.ecutesting.com and www.sinspeed.co.uk
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