Stabilization Control (ESC) and Angle Sensor help?

Tiny
KEN2028
  • MEMBER
  • 2018 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40,000 MILES
Hi,

I own a 2018 Beetle Coast and am experiencing some fault code issues.

Battery replaced, Car starts and dies instantly.

Here’s what happened: The car initially had a low battery issue (the battery was bad), but I didn’t have a replacement at the time. Instead, I charged it temporarily until I could get a new one. During this period, my windows would automatically lower every time the battery was reconnected.

Unfortunately, I think I made a mistake while trying to resolve the issue. To keep the windows up (since it had been raining a lot), I turned on the ACC (accessory mode) without starting the engine to raise the windows and disconnected the battery while ACC was on.

Eventually, I replaced the old battery with a new one, but now I’m getting a persistent fault code for Stabilization Control (ESC) on the dashboard.

Also, even with the new battery installed, the window with the door closed does not automatically go up like before even when you lock it.

My scanner is detecting the following faults:

01826: Steering Angle Sensor, Voltage Supply Terminal 30
03803: Steering Angle Sensor, Power-Assisted Steering

Additionally, I’m receiving a constant LOW OIL alert on the dashboard. I’ve replaced the bottom pan oil sensor, but the alert persists.

I’ve attempted to reset these faults using my Xtool car scanner, but I haven’t had any success.
Monday, January 13th, 2025 AT 12:56 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,582 POSTS
Please start a new thread for the oil level issue, we only handle one problem per thread. With these codes it looks like the Steering Angle Sensor is no good which is part of the steering motor, here is the location of the sensor so you can swap it out, make sure to clear the codes once the repair is complete. The steering wheel must be straight while driving down the road FYI. Clear the codes once the job is completed. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
KEN2028
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
  • 2018 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40,000 MILES
2018 Beetle Coast and I am experiencing stabilization Control (ESC) Dash Alerts

Battery replaced, Car starts and shuts off instantly.

Here’s what happened: The car initially had a low battery issue (the battery was bad), but I didn’t have a replacement at the time. Instead, I charged it temporarily until I could get a new one. During this period, my windows would automatically lower every time the battery was reconnected.

Unfortunately, I think I made my mistake while trying to resolve the issue. To keep the windows up (since it had been raining a lot), I turned on the ACC (accessory mode) without starting the
engine to raise the windows as close as possible and disconnected the battery while ACC was on.

Eventually, I replaced the old battery with a new one, but now I’m getting a persistent Dash alert for Stabilization Control (ESC) on the dashboard.

I have found no clear solution for this error.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 AT 4:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,582 POSTS
Do you still have these codes?

01826: Steering Angle Sensor, Voltage Supply Terminal 30
03803: Steering Angle Sensor, Power-Assisted Steering

If so, then I would stick to the repair above.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 AT 4:41 PM
Tiny
KEN2028
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I don't think it's any of those. So, you know they dropped off the car (towed) to me with my keys lost. My car window was open, and wheels locked, I didn't have enough to make another set of keys with the expensive locksmith. So, I drilled out the Immobilizer on the column and removed it put it to the side. That immobilizer is installed with Breakaway bolts, I used a tungsten grinder to cut out the two bolts. Then I Maneuvered my car (dead) manually to its new temporary place. I found the keys after removing the seats to clean out the mess inside. So angry at them!

Maybe by removing the immobilizer caused the issue since it physically connected to the column and the angle sensor behind the steering wheel.?

I did find perfect bolts to replace them and installed them back or is it too picky in its installed position?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 AT 9:43 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,582 POSTS
The part you are calling the sensor is the clock spring or spiral wire which does not have the angle sensor inside of it. Here are the wiring diagrams for the steering so we can check the power inputs.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

I marked the fuses and the ground that I would check. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 AT 10:35 AM
Tiny
KEN2028
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
  • 2018 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40,000 MILES
After the Battery change, I am getting on the dash.
-Stabilization Control (ESC)

My car wont stay on, shuts off 2 seconds

Probably happened after I disconnected the bad battery while ignition ACC ON, to close my Driver window from the heavy rain.

I apologize for asking too many questions one 1 topic request. I know now its 1 question per thread.

BTW thank you!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 AT 6:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,582 POSTS
Can I ask why you keep entering a new question instead of responding to the thread?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
KEN2028
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I apologize. I thought I was supposed to create a new thread per question. On the other questions answered I will follow up and give results by Sunday since it's the only day I can be free to work on my car during daylight. The start button was resolved by cleaning it. The angle sensor and ground wire for level oil sensor will be checked. Also check if I blew any fuses also. But that Dash stabilization ESC alert has me worried because of my possible mistake disconnecting the battery while it was on to keep my windows up.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 AT 7:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,582 POSTS
No worries, we want to keep the problem subjects separate is all. Can you confirm these are the codes still?

01826: Steering Angle Sensor, Voltage Supply Terminal 30
03803: Steering Angle Sensor, Power-Assisted Steering

Something might have taken out the steering angle sensor, it could have had a voltage spike when connecting and disconnecting the battery. I would try a hard system reboot sometimes it can help by resetting the systems.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-performing-a-hard-system-reboot-for-your-vehicles-electronics-systems

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 16th, 2025 AT 9:38 AM
Tiny
KEN2028
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Okay, thank you. I will let you know on Sunday and take more pictures.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 16th, 2025 AT 12:35 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,582 POSTS
Sounds good have a great weekend.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 17th, 2025 AT 11:44 AM
Tiny
KEN2028
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Hi,

I checked the Ground, Pwr and signal wire from and to the Oil sensor with your schematics all was perfect. So I did the Hard Reset to clear out the power to the beetle. It was a success in clearing both -Stabilization Control (ESC) and Low oil alert after replacing the bottom oil sensor.
My time was very limited so I at least accomplished that. Steering Angle Sensor nothing yet. BTW Thank you!

I bought both VAG COM HEX Real V2 & VCDI Software and VNCI 6154A Scanner 23.05 with Software arrived on Saturday, so now I have more access than before. I found a fault P014800, Could that be causing my car to shutoff immediately? I am going to change out the fuel filter when I have time again.

Maybe you can point out anything else I missed or what to do.

Many thanks!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 20th, 2025 AT 9:34 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,582 POSTS
Glad you got the first issue resolved but it might come back after you drive it for a bit, please start a new question for the P014800 code.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 21st, 2025 AT 10:18 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.