E 430 Strange (brake) noise on taking off

[im2021]

Every day, 15 - 20 seconds after starting up my E 430 Avant (auto) and taking off, I hear a very short, high-pitched, electronic-sounding whine followed by a click/clunk sound down by my brake pedal.

The car operates without any problem but what do you think that noise is?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Ian

 

[Koolvin]

dunno what the whine is, as for the clink clunk you checked your bolts on your alloys? (tightness) if you have recently changed alloys check to see if you have the correct length bolts... if this aint the problem seek proffesional advice.

(Edited by Koolvin at 8:11 am on May 7, 2002)

 

[Matt Crooke]

Sounds like the ABS doing a quick test of its self.

 

[im2021]

Thanks Koolvin, definitely not bolts.

Thanks, Matt.  That sounds much more like it.  Raises more questions, though.

1.  Would it be normal for the ABS to test itsef every time an E 430 is started up and driven off?

2.  If so, is the process on mine noisier than on others because noone else seems to recognise the noise (including the engineer at my dealer).

3.  If it's not normal (for the ABS to test itself), should I get it fixed or just live with it?

Once again, thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Ian

 

[fuzzer]

Sounds well dodgey . Does the car still brake ok?

 

[im2021]

Yes, everything works fine including the brakes.

Without writing a book, though, here's a bit of history.  

Last year I was getting the BAS/ESP warning light coming up quite regularly (nb Brake Assist not ABS anti-lock).  I noticed by chance that this light only came on when my regular whine/clunk (see above) didn't happen.

It seems the warning light was coming on because of a faulty BAS/ESP switch which was replaced.  When I pointed out the return of the whine/clunk to the engineer he said I needed a new brake booster.  

This was fitted but I still have the whine/clunk and I thought I'd seek real knowledge here before going to the dealer and getting caned for another expensive non-solution.

Regards

Ian  

 

[Matt Crooke]

I would get on a quiet stretch of road, get to about 40mph and floor the brakes untill you come to a halt.

This way you can at least test if the ABS is working ok.

The ABS on my old Rover Sterling (sorry chaps) used to test itself periodically, bit concerning at first, as i wondered what the h*ll
it was, but i got used to it after a while.

 

[Matt Crooke]

I would get on a quiet stretch of road, get to about 40mph and floor the brakes untill you come to a halt.

This way you can at least test if the ABS is working ok.

The ABS on my old Rover Sterling (sorry chaps) used to test itself periodically, bit concerning at first, as i wondered what the h*ll
it was, but i got used to it after a while.

 

[Andy]

Hi all,

Before I start I am not sure what the noise is. But its not the ABS testing itself. Every time you start the vehicle the ABS and all other systems check themselves. If the lights go out then the relevant system is ok. If a  light comes on like the BAS, it means that this system is not working. They all failsafe. Ie, the brakes revert to normal hydraulic braking with no ABS or BAS. I am assuming the noise comes whether the handbrake\foot brake is applied or not.  What I am trying to say that the handbrake or mechanism is not sticking and releasing a little late.

Otherwise its back the "Stealership".

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com