Every time I try to drift around a corner (snowy roads here) the ESP is kicking in.

In a few words? I hate it.

Tried to turn it off (ESP light stays on) - no effect. The ESP is still kicking in.

Tried to hold the ESP button for more than 5 seconds to turn it OFF.
Does not work for my 2010!

Any advise besides pulling the fuse?

It can't be defeated completely. The button just reduces it's effectiveness. A reviewer found this out when he tried to play in his test unit. THis is one of my favorite reviews BTW...

http://www.vehix.com/articles/new-cars/2009-jeep-grand-cherokee-srt8-4x4---review/

"Angry Bull" LOL!

wink

If you want a long lasting tranfer case - dont disable your ESP

Thx for the answers. Appreciate the warning. Many failures of TC's due to disabled ESP?

The TC is electronically controlled - ok.
The TC should distribute power between rear and front axle.

When I turn off ESP, why is the TC "hurt"?

It still should sense slipping rear wheels and transfer power to the front axle?

Turning ESP off should mean NO braking by wire/computer only.

The clutches still spin and get burnt up. The only way to run in 2wd mode would be to completely remove the motor in the transfer case.

The clutches still spin and get burnt up. The only way to run in 2wd mode would be to completely remove the motor in the transfer case.

He's not referring to running in 2wd. He's talking about not letting the computer butt into the cars natural characteristics during turning. I see no reason for a t-case to go bad with esp off. Esp is only using the 4 corners of the and system to control what wheel puts down the power. That is why we have open diffs, so the truck can squeeze the brakes on the opposing wheel, sending the power to the other side. Multiply that by the front/rear distribution of the t-case and the truck can send power (to a certain %) all around the truck. I see no reason for the SRT engineers to give us the tc button if it burns up the t-case.

I see no reason for the SRT engineers to give us the tc button if it burns up the t-case

and this is the reason why he cant disable the ESP with the button in 2010 models - many toasted TC s in the past - take a search in the forum an you can read many threads about this

and this is the reason why he cant disable the ESP with the button in 2010 models - many toasted TC s in the past - take a search in the forum an you can read many threads about this

Are you saying that you cannot "reduce" the effect of ESP by pushing the T/C button in a 2010? Because none of us can fully disable it, no matter what your model year.

If they made it so you can't disable it at all, or made an alteration in the ESP system to preserve t-cases for MY 2010, then I would assume they would apply the update to all SRT8's that came into the dealer for service no matter what the MY. So far, none have recieved such a flash update, such as they did when they rolled out the auto-upshift update for MY '06.

My understanding is the hold the button for x seconds was never a feature on the Jeeps, just the LX cars. But the 2010 absolutely reduces the "Tranny Nanny" effect. Just read the manual. Also, as has been posted before, the SRT engineers said turning off (ie pushing the button) won't hurt the TC. But I guess the legend will live on regardless...

wink

My understanding is the hold the button for x seconds was never a feature on the Jeeps, just the LX cars. But the 2010 absolutely reduces the "Tranny Nanny" effect. Just read the manual. Also, as has been posted before, the SRT engineers said turning off (ie pushing the button) won't hurt the TC. But I guess the legend will live on regardless...

wink

So what are you saying, the 2010's have more or less freedom than the prior years?

I feel part of not being able to fully disable the ESP in the Jeep SRT8 is safety. I say that because you cannot disable the ESP FULLY in the '08+ wranglers, UNLESS you have the truck IN park, and IN 4wd (hi or low), and HOLD the ESP button for 5-10 seconds. So they obviously don't want you to turn it fully off because of safety reasons since all those criteria have to be met before the truck lets you have total freedom. The JK t-case has no pumps or anything because it is just a select-trac manual t-case. When you disable ESP while driving it will only do it partially unless you followed the aformentioned steps above. Mind you, the JK wranglers are GUTLESS....no balls to that v6 at all....

Now apply this same ideology to a heavier SUV with 420 hp, I think they believed people would be in an accident left and right in these trucks. They obviously thought so when it came to the lessor powered JK.

So what are you saying, the 2010's have more or less freedom than the prior years?


AFAIK all years of the GCSRT8 are the same in this regard.


I feel part of not being able to fully disable the ESP in the Jeep SRT8 is safety. I say that because you cannot disable the ESP FULLY in the '08+ wranglers, UNLESS you have the truck IN park, and IN 4wd (hi or low), and HOLD the ESP button for 5-10 seconds. So they obviously don't want you to turn it fully off because of safety reasons since all those criteria have to be met before the truck lets you have total freedom. The JK t-case has no pumps or anything because it is just a select-trac manual t-case. When you disable ESP while driving it will only do it partially unless you followed the aformentioned steps above. Mind you, the JK wranglers are GUTLESS....no balls to that v6 at all....

Now apply this same ideology to a heavier SUV with 420 hp, I think they believed people would be in an accident left and right in these trucks. They obviously thought so when it came to the lessor powered JK.

Agreed on the safety aspect. But our TC is less complex than the Wranglers, and other off road models. Only one speed, and you can turn on/off the ESP while in motion.

From my 2010 Owner's Manual...


On
This is the normal operating mode for ESP. Whenever the vehicle is started, the ESP system will be in this “On” mode. This mode should be used for most driving situations. ESP should only be turned to “Partial Off” mode for specific reasons as noted below.

Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily pressing the ESP OFF” switch. When in “Partial Off mode, the TCS portion of ESP, except for the “limited slip” feature described in the TCS section, has been disabled and the “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” will be illuminated. All other stability features of ESP function normally. This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand, or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than ESP would normally allow is required to gain traction. To turn ESP on again, momentarily press the ESP OFF” switch. This will restore the normal “ESP On” mode of operation.

NOTE: To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “ESP Partial Off” mode by pressing the “ESP OFF” switch. Once the situation requiring ESP to be switched to the “ESP Partial Off” mode is overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily pressing the “ESP OFF” switch. This may be done while the vehicle is in motion.


Like I've said before, I always turned it off when I got to the track, and back on when I leave. Seems no worse for wear. No odd noises or binding when turning or anything. Now my tranny may have suffered from the abuse. ;)

wink

I was away for some drifting on ice and snow and the Jeep did well...anyway, would be nice to know how to disable the ESP - totally. I will try the PARK, BRAKE, HANDBRAKE, ... and pushing the button for a few seconds thing soon ... IMWTK!

If you want a long lasting tranfer case - dont disable your ESP

Thx for the answers. Appreciate the warning. Many failures of TC's due to disabled ESP?

The TC is electronically controlled - ok.
The TC should distribute power between rear and front axle.

When I turn off ESP, why is the TC "hurt"?

It still should sense slipping rear wheels and transfer power to the front axle?

Turning ESP off should mean NO braking by wire/computer only.

I have run 7 road courses and my ESP light turns itself on(like pushing the button) everytime at the track. So for me ESP is off for 2 1/2 hrs at WOT most of the time during a track day. I have never had an issue with the transfer case. Turning off the esp is not the reason TC are going bad. If you are driving to the grocery store with it off I am pretty sure that is not what is killing your TC. There really has to be another reason.

glad i saw this post. i had read about the myth and wondered. but truthfully, it just doesnt make sense.

its beyond annoying when trying to drive spiritedly and the ecu cuts power when you need it most.

i find that if i turn off the ESP and shift in manual, it doesn't kick in as much... could just be me thinking so?