ESP; Speedtronic Fault

[mmather26]

Hi all, would really appreciate your views with an intermittent issue on my W203 C220 CDI, year 2005.

Previously an occasional issue happened where the following warnings appeared - "ESP Fault visit workshop" and "Speedtronic drive to workshop". Originally these didn't effect anything else and would clear when switched engine off and back on.

These have now become more frequent with additional electrical issues happening at the same time as the faults above, namely - Indicators, Wipers and Main beam don't work.

Sometimes, leaving the car for a while and re-starting will clear all these and other times it just doesn't, leaving it undriveable.

I've read other threads about ESP issues but none mention this in conjunction with the other intermittent faults I'm seeing, so would be great to hear some advice from the forum.

Thanks

 

[Botus]

water ingress in front SAM ? (fuse box for want of complicated description)
ABS signal issues from the sensors and or the wrong tyre sizes (diff front to back are common elements)

 

[mmather26]

water ingress in front SAM ? (fuse box for want of complicated description)
ABS signal issues from the sensors and or the wrong tyre sizes (diff front to back are common elements)

Thanks for the quick reply!

Forgive the lack of knowledge, but not heard the term SAM before....what does SAM stand for?

You're referring to a front fuse box, do you mean the "Main fuse box in the dashboard" (by driver door) or "Additional fuse box in engine compartment"?
Should I simply be taking covers off, drying out and making sure are sealed properly?

You mention ABS signal issues from sensors / wrong tyre sizes - I haven't had an ABS fault signal come up and have the right tyre sizes fitted, (standard are different on front to back).

The latest faults with the "ESP Fault visit workshop" and "Speedtronic drive to workshop" are Indicators (turn signals), Wipers and Main beam

Appreciate you taking the time to help, thanks

 

[Botus]

SIGNAL ACQUISTION MODULE

modern cars get a fuse relay box with a brain, it enables the manu to tweak features / toy count to suit those paid for at birth

BCM Body control module - industry generic term (can get muddled with earlier use of the acronym for battery control module)
GEM - FORD general electric module
ZFE - BMW central chassis electronics

quite common to fill the case with water and or get corrosion and they play up.... simple early one's you can often get away with a replacement off ebay, the later / more complex stuff you have to programme the toys to get it to behave and or online programme...

diff tyres front to back.... can be a feature.... but just coz one car had it doesn't mean you can just bolt those on to a similar car.... that's the sort of extras you have to get right when swapping the SAM

ESP works from a simple IMU (inertial measurement unit) and signals from the ABS sensors - certain models the reluctor ring falls to bits by the disc and or the sensors fail. Sometime you can try and clean them,

you may have a wiring / connection issue to the steering column. I have no experience on this model just throwing a few common ideas on the table... I'll go with the SAM under the bonnet

http://www.mercedesmedic.com/2001-2007-c-class-fuse-location-map-diagram-pictures/ FUSES 43 to 63 under the bonnet where the rain goes

you don't tend to get far without experience and decent diagnostics

 

[mmather26]

SIGNAL ACQUISTION MODULE

modern cars get a fuse relay box with a brain, it enables the manu to tweak features / toy count to suit those paid for at birth

BCM Body control module - industry generic term (can get muddled with earlier use of the acronym for battery control module)
GEM - FORD general electric module
ZFE - BMW central chassis electronics

quite common to fill the case with water and or get corrosion and they play up.... simple early one's you can often get away with a replacement off ebay, the later / more complex stuff you have to programme the toys to get it to behave and or online programme...

diff tyres front to back.... can be a feature.... but just coz one car had it doesn't mean you can just bolt those on to a similar car.... that's the sort of extras you have to get right when swapping the SAM

ESP works from a simple IMU (inertial measurement unit) and signals from the ABS sensors - certain models the reluctor ring falls to bits by the disc and or the sensors fail. Sometime you can try and clean them,

you may have a wiring / connection issue to the steering column. I have no experience on this model just throwing a few common ideas on the table... I'll go with the SAM under the bonnet

http://www.mercedesmedic.com/2001-2007-c-class-fuse-location-map-diagram-pictures/ FUSES 43 to 63 under the bonnet where the rain goes

you don't tend to get far without experience and decent diagnostics

That's really helpful....thanks a lot for the explanations. Electronics are an area I've no clue!

I think its worth me paying the dealer to run the diagnostics, as I don't have access to the kit, and then take it from there. It seems like the SAM isn't too much to replace and the same for the ABS sensors.

Fingers crossed eh.

 

[LostKiwi]

Don't use a dealer on a car that age unless you want them to rape your wallet.
Use a reputable independent - if you tell us where you are we might be able to suggest one that's known to be good and trustworthy.

MB labour charges alone are wallet busting and that's before they start the 'computer says' game of parts replacement.

 

[mmather26]

Don't use a dealer on a car that age unless you want them to rape your wallet.
Use a reputable independent - if you tell us where you are we might be able to suggest one that's known to be good and trustworthy.

MB labour charges alone are wallet busting and that's before they start the 'computer says' game of parts replacement.

I was heading to the dealer as I've moved to a new area and don't know anyone, but its would be great if there's someone you could point me too.
I'm based in New Romney, Kent TN28

Thanks for your help and advice!

 

[LostKiwi]

@alexanderfoti on here owns AMF automotive and would be my place to go if I were in your shoes.

Mercedes Servicing, Tuning, Remapping Tonbridge | AMF Automotive

Welcome to AMF Automotive Mercedes Specialists. For Mercedes Servicing, Tuning & Remapping Tonbridge come to us. We are Mercedes & AMG specialists in Kent.

www.amfmercedes.com

32 miles away but well worth the drive in my opinion.

 

[mmather26]

For the benefit of others...thought I'd close out this thread with the actual fault details after taking the car to AMF Automotive.

1. Seems water hadn't been draining properly from channel at bottom of windscreen, causing a corroded connection from SAM feeding Steering column module - cleaned up connection.
2. Steering Column Module failed - replaced with used.
3. Front SAM not replaced.

So far, no re-occurrences of the original fault messages. Fingers crossed it stays that way and the front SAM doesn't need replacing.

Thanks to Alex and the team @ AMF. Great job!