Traction control

Q I have a 2017 Vauxhall Meriva B 1398cc petrol with 43,000 miles. The electronic stability/traction control light illuminates erratically. The light normally comes on when stationary or when in traffic. This can happen with the foot brake or parking brake either on or off.

If I switch the ignition off and on again the light goes out and may stay off for three or four days. The malfunction light also comes on at random for two or three days, and then goes off for maybe over a week.

When the light is on, the engine runs normally with no loss of power and has a steady tick-over. Are these problems connected, and what action can I take? Peter O’hare A The two lights may or may not be connected, and it is difficult to say without first having the fault codes read from the system. This would certainly be the first step to diagnosing the problem. Once the fault codes were retrieved then the source of the problem or problems can be accessed, and the action needed for the remedy determined.

The Abs/stability system can illuminate the warning light for a number of problems, and these can also cause the engine malfunction light to illuminate. But without first reading off the codes, any connection cannot be determined.

One common issue which can occur causing the code P2138 to be stored is due to a poor contact between the wiring harness and the accelerator pedal position sensor. This particular problem may also cause the Abs/stability system lights to illuminate and when this fault does occur a new accelerator pedal position sensor is recommended, but I would not advise replacing this without first checking the codes stored, to confirm if this is or is not the problem.