R170 SLK 200K ABS lights and limp mode

palle

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I hope someone here will be able to help with the mysterious fault with my car. I've had the car for around 4 years and this fault has existed in one form or another for around a year - I've been through 2 local indi's both having failed to fix the problem. It seems ot share a number of common areas with threads posted on the forums, but not exact.

The car does not have the original wheels, but has never had during my ownership and was fault free for three years.

Symptoms:
1) Initially started with ABS/BAS/ Engine light coming on following fairy recent replacement of discs / pads -diagnosed as nsr speed sensor which was replaced.
2) Lights on again - diagnosed as faulty nsr speed sensor (replaced under warranty)
3) And again, this time drove the car with the lights on. Car then started to switch into limp mode is very awkward places - M4 onslip in 1st gear! Speedometer also not registering - no speed and no odometer miles recorded.

Switching the ignition on and off sometimes helps.

The fault would reoccur after relatively short distances - say 100 miles max.

Latest diagnosis is that it can only be the module on the ABS pump following complete check of wiring circuit - quoted £800 for new pump - found a place on the web stating they could repair the pump "Autotek" - sent pump and advised that the unit was faulty and could be repaired for £360. Quick search suggested their opinion was dubious. Second diagnostic by "BBA Reman" who have said no fault found. Pump now on the way back to the indi who will invariably say that it can only be a fault with that part and will wash their hands. Seems the only option is to hand the car to the main dealer or just get rid. :(

Any and all input much appreciated.
 
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palle

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Any thoughts on this one guys? Could really do with your help. I've searched the forums for solutions and passed them onto the indi most he's sayin are either not relevant or he's checked:

Wheels - ok
Connections at base of windscreen (plug holes blocked) - already checked
Brake light switch - unlikely as it would report a fault
Front speed sensor - all checked and working
Lateral movement sensor - checking
ABS pump - sent for testing and no errors found.

I've also noticed that most of you have the STAR system - my indi has a different diagnostic tool - how much difference can that make?
 
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andy@pcd-ltd

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having a different diagnostic can make a massive difference like out found out this week.

I would get it stuck on a star machine and get the fault codes read,

If it keeps coming up with nsr wheel speed sensor has the abs ring been checked for damage.

Where abouts are you so we can recommend a indi near you that has star
 

Alex Crow

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if the car has ETS/ARS and the scanner thinks it has ESP, or vice versa the wheel speed sensors will be switched. ie, if you read out n/s/r sensor but have the wrong module selected it will actually be the o/s/r. but that is not the best advice i can give...

as above, you really need a second opinion, and the main dealer is not necessarily the best way to go. if you give us an idea of your location we may well be able to recommend a good specialist with STAR and required knowledge. anyone claiming to be a specialist without STAR these days is not really tooled up properly.
 

jibcl500

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In front of the battery there is a small fuse box with a black plastic flip lid on it, I think from memory there are 4-5 wires that go into it, the fuses in there are all large 40-50-60 amp I think, anyway check the fuses as one is for the ABS pump and if blown will bring on the dash lights, as will a dodgy connection.

jib
 
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palle

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thanks for the replies guys - sorry for the delay getting back to you - just been to watch Wales beat Ireland in the six nations! My location is south east wales (nr Cardiff) - tried two indi's in the area so far - Studgaard and Alliance - the only one I know of left is Continental, but am really losing the will! I'll check the fuses as soon as the car is back - at this point Alliance seem to be a little upset that I had the ABS pump tested rather than replaced and hence are taking their time re-fitting it to the car.:neutral:

Thanks
 

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Would Caversham on the West side of Oxford be too far
 
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palle

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It's gotta be around 100 miles away - bit of a trek.
 

television

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Yes it is if it locks up, there was someone call Griffiths over your way somewhere who was very good with STAR, see if I can find out more
 
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palle

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Thanks Malcolm - appreciate it - there are quite a few Griffiths' around these parts.:lol:
 
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palle

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Well, I'm trying a new independant -this time one with STAR. He's come back and said big oil leak from gearbox into gearbox multiplug and loom with traces of oil at gearbx control module (yet unit itself is clean, although has been previously opened). I believe the oil leak as we have a corresponding dark patch on our drive, which I'd mentioned to the previous garage. Also showed me evidence of oil in the connectors at the ECU and ABS ECU. We've already had the sensor at the front of the engine (and the asociated wiring loom) replaced a year or so ago. Is it plausable for a gearbox oil leak to drive oil all the way up to the ECU and send the signals nuts? His suggested approach is to fix the oil leak (and at same time change gearbox oil as its dirty); remove all connectors and let them drain for a few days, clean out ecu's as much as possible and place them somewhere warm to dry. all sound reasonable to you guys.

PS Malcolm are you able to repair headlight control switches for the R170 or are the a throw away and replace item - intermittent fault with the indicators which a bang on the switch seems to fix for a while.

Thanks!
 

television

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It is normal for the leaking pilot bush to leak fluid into the loom and ECU's, wash them out with lighter fuel and dry them and all will be fine.

I cannot see any connection with the blinkers and the light switch unless you mean the stalk, and if these go faulty and they do then replace only
 

Alex Crow

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hard to see all these ESP related faults being down to the gearbox management, it cannot account for the speedo not working.
 

television

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hard to see all these ESP related faults being down to the gearbox management, it cannot account for the speedo not working.

I have to agree I only read the last reply
 
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palle

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OK guys, car returned from the latest independent now with new gearbox oil and replaced multiplug to sort out the gearbox oil leak. The have cleaned the ECU and allowed the wiring to drain for several days to remove any oil that existed in it. They cleaned the ecu and abs pump with alcohol based cleaner - but still the same problem - ABS / BAS / ESP lights on. Latest garage now concur with the report of the earlier garage that everything points to a fault with the ABS pump module - which has been tested and no fault found by "BBA reman". I don't mind replacing the pump if it actually is the problem, but there doesn't seem to be any way of finding out other than taking a gamble and spending the £800 or so - anyone know where I can get one of these at a lower cost or have any suggestions on how I can get a definate answer.
 

television

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I would take off the top caver and remove the PCB with all of the solenoids and re solder the connection on the multi plug socket, I did this to my V70 pump 2 years back and all been fine since
 
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palle

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Ok - bit of an update - the car came back from the latest specialist - ran for 150 miles during long journey without a hitch. The following day back into limp mode for a short period - did this a few more times over about four days and around 100 miles. Since, limp mode / speedo issue has not re-occurred for about 10 days and say 300 miles plus. It suggests that sorting out the gearbox multiplug oil leak has helped quite a lot, although there was a delay in seeing the benefit. We still have the ABS /BAS light on so are heading to the main dealer to have a speed sensor replaced under warranty again. Fingers crossed this may resolve the remaining lights or atleast give us a more definitive answer regarding any remaining problems.
 

television

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Thanks for the post and please keep us updated
 
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