esp cutting in prematurely

[sims]

help, i have a 1999 sl500 and the esp traction light (triangular light on dash)
starts flashing and i can feel the brakes being applied when cornering, eg going around a roundabout. the car is no where near its limits and is not going very fast (30-50mph) and is on a neutral throttle.This seems to happen itermitantly and sometimes i can go very fast around a roundabout near to the cornering limit and it is fine, but other times it cuts in way too early.
the esp system seems fine at low cornering forces but high acceleration (eg full acceleration coming out of a roundabout), and is fine on striaght line acceleration.
any ideas what might be the issue?

thanks

 

[television]

Only a thought are you using original wheels

 

[sims]

yes has original merc 5 spoke, new back tires, front tires 2mm from wear limit.

 

[stumpy]

It could be a simple tyre wear issue. A few years ago I had a side to side imbalance in tyre wear across the back axle on my TVR. It was causing the Slip Diff to do all sorts of weird things like steering from the back in a straight line under power. A new tyre cured it instantly

 

[type49]

MLs (163) had a problem with steering angle sensors. this "tricked" the ESP control unit into thinking the car is going on hard steering lock when just being driven normally, resulting in the ESP being activated. Check tyre pressures & sizes first though.

 

[sims]

tire pressures ok and std wheels and tyres

 

[television]

tire pressures ok and std wheels and tyres

Now for something completely different, If you battery was a little on the low voltage side that would set it off to easily. When my own battery was low voltage it would set it off leaving the garage, and others have had this.

With the engine running the voltage should be 13.8 volt

 

[sims]

i will check this out, but i use the car every day and the battery seems fine.
just to confirm, there is a battery in the boot area , but it looks like there is another in the rh side of the engine bay in a large moulded housing, is this correct? and should i check the voltage at this battery in the engine bay.

 

[television]

i will check this out, but i use the car every day and the battery seems fine.
just to confirm, there is a battery in the boot area , but it looks like there is another in the rh side of the engine bay in a large moulded housing, is this correct? and should i check the voltage at this battery in the engine bay.

The car starting has nothing to do with the running voltage, as if one cell goes partial short circuit it pulls the running down, its the big battery in the boot

 

[sims]

I have just check voltage and it seems ok, it reads about 14.0 volts, any other ideas?

 

[television]

I have just check voltage and it seems ok, it reads about 14.0 volts, any other ideas?

No problem there then,I will give it some more thought

 

[kth286]

sims

and your new back tyres were an absolute like for like swap ???????????

 

[sims]

yes tyres are std size, continental sport contact 2.

 

[BLONDIE]

Has the problem only happend since new rear tyres have been fitted?
Have the recommened size and make of tyre been fitted?
Incorrect aspect ratio on tyres can cause all sorts of e.s.p faults.