W203 Estate Bogus ESP Warning Light

[fred52]

I am wondering if anybody has hit this problem. My 2001 Reg CDI270 Estate displays "ESP - Visit Workshop' first thing in the morning (i.e. at first start). After a short run and re-start, the message then becomes 'ESP not available' and within 60 seconds this disappears and the 'No Malfunction' message appears.

Thinking it might be the battery not providing the full 12.5+V (its the original since new) I had a new battery fitted. Not very happy to find that this has not resolved the problem!

I know many ESP problems are fixed by having the brake switch replaced, but I seem to recall that somebody advised that the W203 does not have a brake sensor switch fitted?

My friendly Indie has put the diagnostic plug-in onto the car and there doesn't seem to be anything which pinpoints the problem as the readout seems to post random messages each time.

Any thoughts/ideas gratefully received - many thanks

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Any idea which random fault codes are brought up, there must be fault codes stored for the vist workshop light to come on, list them for us if you can and we will try to point you in the right direction.

 

[fred52]

Various faults

Hi - I'm not sure what the codes are but the underlying (but seemingly phoney) faults range from cruise control to 'CAN' error. Appareantly all this means is that the CAN system is not getting the required feedback.
Sorry I can't be more specific. Do you know if going to an MB dealer (likely to be costly I know) will allow a more comprehensive diagnostic to be carried out?

Thanks for your help

 

[luders79]

Hello,

I would say that the probelm that your having is due to a dip in voltage as you crank and start the car in the morning. I would suggest getting the battery checked or replaced. Also check that you haven't got a small current drain that is draining a bit of power from battery over night!!! CAN faults can quite often be caused by a dip or drop in voltage!

Hope this is of some help!!

Good luck

 

[alec2]

Are all your tyres the same size and similar wear state and at correct pressure.

Have you tried resetting the steering angle sensor. The instructions are in your handbook. This involves turning the wheel three times from lock to lock.

Alec

 

[fred52]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.............

The battery was changed on Thursday and the problem re-occured on Friday morning - but only on first start. My money was on the battery fixing it and hence my disappointment. The good news however is that it was OK this morning (Saturday) - so it may be the replacement battery (a Bosch) needed a good run to make sure it was fully charged. Fingers crossed for tomorrow morning.

If the problem re-occurs then I will follow the advice on re-setting. I think the tyres (tread and pressures) are OK but will check these too.

Watch this space......

Thanks again

 

[fred52]

ESP problem persists

Sadly, the problem is still there. First thing in the morning and only first thing, "ESP - Visit Workshop", then on second start (after say a 10 minute run) "ESP Not Available" which then clears itself after a minute and then the 'No malfunction' message!

Tyres etc all OK, re-set done too. My indie not sure what to do next - he will talk to an electrical specialist and then get back to me. So what can possibly be wrong that only casues the error message on first starts of the day?

Any ideas gratefully received
Thanks

 

[television]

There are some cures for the ESP that I will post up later, I have had a 203 come in today with ESP and BAS on and this has stumped me, the car has just been to MB Exeter where the lady paid her £200 out to have it come back on the way home

 

[fred52]

Many thanks.............

.........in advance to Television - I am really quite desparate to try and get a fix on what might be causing this problem

 

[television]

The one that gives up 3 fault codes is the connector on the ESP module that oxidises in the contacts, its a matter of unplugging and cleaning with a good non drying switch cleaner

 

[fred52]

Many thanks..............

.............. to Television for this suggestion - we will get on to it and of course I will post an update

Thanks again

 

[fred52]

not forgotten.......................

.......the car is in with my Indie today. He also has Television's helpful suggestion, so we will see what happens and of course I will post an update

 

[fred52]

ESP fault solution?

According to diagnostics the car is showing two fault codes. C1173 N49 (sterring angle sensor) Plausibility Error and c1172 N49 (steering angle sensor) Internal Error.

A replacement steering angle sensor has been recommended at £181 plus labour (3 hours) plus VAT. Does this sound right or does anybody think its a phoney/bogus error message fixed by something else?

Any suggestions and/or advice gratefully received

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Hi there
A faulty steering angle sensor sound plausable but 3 hours labour, is 2 hours to much!!
It only thats one hour maxium to replace it, airbag off, steering wheel off, then the angle sensor is removed with the combi switch etc, changed and reasembled in no time.
I would defo argue that labour charge!

 

[fred52]

Thanks for....

....the reassurance to Ellsy Tanners. I'll definitely challenge the labour cost. I remain hopeful that I am on the right course on the root cause of it all as it will an expensive item otherwise - I'll keep you posted.

 

[television]

It is also the fact that poor contacts on the multi plug will give these codes

 

[fred52]

Faulty contacts............

....Television, are these the contacts to the ESP module? If they are, my Indie's Electronic Diagnostic colleagues were supposed to have cleaned this with spray. Perhaps I should have it cleaned again before I shell out close to £300? Any advice on where to find it would be helpful as I'm sure I could manage this myself.
Thanks again

 

[television]

....Television, are these the contacts to the ESP module? If they are, my Indie's Electronic Diagnostic colleagues were supposed to have cleaned this with spray. Perhaps I should have it cleaned again before I shell out close to £300? Any advice on where to find it would be helpful as I'm sure I could manage this myself.
Thanks again

It is the one on the front axle where the sensor is fitted, I believe that I am correct there without looking it up again

 

[fred52]

All resolved..

.. sorry its been a while to post an 'all resolved' message but I have been away on holiday and it has taken another week to get the problem finally sorted.

I'm afraid all the 'cheap' ideas didn't solve the problem (but many thanks for the suggestions) and the steerring angle sensor was replaced (at a cost of £180 plus VAT plus labour) and the problem has now gone away. Can't tell you how happy I am not to see the blessed 'ESP' warning message and also get the 'malfunction' bleep when I turn off.

 

[television]

Thank you for posting back, we still work on the principle that most faults are still 95% basic, and they are