Pulling park-break release handle clears all errors

[Edatefi]

Hi
Recently I got loads of error messages on my E220 SE bluetech. There is something very strange! When I pull the park-break release handle hard, it clears all messages and car runs normally. Some of the errors are
1-without changing gear
2-restraint sys malfunction
3-adaptive high beam inoperative
4-sos inoperative
And a few more!
I can not understand why pulling the release hard could do anything to remedy the errors.
please help

 

[alexanderfoti]

There must be a loose wire under the dash, or something is being moved when you pull it. Needs diagnostics whilst they are up. Very odd though!

 

[Edatefi]

There must be a loose wire under the dash, or something is being moved when you pull it. Needs diagnostics whilst they are up. Very odd though!

Thank you for your reply. That’s what I thought at first. I removed the side panel to check the cable visually. I then unlocked the steering wheel and shook it, the errors didn’t go away. I know exactly how much I have to pull the hand release for the errors to go away. It’s so consistent that I can put a block of wood behind the handle and everything is fine. Someone has suggested that it could be a break issue. I have ordered a diagnostic tool to get to the bottom of this. It is so puzzling and I am fascinated by it. I will keep you updated but meanwhile if anyone has any ideas let me know please.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Very odd indeed. Post up the codes when you have them. Are you using an icarsoft?

 

[Edatefi]

Very odd indeed. Post up the codes when you have them. Are you using an icarsoft?

Yes, I have ordered the icarsoft MB II. I will post the codes.

 

[00slk]

Bad earth???

 

[Edatefi]

Bad earth???

That is a very good point. You may be right, unusual problems like this could be contributed to a bad earth. But where do I start?

 

[00slk]

That is a very good point. You may be right, unusual problems like this could be contributed to a bad earth. But where do I start?

Good question.......From stripping older Mercedes there were earth wiring attached under the dash amongst other earth points around the car. Usually the earths are located in the engine bay, cabin and boot, it may involve removing some of the interior trim under the dash and side panels. Apart from that I am just guessing.

 

[Edatefi]

Good question.......From stripping older Mercedes there were earth wiring attached under the dash amongst other earth points around the car. Usually the earths are located in the engine bay, cabin and boot, it may involve removing some of the interior trim under the dash and side panels. Apart from that I am just guessing.

Thank you for your reply.

 

[Edatefi]

Good question.......From stripping older Mercedes there were earth wiring attached under the dash amongst other earth points around the car. Usually the earths are located in the engine bay, cabin and boot, it may involve removing some of the interior trim under the dash and side panels. Apart from that I am just guessing.

I have discovered that pulling the bonnet (hood) cable it cures the problem too!

 

[alexanderfoti]

I have discovered that pulling the bonnet (hood) cable it cures the problem too!

I bet the CAN connector that sits in the plastic panel underneath the dash has a loose connector.

It looks like this:

 

[Jim2]

So its obviously something in that neck of the woods causing the problem.....I'd suggest taking down the covering tray around the brake release handle and seeing what cables, earths etc. are located there.

 

[Jim2]

While on the subject of the brake release handle, a few days ago, the handle in my 2014 E class got very loose..its still works fine, but the actuall pull handle seems to have come adrift from its guide within the unit itself. Seems to come out much further..as if a stop has broken in it.

 

[Edatefi]

Thank you everyone for all your help. It suddenly clicked that it was nothing to do with the parking break nor the bonnet release. As I was pulling these cables, I was actually moving the housing below the dash. I started to move the housing and the problem went away. I only had to move it by less than a mm for the problem to go away. As I was undoing the screws to remove the covers, the problem went away! Just by loosing the screws the cover must have moved enough for the remedy the problem. It has been working consistently for a couple of days now. I am going to wait until it starts playing up again. I shall update you in the near future.
BTW, when I connected the icarsoft there where tons of errors. 9 modules were missing but came back when I moved the housing below the dash. I cleared all the errors and none has come back.

 

[Mr Greedy]

As per the recommendation by Alex, I personally would hurry and and get the wires, connectors and earths in that area looked at.

Having electronics connecting and disconnecting by wiring fault sounds like a recipe for causing damage to those electronics. You might be saving yourself up for a much bigger bill and/or repair by delaying.

 

[alexanderfoti]

I agree, it's not fixed, just placed in a perfect way until you hit a bump.....

Wiggle that connector I have pictured and see what happens

 

[Jim2]

Thank you everyone for all your help. It suddenly clicked that it was nothing to do with the parking break nor the bonnet release. As I was pulling these cables, I was actually moving the housing below the dash. I started to move the housing and the problem went away. I only had to move it by less than a mm for the problem to go away. As I was undoing the screws to remove the covers, the problem went away! Just by loosing the screws the cover must have moved enough for the remedy the problem. It has been working consistently for a couple of days now. I am going to wait until it starts playing up again. I shall update you in the near future.
BTW, when I connected the icarsoft there where tons of errors. 9 modules were missing but came back when I moved the housing below the dash. I cleared all the errors and none has come back.

Did you continue to remove the screws, and take down the cover? or just tighten up everything again? I'd be inclined to investigate more fully....if it stopped "just like that", it can restart just as quick. It needs to be fixed properly .

 

[Edatefi]

Did you continue to remove the screws, and take down the cover? or just tighten up everything again? I'd be inclined to investigate more fully....if it stopped "just like that", it can restart just as quick. It needs to be fixed properly .

No, once the problem went away I left it screw position at that. I checked all the connectors, none was loose!

 

[Edatefi]

I agree, it's not fixed, just placed in a perfect way until you hit a bump.....

Wiggle that connector I have pictured and see what happens

I did wiggle it but nothing happened. It gets more and more puzzling.