E430 ABS/ESP/BAS fault - Forum provides solution :)

[Veridian]

Hi all, just really to say thanks to all you guys for the information on here.. 20 mins after having to do an emergency stop last weekend, my ABS, BAS, ESP were all indicating as faulty.. also during the week I found the Cruise control had packed up.. Thought oh my god how many thousands is this going to be!.. Having checked on here, likely fault was a brake light switch.. So yesterday a quick trip to MB World Brooklands - luckily 15 mins away - - £12.17 and with a knowing smile from the parts man, I managed to fit the switch yesterday and all is well!. Thanks again everyone.. Only now got to sort out my Rain Sensor which works v intermittently and sort my reversing lights out -- which are stuck on -so Ive removed them - and it'll be hunky dory!
Cheers
Steve
98 E430 Elegance
with lovely elecky orthopedic seats .

PS I be wary buying a 2nd hand CLK 63 ex demo from them - judging from the thrashing they were getting on the skid pan!

 

[television]

Thank you for posting back saying all is well. the reverse lights could be the switch in the center console

 

[Veridian]

Mmm

Hi Malcolm, I understand the likley part is around £50-60 must admit had the same sort of thing happen on a Vauxhall many years ago - believe its probably a knackered switch somewhere on the gear linkage. Is there any tech links/descriptions of how to strip down the centre consul to get at it. Just noticed you very good description of removing the instunement panel to change the lights illuminating the instrument binnacle .. typical I was half way there yesterday changing the brake switch as I have a blown bulb on the panel.. D'oh!

Regarding my rain sensor - just checked the screen I see I have a Splintex windscreen with no MB badge on it.. suddenly it all becomes clear as the screen doesnt have a single stone chip ecven though im nudging 100K miles - but has certainly been professionally fitted. Just took off the sensor, and tried the wipers which surprisingly work as they should - ie wipe once then stop.. but as soon as i put the sensor back in position they come on continuously - wonder if its worth taking the mounting bracket off the screen and re cluing it on- wouldnt be at all surprised if Mssrs autoglass or whoever fitted the screen just rebonded it with the old glue still in place!

Load of questions.. hoping for some answers

98 E430 W210

 

[television]

Taking this a piece at a time. The rain sensor.

The LED is beamed at 45 degrees to the circle on the screen, the pickup sensor is set at the same angle and recieves the reflected signal, when rain hits the circle on the screen it puts the reflected beam out of focus, the drop in the signal to the pickup turns on the wiper and it carries on wiping while the rain is hitting the sensor, when the rain stops the pickup recieves the full signal and this turns the wiper off

I will come back later on the other things

 

[Veridian]

Thanks for taking the time to come back to me, I thought that's probably how the sensor worked given the info shown in other related posts.
I need to check out a similar era W210 to see where the sensor window is. I only say that, as looking from the outside of my car - even with the sensor off.. All I can see is a patch (1/2 a postage stamp size) of Very VERY dark blue.. have to be at the right angle to even pick it up.
Theres a small clear circle slightly offset - lower left looking from inside, that lines up with what seems to be an IR sensor on the lower corner of the rain sensor. I've been all over that area of screen with glass cleaners but doesnt make a difference Im wandering whether because its a replacement screen its somehow interfering with the 'light' signal.

 

[television]

Yes we have had many post where replacement screens do not work, only the MB screen, you will have to break it and insist on a MB glass

 

[Veridian]

Crikey Malcolm!
I feared that might be the solution!! Think Ill just have to live with it for the moment, but next time i get a crack Ill know what to do!! just hope sorting my reversing light gizzit will be easier. In the meantime Ill check out what a genuine MB screen looks like just to see the difference! TTFN S