W204 cruise control and speedtronic inoperative

Pedro Everett

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Hi all.
I just bought a 09 W204 C220 CDI with 94.000 miles. I am getting an error message when try to activate the cruise control saying "cruise control and speedtronic inoperative".
If i press the speedtronic handle, the yellow light comes on but nothing happens. Its just when i push the cruise control either way that i get that error and the cruise control does not work.
I dont have any other errors displaying, and i also checked the the ESP was working and turned on. Dont have any brake lights faulty (as I read somewhere that could be the problem).

I read that the tyres could be the problem. I have check the tyres and the front ones are 225-45-r17 and the back ones are 245-45-r17 (i think they should be 245-40-r17). Also the back tyres, they are both different and from different brands.

I would really use your help on figuing out what the problem could be... Thanks!!!
 

umblecumbuz

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Fundamental advice - get the codes read by Star, the MB diagnostic system.

Often when cruise and speedtronic go down it's esp related. A faulty wheel sensor is one thing that can cause this, but that would throw a fault, and you say that no other faults are showing. There are several other known possibilities for your hiccups.

For instance, as you mention tyres, mismatched or unevenly worn tyres can cause faults, especially across the same axle. If your 204 is an Estate it will have different size and offset wheels front to rear, and the esp system allows for that.

If you purchased from a dealer, then take it back and let him sort it. From a private individual, unless he's honest and obliging, you're on your own. But the first sentence here is the best course of action.

Great cars the 204's!
 

Naraic

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Your problem, as you suggested, is the tyres.

The rear ones should have a lower profile number than the fronts. Your tyres are unequal circumferences and thus the CC is being mislead.
 
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LostKiwi

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As Naraic.
The rear tyres should be a 40 profile. As they are bigger the cruise control thinks the rear wheels are turning slower than the fronts so therefore thinks something is wrong and cuts out.
 

L John

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It can also affect ESP/ABS and the ability to let you know about a puncture.

Try going into the settings and tell the computer the tyre pressures are correct.
This will reset the pressure monitoring system which is done by comparing wheel rotation speeds, not sure if that would help the cruise control but worth a try.
 
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Pedro Everett

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It can also affect ESP/ABS and the ability to let you know about a puncture.

Try going into the settings and tell the computer the tyre pressures are correct.
This will reset the pressure monitoring system which is done by comparing wheel rotation speeds, not sure if that would help the cruise control but worth a try.

I tried this but it did not made a difference. The cruise control continues to not work.
 
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Pedro Everett

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Thanks all for you help. I think as a first step I will try to replace the back tyres and see if it solves the issue. The tires are still good, so I will wait a bit more until they are worst and then change them.
 

Yugguy

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I would change them sooner. In extreme cases rolling radius differences can make the ABS kick in.
 
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Pedro Everett

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Hello to you all. To update this thread, i replaced the back tyres with new ones with the right measurements, but I am still getting the same "cruise control and speedtronic inoperative" error. So that means its not tyres related and must be something else.
Do any one knows a place in Scotland (around Edinburgh or Glasgow) were I can take the car in for a "system scan"? I am afraid that if I go to a Mercedes official dealer it could be too expensive.
Thanks :)
 

mercedes13156

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Hi, I've just had Pedro round to do some diagnostics on the car. The usual suspects like the brake switch, the wheel sensors and the column controls are all ok. The problem appears to be in the Steering Angle Sensor, despite the 980 saying it is Initialised with no faults. See pictures below. The thing is, the steering angle is reading correctly, but the rotational speed (the rate at which you are turning the steering wheel) is sitting at about 2400 degrees per second. That's between 8 and 9 full turns per second, even when the car is not moving and the steering wheel is not moving. We went for a drive (romance is not dead) and I took a video of the live data which shows the steering angle reading correctly with the rotational speed sitting at about 28 IMG_1168.JPG IMG_1169.JPG IMG_1170.JPG 00 on a straight road. As soon as the wheel is turned either way, the steering angle jumps from the correct reading to 2400. The reading fluctuates for about half a second then settles back to the correct reading. Returning to TDC is the same.

There were the usual number of faults in some of the modules, but they mostly related to some low voltage issues at some point. There were a couple of open circuits on the mirrors as well. We cleared them and the didn't come back apart from a couple of faults not in the database.

Despite the Steering Angle Sensor saying it's initialised and working fine, I think there's a problem with the sensor, or the software which calculates the rotational speed / rate of change in the steering angle.

Can anyone add to that?

Don't know what went wrong with uploading the photos. ????
 

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mercedes13156

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Hi. I can't load up the video at the moment. It's too big, so I'll have a go later. Ducking out to buy some food before the family arrives.
 

mercedes13156

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Hi LostKiwi. I see you're online this afternoon. Can you add to or clarify anything on the diagnostics above?

Much appreciated.
 

Craiglxviii

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Hi LostKiwi. I see you're online this afternoon. Can you add to or clarify anything on the diagnostics above?

Much appreciated.
Are there no local indies?
 

LostKiwi

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Re-calibrate the steering angle sensor would be my next step. You need STAR or MB-II to do this I believe
 

mercedes13156

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I just texted Pedro and he's going to take it to Grangemouth as soon as he's able for a wee shot on the STAR. He lives just a few miles away.
 

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