Out of the blue I have a dashboard full of symbols and messages Service Traction Service ESC ABS light, brake light, and traction symbols on. Please tell me there is a way to reset these without taking it to a dealer. The vehicle drives fine.

 

Obviously all the warning lights mean you have a problem with the vehicle - right? It can be related to something simple like a dying battery that needs charging/replacing, or something more serious related to the ABS or ESC system etc.. All of them need to be checked out in case the problem gets worse and leaves you stranded, or injured.

Most auto parts stores will use an OBD code reader to download any error codes that may exist. However the ABS/ESC codes are not typically read by their code readers - for that you need to have a repair shop use their more advanced readers. You do not have to take it to a dealer.

If you insist on clearing the error lights, you can try disconnecting the negative post on the battery for a few minutes, then reconnecting it - that will often reset error codes/lights. But............ it may also erase the error codes such that they can't be downloaded.

 

Thanks for the response. Ill try both.

 

The lights are not your problem. The lights are alerting you to possibly deadly problem!

Why would you be so concerned with turning the lights off? Death wish?

Any competent mechanic should know what to do, you do not need to go to a dealership for any repair.

 

Lets back up for a second. See in your profile you have a 2009. 5 speed or auto? What were you doing when all the lights lite up?

 

Hmmmm 2009, possible 6 year old battery! Possibly not enough voltage left in it for the ECM, TCM or the BCM to read sensors, so the dash lights up like its dialing for dollars!!
Could be a loose ground also.
X2 what Whopper suggested,
Have the codes read first,
have the battery load tested at the battery!
have the charging system tested.
AutoZone does this for free, at least the one I stopped at Park and Alt 19, near Indian Rocks, Florida. Turned out my battery died the next morning !

 

Yup, keep the codes and ask the mechanic to check your battery first and the charging system. Your problem sounds like what happened to me. I thought I won on the one armed bandit in Vegas... Battery not holding good charge. Original '08 battery for me.