E350 ABS/ESP light on

[Roger57]

My 2011 E350 estate has the common problem of either a wheel sensor or reluctor ring failure which results in the usual warning lights and messages.

My iCarsoft box tells me that the culprit is the right hand rear wheel sensor. I have changed the sensor and it made no difference so next job will be to strip the hub and change the ring, I guess.

However I have noticed something rather odd. The car drives Ok sometimes but occasionally the steering becomes heavier than normal and this continues until the car is stopped and engine turned off. Start the engine again and drive away...after a few hundred yards the lights and messages appear again but the steering is not immediately affected.

I am wondering whether this has something to do with the speed sensitive power steering set-up? Has anyone come across this before?

I am assuming that if this is the case, then fixing the sensor fault will also sort the intermittent steering problem too. Could anyone confirm this please?

Regards
Roger

 

[mioba]

Yes its speed sensitive steering.
The slower you go the steering is lighter and converse. if the car doesn't know the speed it cant adjust.

ps make sure you get genuine sensors or it will need doing in a year.

If the ring is intact, a good scrub with a toothbrush and a rub with oil is a must.

 

[Roger57]

Yes its speed sensitive steering.
The slower you go the steering is lighter and converse. if the car doesn't know the speed it cant adjust.

ps make sure you get genuine sensors or it will need doing in a year.

If the ring is intact, a good scrub with a toothbrush and a rub with oil is a must.

Thank you for the prompt reply, sir...

That was what I was thinking too. my iCarsoft shows no signal from the NSR sensor. But only that one. Just wondering how this would affect the sensitivity...

But I guess I'll go ahead and strip the hub and take a look. I have heard some real horror stories about these ring thingies....like ring missing completely, or in bits etc.

I believe the reluctor ring is mounted on the stub axle inside the hub. Does anyone know the best way to do this job? Is it possible to remove the hub nut and withdraw the driveshaft from the rear?

Regards
Roger

 

[mioba]

Without answering your above question. I had an issue a few years back, where there was a certain sensor out according to star. replaced sensor and ring and same fault. replaced again, same fault. MB had to get a ticket with MB Stuttgart and the solution was a new ABS module. NOT cheap and needs programming to the VIN.

Hope its not your issue at all but worth taking note of.

funnily on my second set of front sensors now after 18 years. rear are still original - think they are better protected from the elements on my w220 at least.

 

[Roger57]

Wow. Lets hope that isnt the case....
Although it isnt a five minute job, I believe that checking out the ring should logically be next on the list though, eh?

 

[Hankiss]

Let us know the result. It is interesting to learn from other’s experience. I had problem 3 years ago on my way to Spain (from UK) in my W221. ABS, ESP light and no cruise control. Luckily, I had my Star system with me. Diagnosed Wheel Sensor fault. Spanish MB dealer in Girona wanted 125 Euros for the sensor. I got one from Auto-Doc (German mail order parts supplier) for 25 Euros. Solved the problem and done over 50K …. Still OK.

 

[Roger57]

Thank you for the prompt reply, sir...

That was what I was thinking too. my iCarsoft shows no signal from the NSR sensor. But only that one. Just wondering how this would affect the sensitivity...

But I guess I'll go ahead and strip the hub and take a look. I have heard some real horror stories about these ring thingies....like ring missing completely, or in bits etc.

I believe the reluctor ring is mounted on the stub axle inside the hub. Does anyone know the best way to do this job? Is it possible to remove the hub nut and withdraw the driveshaft from the rear?

Regards
Roger

If anyone has done this job before or knows something about it, I would appreciate their advice please....

 

[steveq]

Did you fit an MB sensor? I was told on here that non-MB sensors cause problems.

Also, would an option be to swap the sensor with the one from the other side and see if the fault moves?
It might help to establish if the reluctor ring is the cause of the problem with some certainty prior to dismantling the axle.

 

[noonboots]

If you decide to change the reluctor ring I would suggest you contact J&R driveshafts in Bimingham. You can buy a brand new complete shaft for around £80. I know it sounds to good to be true but it's not. I've used them for over ten years and fitted lots of their driveshafts especially on Mercedes. Far better than trying to fit a new ring to an old shift.

 

[Roger57]

If you decide to change the reluctor ring I would suggest you contact J&R driveshafts in Bimingham. You can buy a brand new complete shaft for around £80. I know it sounds to good to be true but it's not. I've used them for over ten years and fitted lots of their driveshafts especially on Mercedes. Far better than trying to fit a new ring to an old shift.

Thanks. I'll bear it in mind.

 

[RingoRingo]

Hi everyone,
Can't find the topic for my issue, but it is related to the one here.
I have 2004 S500 with speed sensitive steering, which disappeared somewhere.
So far I have changed: rack, PML valve, power steering pump, ESP module. Nothing helps.
Reset the steering wheel sensor. Doesn't help.
No error codes, except for low coolant level, which is not low at all. I assume I will have to replace the sensor.
Does anyone have any ideas? It will be highly appreciated, since no shop can figure this out. I have spent 500 bucks so far just for testing here and there. Thanks!

 

[mattkh]

I have 2004 S500 with speed sensitive steering,

I think on a Automatic, the speed used by the ECM for stiffening the steering may be the one from the gearbox sensor.

 

[mioba]

was your esp module coded to the vin?

 

[RingoRingo]

was your esp module coded to the vin?

We looked at Star Diagnosis and got two ESP serial numbers that can match without coding. I had my ESP with one number and found an ESP with the other number. When switched, no error has been throwed.

 

[RingoRingo]

I think on a Automatic, the speed used by the ECM for stiffening the steering may be the one from the gearbox sensor.

Everyone I asked says it's the ABS speed sensors on the wheels. They are the only thing I haven't replaced. No error codes related to them, but despite that I will first try to clean them and if it doesn't help I will replace them.

 

[mioba]

Just because the serial no of unit matches does nit mean its programmed to the car. ESP modules need programmiing to the car based on the vin

 

[RingoRingo]

Just because the serial no of unit matches does nit mean its programmed to the car. ESP modules need programmiing to the car based on the vin

With that been said shouldn’t it throw an error when I swap the modules?

 

[mioba]

Not nessarily. althought it might "work" it wont work properly.

These things are married to the cars vin.