ABS & ESP red warning. W211 E270. Any advice for simple checks?

ippyiain

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Hi all

2003 model E270 W211. 138k miles.

While driving through town normal traffic my dash suddenly displayed the red STOP Braking System Defective light, the ABS symbol came up with a line through it and an ESP not working message. No prior warnings or braking problems before this happened.

I pulled over and the brakes still work. SBC unit was replaced with a genuine recon Merc part about a year back and that is still making the normal priming pump noises so I don't think it's that.

I was only a mile from home so I limped back carefully. I still have braking, and it feels near to normal, but a sharp stop outside the house shows the ABS is definitely not working!

I will contact Alex Crow on Tuesday to get it booked in but any simple checks any expert can recommend in the meantime? Note I don't have access to any diagnostics so looking for any manual check ideas .

Thanks in advance!

Cheers
Iain
 

Wighty

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I breathed a sigh of relief when you said Alex is on the case , that's the end of your worries for good honest work . I can't offer advice with any manual checks for faults , and I think there is very little you could do that Alex wouldn't have to repeat anyway . Mercedes's Star diagnostics will probably pin the problem down fairly quickly anyway . Good luck , let us know how you get on
 
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ippyiain

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I breathed a sigh of relief when you said Alex is on the case , that's the end of your worries for good honest work . I can't offer advice with any manual checks for faults , and I think there is very little you could do that Alex wouldn't have to repeat anyway . Mercedes's Star diagnostics will probably pin the problem down fairly quickly anyway . Good luck , let us know how you get on
Thanks for the quick response Wighty... I had a feeling I may be clutching at straws with the ask but... :)
 

grahamcol

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As above really.
Possible lateral acceleration sensor. I had similar with my SLK and it won't cost a fortune.
Ps just re-read your query. On my SLK it was the BAS/ESP that kept coming on, so might not be the lateral acceleration sensor !
In any case you should be in good hands.
 

the director

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Sounds like a speed sensor gone on one of the wheels. The abs etc can’t then work things out so shuts down. Simple fix for a mechanic once they’ve got the part.
 
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ippyiain

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Sounds like a speed sensor gone on one of the wheels. The abs etc can’t then work things out so shuts down. Simple fix for a mechanic once they’ve got the part.
Ah...cheers... hopefully it will be something like that!
I did read another thread suggesting the aux battery but that checks out at 12.7v so don't think that.
Thanks for the response!
 

Westheath

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Corrosion on the abs reluctor rings or a sensor its self can be the cause.
 
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ippyiain

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Having left the car for 3 days, and now the ground isn't soaking wet from rain, I found this by the left rear is morning...

https://flic.kr/p/2355gt3
https://flic.kr/p/2355gTw

So the problem looks like a blown/damaged pipe! Master cylinder was way down and this had dripped off the under tray over the weekend.

Now towed to Alex for a check and fix .
 
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ippyiain

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All fixed

Corroded brake pipe. Alex replaced any sections that looked like eosl and no more nasty red messages and a working set of brakes.

I have to say I think the dash error messages were a bit misleading... maybe one that said system pressure loss rather than a fistful of ABS and ESP would have pointed me in the right direction but each to their own I guess!

And if it hadn't been raining all weekend I might have spotted the fluid on the drive quicker ( never have a fluid leak on a UK Bank Holiday weekend... it always rains )

Thanks for the tips and to Alex Crow for the quick and professional job

Cheers
 

Wighty

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All fixed

Corroded brake pipe. Alex replaced any sections that looked like eosl and no more nasty red messages and a working set of brakes.

I have to say I think the dash error messages were a bit misleading... maybe one that said system pressure loss rather than a fistful of ABS and ESP would have pointed me in the right direction but each to their own I guess!

And if it hadn't been raining all weekend I might have spotted the fluid on the drive quicker ( never have a fluid leak on a UK Bank Holiday weekend... it always rains )

Thanks for the tips and to Alex Crow for the quick and professional job

Cheers
Good job , glad it's fixed easily (by Alex ) :D
 

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