[mec3]

I need help with my ESC light staying on. I have a 2011 Optima
Initially it started in the winter time when my wheels would spin in the snow, it'd come on and stay on (instead of blinking) until the engine is turned off.
Lately, it's been coming on and staying on the moment i turn on my engine.
I have read people saying this could be related to brake light switch but i have no problems with the brake lights.
However, I did have to replace my headlight bulb. The car came with D1S HID headlights so no mod. I can't be exactly sure but i think this light started staying on soon after I replaced the headlight bulb. I have an old odb2 scanner and the scanner found nothing. Has anyone had this happen and was able to figure out what the issue was?
TIA

 

[KingFatty]

Is the ESC light affected by using the ESC button (pressing button, or holding down button)?

You might have a fault in the working of the ESC system:

"When the ignition switch is turned ON, the indicator light illuminates, then goes off if ESC system is operating normally. The ESC indicator light blinks whenever ESC is operating.
ESC OFF indicator light comes on when either the ESC is turned off with the button, or ESC fails to operate when turned on.
Driving with varying tire or wheel sizes may cause the ESC system to malfunction. When replacing tires, make sure they are the same size as your original tires."

Kia Optima: ESC (Electronic stability control) - Driving your vehicle - Kia Optima TF 2011-2023 Owners Manual

 

[mec3]

if i push the ESC OFF button another light that looks just like the one in the picture comes on but it has the word "OFF" below the symbol.
so I don't think that's the problem.. also i haven't done anything to my wheels..tires where changed years ago but same size as original tires..nothing fancy

 

[tonester]

Perhaps maybe a bad wheel/ABS sensor?

 

[Hankwood]

I need help with my ESC light staying on. I have a 2011 Optima
Initially it started in the winter time when my wheels would spin in the snow, it'd come on and stay on (instead of blinking) until the engine is turned off.
Lately, it's been coming on and staying on the moment i turn on my engine.
I have read people saying this could be related to brake light switch but i have no problems with the brake lights.
However, I did have to replace my headlight bulb. The car came with D1S HID headlights so no mod. I can't be exactly sure but i think this light started staying on soon after I replaced the headlight bulb. I have an old odb2 scanner and the scanner found nothing. Has anyone had this happen and was able to figure out what the issue was?
TIA
View attachment 252236

My car has been doing the same but only on wet roads, it only started this year on my 2014 Optima?

 

[KingFatty]

My car has been doing the same but only on wet roads, it only started this year on my 2014 Optima?

If only on wet roads, can we assume you are spinning the tires or otherwise losing traction? If so, that is the intended operation of the traction control, to help you maintain traction on wet roads.

 

[Hankwood]

If only on wet roads, can we assume you are spinning the tires or otherwise losing traction? If so, that is the intended operation of the traction control, to help you maintain traction on wet roads.

Where I live in Tn. anytime it rains the roads are slick. Starting from a full stop the front spins every time, not at all when stopping. I just put new skins on in the last 6 months.

 

[mec3]

So for anyone looking for a solution.. Few days after I posted this issue, my brake lights including the 3rd one stopped working.
I took the car into the shop, at first they replaced the brake light switch. Then the brake lights started working intermittently.
After that they checked the HAC relay (hill assist control) and that seemed to be the issue. Waited 2 days for the part to arrive and had it changed today. Brake lights are so far so good and no more traction control light staying on. Going to have to keep my eye on it for the next few days to conclude the issue is resolved.

 

[mec3]

So for anyone looking for a solution.. Few days after I posted this issue, my brake lights including the 3rd one stopped working.
I took the car into the shop, at first they replaced the brake light switch. Then the brake lights started working intermittently.
After that they checked the HAC relay (hill assist control) and that seemed to be the issue. Waited 2 days for the part to arrive and had it changed today. Brake lights are so far so good and no more traction control light staying on. Going to have to keep my eye on it for the next few days to conclude the issue is resolved.

Another update:
After HAC relay was replaced, the brake lights were working fine for a day and then the issue started again, only this time the car wouldn't start.
according to the manual, it's a safety feature and there was a workaround to get car started so I took it straight to the shop again and left it there for the weekend for the guy to figure it out.
I will be able to pick up the car tomorrow so will see what he ended up doing and if the "fix" this time is an actual fix.