mercedes speedtronic visit workshop

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ESP BAS speedtronic malfunction

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2005 SLK 350 6-speed 24k miles Whenever I start the car, I immediately get 2 warnings: -- ESP malfunction visit workshop -- BAS malfunction visit workshop When I try to use cruise control I get a message about speedtronic malfunction. Right before I started getting these warnings, there was a weird thing that happened with my window. It started raining so I closed the roof. I opened the windows and then closed them while accelerating. Driver side window closed normally but passenger side stopped half way and I am pretty sure I heard a beep from the car when this happened. I had to press the window switch again and the window closed. I have a suspicion that the battery voltage dropped when the window failed to close. As soon as that happened, I noticed the ESP/BAS malfunction warning. ESP seems to be working as always. That is, the car seems to correct for oversteer and the yellow triangle flashes as usual. Other than the messages and cruise control not working, I detect nothing wrong. I have tried calibrating my steering angle sensor by turning wheels all the way to the left and then all the way to the right. After having read about this problem on the Net, today I removed the plastic panel below the steering wheel to see if I can take a look at the brake light switch. There is a plastic shroud that prevents me from getting access to clutch and brake pedals. I tried to remove it but could not. I did not want to break it, so I was not very forceful. Can anyone tell me how to remove this plastic shroud? I have done this on several other cars that needed brake pedal adjusted or brake light switch fixed or replaced. However, for the life of me I am not able to figure out where the brake light switch is on my R171. I can see the clutch switch. There was also another switch that sits on top of the plastic shroud. I was not able to feel its plunger from inside the plastic shroud with my finger. I am not sure what the switch is. It is part #0045452114. I was able to remove it by rotating. I tried pressing on the plunger to check if the brake lights will turn on. They did not turn on. When I pressed on the brake pedal with this switch removed the lights did turn on. I tested this switch with an ohmmeter and it does seem to respond when I press the plunger. Open with the plunger out and closed with the plunger depressed. I could not locate any other switch on the brake pedal. I am beginning to suspect that it may be inside the brake booster on the other side of the firewall. Does anyone know where the "other" brake light switch is located? The one that turns on the stop lights? Thanks!  

Honestly, the easiest thing to do would be to read the codes on the car and see what's causing the errors. Brake lights are controlled by the rear SAM, and are triggered by a CAN-C signal if my memory serves (I'm on the road, with no access to WIS...). There are *very* few physical switches in the R171 that do anything other than generate a CAN signal, so unless you have a physical failure of a switch, it's easier to ask the car what it thinks is wrong and work from there. My dodgy Bogota hotel intertubes also time out trying to connect to TIPS or EPC, so I'm having to work from memory! Luckily, I'm headed back towards London at the arse crack of dawn tomorrow, so I'll see what I can dig up Sunday afternoon when I get home!  

Read codes UK-C200, Thanks so much for your quick reply. In fact, I was thinking along the same lines and began by searching for a way to read the trouble codes. However, unlike VAGCOM, BMW GT1 and other systems I am familiar with, I have not been able to find anything remotely affordable for a shadetree mechanic. The best I have been able to find so far is some Taiwanese set for $5800 on eBay. I forgot to mention that I get solid 12.5 V with the engine off and 14.5V with it on.  

OK so the switch you had out is the clutch switch, the brake lights are triggered by a sensor inside the booster that measures diaphram travel, the signal travels as John says (Sensor>ESP CM>CAN-C>CGW>CAN-B>R SAM>LED). It sounds like either an internal control unit fault or a failure in BAS to me, as John rightly says, your best bet is to find out what the car thinks is wrong and then determine what *is* wrong based on that, dealer shouldn't charge more than one unit for the diagnosis and then you can handle the fix yourself. Spending money on the kit is a huge investment unless you plan on staying with Benz for a VERRRRY long time!  

OH while i think about it, why dont you go to the Startekinfo site that MBUSA maintain and look into the passthrough system that they are legally required to offer, that will be cheaper/less functional than proper DAS but will allow you to read all codes.  

Not for a fluid change it doesn't no.  

Just wanted to give a quick update. I picked my car up from the dealer yesterday. They said I need a new brake booster. Their price quote was $1350. Needless to say, I am going to repair this myself.  

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Speedtronic issue - drive to workshop!

• Thread starter Thread starter Cheshire Boy
• Start date Start date Sep 26, 2017
• Sep 18, 2020

pavilionn said: Yes. I have installed the HOEDUS model on a w209 model. Front 7.5Jx17 ET 34 + 12mm spacer Rear 8.5JX17 ET36 + 15mm spacer Click to expand...

Could the spacers cause any of these errors? Or it is up to the tire dimensions?  

Had various messages re: ABS, ESP, Brakes visit workshop. Diagnosis on Star pointed to faulty rear ABS speed sensor.  

Bobby Dazzler

Faulty sensor or difference in rolling radius would be my guess.  

• Nov 1, 2020

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W203 Speedtronic Fault

• Thread starter Larpy
• Start date Oct 17, 2009
• Oct 17, 2009

Always remembered RIP

Have you tried the car since,, it is odd never one of these faults up before and 2 this week  

• Thread Starter
• Thread starter

Hi Malcolm Thanks for your post, just taken the car for a spin around the block, the fault was clear on startup, but as soon as I used the limiter the fault came up and the car went into limp home mode. I stopped the car switched off and started again, fault cleared, car drove well. Used the limiter again fault came on ect..... Cheers Ricky  

I think that one of the techies may know this one, see when I get back,, it sounds like the module itself  

• Jan 23, 2013

I've had the same problem for over a year... Did anyone find the solution to this? I am having the same issue with w203 (C-Class 200 Komp 2001) speedtronic speed limiter and poor performance... I've been told that this could be a relay, but after calling the Merc garage to buy the correct relay, they say they dont know where it is ... or it doesn't have one! Tends to happen alot more when the air temp outside is cold.  

Senior Member

If you would like help, starting a new thread with far more detail than above would be a good idea. So, specifically, what is at fault? How long for? What has been tried? What fault codes have you? Any other background info that might be important?  

Alex Crow said: If you would like help, starting a new thread with far more detail than above would be a good idea. So, specifically, what is at fault? How long for? What has been tried? What fault codes have you? Any other background info that might be important? Click to expand...

• Mar 28, 2013
• The Speetronic fails to work when first switched on
• The Speedtronic fails when resetting after braking
• The Speedtronic fails after adjusting the speed or the upper limit
• The problem is worst after a cold start especially in damp weather.
• Occasionally an error message is displayed suggesting the car is taken to the workshop.

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• W211 E-Class

ESP, Speedtronic & Flat indicator inoperative

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All of a sudden ESP, Speedtronic & run flat indicators are gone on my E280 – 2007 & the following messages are displayed every day -ESP inoperative see owner’s manual. -Speedtronic inoperative -Run flat indicator inoperative. The car would keep on working but the messages are displayed when the car is running. I guess this started after the car stuck into the sand & I have to pull it out by another vehicle. I did some search & I found out the following possibilities: -Electronic accelerator -Speed sensor (wheel sensor) -Steering Wheel Angle Sensor Appreciate any guidance to validate that this problem is truly resolved.  

I have realized that this might has happened after changing the wheels ... any hints ??  

Changed wheels? Do the new wheels have the tire pressur sensors in them? If so, are they programmed to the Mercedes system? You need to have the care scanned with a Mercedes specific scanner (Fox, AutoTel, etc.) to see what is wrong. Uless this is done, all else is idle speculation.  

Sounds like a speed sensor. Did you check the wiring, the car is too new for some wear or rust issues.  

Thanks for your feedback. Where is the speed sensor located?  

Rashid Ahmad said: Where is the speed sensor located? Click to expand...

"but each wheel has a sensor, you can find it if you follow the wire" Still not clear, which wire exactly? It may be noted that the problem is not permanently there ..  

If you look at the inside of each wheel, you can find the brake hoses, possibly brake pad wear sensor wire and the speed sensor wire. Following the wire, you should find where the speed sensor is.  

Taken it to the dealer & it turned out to be the ESP sensor. It has been replaced under warranty.  

Salam Rashid Did the car stop accelerating with the error occured? and was the error a permanent one? or was it a frequent error, i mean if you turned off the ignition and then on what would happen? will the error appear again?  

وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته No problem with the acceleration. The problem was almost permanent but it will disappear sometimes & will appear suddenly while driving. Anyway, it turned out to be the ESP sensor (within the steering wheel housing) & it was replaced by the dealer under warranty.  

Did the mechanics you visited check for fault codes?  

yes sure via Star Diagnosis, it reads: C1041-002 CAN message N47-5 (ESP, SPS [PML] and BAS control unit) is faulty - current and stored among other irrelated errors changed the module with the same part number, still same error, the symptoms however are very very close to what you described  

Was the module SCN coding transferred to the new unit and were the hard codes fully cleared?  

yes Noodles, all was done, same exact fault codes, i suspect the sensors in this case, i guess the speed sensor on the inner wheels, or the steering angle sensor, will appreciate any thought on this  

Well many have had success cleaning up the ESP sensors. The speed sensors are touch and go. The steering angle sensor and and the speed sensors should leave a code on board. One that is different than a faulty control unit.  

It's gone for deeper diagnosis, hopefully this mean they'll go to the sensors level, let's see, the awkward part is that this only started happening when i changed my tires, the new tires are also staggered, size is MB approved  

Buttom line, it was fitting a new throttle body actuator, and above all reprogramming the ECU/ESP module to the new fit, everything is working again, but i wonder why it happened on the same day of changing tires  

That would make more sense. But it seems to be an intermittent problem (hasn't recurred since my first posting) and I would have expected once it was broken it would stay that way. I wonder how sensitive they are to dirt/snow/ice? i.e., is likely to be a sensor failure or could a temporary error be caused by conditions?  

I am the one who started this thread in 2009 & now I am having the same problem again!!!  

I will answer this post and the post about what to do about the car still not being repaired to a satisfactory condition. If the car car had the same problem in 2009 and it has returned there is a history and that works to your advantage. Add together that you still have not received satisfactory repair from the vibration issue and the dealer along with MB has created a mess for themselves. I know the laws about consumer protection are not the same as they are in the US. So I would consult with some sort of legal person that specializes in auto & repair fraud. See what kind of pressure they can put on the dealer and MB. When letterhead from a lawyer starts to land on managers' desks at MB and the dealer things have a way taking a whole new path. This is something I am not happy to tell anybody to do, but if you feel there is no further progress with the dealer or MB to be made then this may be your last resort. Clearly the car has greatly diminished value in its current condition. They have left you no choice other than to try and recover some of that value so you can repair or replace the car considering the money you have already paid for repairs that have not fixed the current problem. The return of the problem from 2009 may not be something the dealer or MB will be liable for, but the current engine issue is.  

Thanking you Noodles for the usual support & valued advices. The dealer has agreed to refund for the labor cost ($400). Taken the car to a specialized Mercedes workshop. The scanning also showed: Component Y3/8n2 (internal speed sensor (VGS)) is defective. The signal from component Y3/8n2 (internal speed sensor (VGS)) is not available. Reset of the fault codes has resolved the problem for the time being but the workshop recommended replacing or repairing the valve body in order to solve the above mentioned problem permanently. They have offered repairing the valve body @ $700 with only one month warranty & full refund incase of valve body fault re-occurrence during the warranty period. Any further guidelines?  

This happened to me today and I would like some help. I was driving on the highway with cruise control on and suddenly the ESP light came on and speedtronic went inoperative causing me to lose speed (obviously). I was going in a straight line and it was sunny out. I got to my destination fine. Turned the car on to go down the street and back, got no error codes. An hour later I drove home, back on the highway. Same thing happened, driving along with cruise control on when the ESP light came back and speedtronic went inoperative. I have an 07 E-550 4-Matic with 41k on it. No warranty from Mercedes but I do have a NAC Pinnacle service agreement. My question is, what kind of repair bill am I looking at if I take it to my indie? I'm not very car savvy but I am willing to take a look at the car myself if there is any troubleshooting I can do. Note: As far as tires go, I had one replaced two months due to a blow out. The other three tires only had a month of use on them.  

Hockeypuck55 said: This happened to me today and I would like some help. I was driving on the highway with cruise control on and suddenly the ESP light came on and speedtronic went inoperative causing me to lose speed (obviously). I was going in a straight line and it was sunny out. I got to my destination fine. Turned the car on to go down the street and back, got no error codes. An hour later I drove home, back on the highway. Same thing happened, driving along with cruise control on when the ESP light came back and speedtronic went inoperative. Click to expand...

No way of knowing. To many modules and sensors. If your indie does not have an MB Star Diagnosis system he will be chasing a ghost. An experienced W211 tech needs to see the car. Time to try out that shiny new warranty.  

Thanks Noodles. Looking around on google the most common diagnosis is steering angle sensor. $228 for the part and then there's labor. I'll monitor it this week and take it in next week if I have to.  

Now if your tech can read that code and get a decent price on a new one and has experience with the job then have him do it. This a labor job if is the steering angle sensor. If he can't provide an accurate diagnosis to the warranty company it will be bad. That may be all they approve and then tell you it is not their problem. If their is a reputable dealer in your area that accepts your warranty plan I would get it there. You may get a C, GLK or M class as a loaner. I have found that the W211 can stump a lot of indie techs unless it is a simple failure like a belt. The techs really need to know a lot about the bulletins, the MB SDS system and have a good parts connection.  

I bought my last Mercedes from my indy and they did all the service on that one as well (always a free rental for any service). I trust them, they are not a small time shop. On the other hand, there is a very nice dealership by me. Yes, the warranty works at all MB dealerships. I appreciate the comments and I'll see what the indy comes back with if I take it in.  

Thanks for filling in the blanks. If your indy tech feels he can handle the job and diagnose it for a fix he does sound like somebody you can trust. The one issue would be if he is able to work with your warranty company. Many aftermarket shops can. Either way you will have your car back in good shape soon.  

Warranty work can only be carried out by the Dealer as far as I understand it. But hey I am in China so maybe it is different over there.  

It is a third party warranty, not a MB warranty. For MB warranties it is the same here. Only done at dealers. There are very rare exceptions to that rule.  

Thanks Noodles now I understand better. I hope the Tech can make a 100% diagnosis and not get it wrong and also be able to prove to the warranty people he is correct, not easy I know.  

So does anyone here have a solution yet? Same thing hapened to my ML500 today. Problem cleared itself after switchoff but I would still like to know where to start looking. I had new rims and tyres fitted a week ago and my steering isnt straight after wheel alignment (go figure) so im inclined to think the "steering angle sensor" mentioned here may be the cause?  

My 2009 E320 had the 'run flat inoperative' message appearing randomly. Turned out to be a switch on the brake pedal that had gone intermittent. Message would appear after applying the brakes, but not necessarily on the first use. After shutting down the car and restarting, the message would be gone until the switch flaked again. No idea if this applies to your '07 ML, but attempting to connect the problem with brake use might be helpful.  

Thanks Beeeerock but I have the same problem as the other guys in that my ESP, Speedtronic and Flat indicator all fail at the same time. The only thing in common to all of these errors is roadspeed so im inclined to think it must be a wheel speed sensor. Just wish i knew where these live so i can check them out  

Have the wheel straight and turn your car on. Turn the wheel all the way to the left and then to the right. Then center it. Turn the car off. This has made the message go away for me twice. I haven't seen it since my posts above. Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App  

Thanks HP! Kinda makes sense. I will try it when it happens again.  

hi guys! same thing with my E200k 2008. all the three systems are failing at once from time to time. but there is one thing I realized. it have never happened when I was on my 16" winter wheels. after came back to 18" summer ones, it apperas cca twice a week. will try to check the speed sensors. anyone with a picture, where to find them? thanks, ron  

My problem was my "steering position sensor". After fitting new tyres and wheel alignment my steering was slightly off centre. (11 o clock)This makes the ESP think that you are turning slightly at high speed and it shuts down the three systems because it knows it must be an error.  

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