E320 - Abs Bas and Esp lights!

[Patchitos]

Hello all , I have the common problem of the above warning lights coming on!
It's not the brake light switch which I have replaced...I need to stop guessing , It'll get expensive.
My local garage couldn't connect his scanner properly so gave it to a nearby auto electrician who also couldn't totally connect but came back saying to change the black bit on the Abs unit..I think that's the Bas module -maybe!..Anyway , the black bit has 'sealed' connections and can't just be unplugged and changed without swapping the whole unit or cutting and reconnecting the wires - sounds dubious to me...I'm not sure I trust his diagnosis..If he can't connect properly how can he discount wheel sensors or reluctor rings?.
Another clue..Everytime I start the car the warning lights have gone...They come on together when i reach 15-20 mph.
Finding someone who has the correct scanner seems to be my next step...Any clues?
Thank you...John

 

[Blobcat]

I’d have the wheels off and check the rings for dirt and rust. A cost free option

 

[mersum1es]

sounds like speed sensors /reluctor rings... when fault started, out of the blue or after some maintenance?

 

[Patchitos]

I’d have the wheels off and check the rings for dirt and rust. A cost free option

Thanks Blobcat - You sound like a wise Owl..I'll have a look.
Oh...Another thing I've noticed...When I first start the car and there are no warning lights , I can switch the big yellow triangle warning light on and off with the Esp button....Once the warning lights are on - the Esp button does nothing on or off..- No big yellow triangle.
Thank you

 

[Patchitos]

sounds like speed sensors /reluctor rings... when fault started, out of the blue or after some maintenance?

Hiya mersum1es...It started out of the blue but 1st time using the car in around a week...I read that a low battery can cause these warning lights but it's had a good run since , although I haven't actually measured the voltage.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

As you have so rightly pointed out, get the codes read before it becomes an expensive “ try this, fit that” game.

As suggested, I would pop the wheels off and clean each sensor and have a look at the reluctor rings.. It could also be the yaw or steering angle sensor as the fault seems to come on after driving a bit.
Iirc a fault with the wheels sensors will come on almost straight away as it hasn’t been able to read one of them. The steering and yaw may take a few moments once moving, turning.

Yup, check the battery too in reply to your last post.
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[Patchitos]

As you have so rightly pointed out, get the codes read before it becomes an expensive “ try this, fit that” game.

As suggested, I would pop the wheels off and clean each sensor and have a look at the reluctor rings.. It could also be the yaw or steering angle sensor as the fault seems to come on after driving a bit.
Iirc a fault with the wheels sensors will come on almost straight away as it hasn’t been able to read one of them. The steering and yaw may take a few moments once moving, turning.

Yup, check the battery too in reply to your last post.
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Ok..Thank you.
I'll take the wheels off and have a look first.

 

[LostKiwi]

You may be able to get codes using a blink code reader. Cheap and easy to make. Use the attached file to tell you how to read the codes.

 

[Patchitos]

You may be able to get codes using a blink code reader. Cheap and easy to make. Use the attached file to tell you how to read the codes.

Ok ,Thank you...I'll look into it.

 

[Patchitos]

As you have so rightly pointed out, get the codes read before it becomes an expensive “ try this, fit that” game.

As suggested, I would pop the wheels off and clean each sensor and have a look at the reluctor rings.. It could also be the yaw or steering angle sensor as the fault seems to come on after driving a bit.
Iirc a fault with the wheels sensors will come on almost straight away as it hasn’t been able to read one of them. The steering and yaw may take a few moments once moving, turning.

Yup, check the battery too in reply to your last post.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hmm...I've been thinking about what you said about the steering angle sensor..While the car was parked for a week without use , I noticed the wheel was pointing towards and slightly on a low kerb!..It was after this that the warning lights came on..While at my local garage I noticed a chunk out of the rim..I found the chunk later where that wheel was parked.
I've since replaced all 4 wheels...One had a chunk out and the 2 rear wheels slowly leaked!
Maybe you're on to something...Is it just a case of having the tracking checked or are there other possibilities?
Thank you...John.
The kerb wasn't hit at any speed - more manouvering to park

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Not really to do with the tracking.
The steering angle and yaw work with the abs, bas sensors to determine what the car is doing and what needs to be done to correct it at that time.
I would go to a good Mercedes Independent garage and get the fault codes read.


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[Patchitos]

Not really to do with the tracking.
The steering angle and yaw work with the abs, bas sensors to determine what the car is doing and what needs to be done to correct it at that time.
I would go to a good Mercedes Independent garage and get the fault codes read.


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Ok thanks..I'll check wheels first then get the codes read.
I'll let you know when I have an update

 

[Patchitos]

Thank you everybody for your help and suggestions
I have a much better idea of what to do.
I'll update when I have some news

 

[onefortheroad]

Turning the steering wheel lock to lock a few times resets the steering angle. At 10 mph the wheel speed sensors throw wobblers . Your steering goes heavy and you get abs esp faults.


Also. The 4 wheels you put on . Are the tyre sizes correct ??

 

[Patchitos]

Ok...Thank you..I'll try resetting the steering...I haven't noticed the steering getting heavy!
The fault occurred just before changing the wheels...like for like wheels with my original fairly new tyres.
Thanks.

 

[onefortheroad]

Ok...Thank you..I'll try resetting the steering...I haven't noticed the steering getting heavy!
The fault occurred just before changing the wheels...like for like wheels with my original fairly new tyres.
Thanks.

It would if the wheel speed sensors are at fault. You may just need to charge the battery and reset the angle. Best with a code read also. Good luck.

 

[LostKiwi]

I don't get why abs sensors would make hydraulic power steering go heavy?

 

[mersum1es]

I don't get why abs sensors would make hydraulic power steering go heavy?

It does IF parametric steering fitted. No effect to regular one.

 

[onefortheroad]

I don't get why abs sensors would make hydraulic power steering go heavy?

Nevermind eh. Theres more to life right now .

 

[Patchitos]

Battery is fine,,,12.3v before starting -14.05v after starting.
I disconnected the battery and done the steering reset...No change..Warning lights back at 20mph..Hmm.
Wheels off next!