W221 heavy steering

mycos

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Hi I’ve recently purchased a 2006 s320cdi with 40k miles. I believe the SPS is somewhere at fault. From a cold start steering is as it should be, light at low speeds and stiffer as speed increases. After 15mins or so it just stays stiff. I’ve run it through a star check and it identified Y10 SPS valve as being the culprit. I’ve changed this at no small cost and cleared codes. All seamed well for about an hour but now back as before. Strangely before It went heavy I got a whole load of warning messages ref ABS, traction control etc. After turning off and restarting the messages have gone but heavy steering remains. Any suggestions where to look next would be appreciated. Thanks
 

Botus

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look for a post by alexanderfoti - he re did the electrical connection and believes it helped

the other cheap - good idea - is to swap out the fluid.... NOT red ATF type but later hydraulic fluid "straw coloured" on a merc GREEN to normal manufacturers for the same stuff (NOT citroen weird green stuff that will wreck it)
 

Botus

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I got a whole load of warning messages ref ABS, traction control etc. After turning off and restarting the messages have gone but heavy steering remains. Any suggestions where to look next would be appreciated. Thanks


fault warning lights and hideous expense is normal behaviour.... a ford focus will start each morning, drive far better and cost u about £3.69 a mile less to run
 

Botus

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fault warning lights and hideous expense is normal behaviour.... a ford focus will start each morning, drive far better and cost u about £3.69 a mile less to run


best car in the world, for going wrong ...would be a better tag line
 

alexanderfoti

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I would look at your ESP module, as that is what drives the SPS module (I think....) or as above, intermittent wheel speed will do the same. Mine was assisted, but less than I thought, I then accidentally broke the sps valve so replaced it and its been much better since.
 
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mycos

mycos

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Hi yes I think faulty wheel speed sensor could be culprit, seams to go back to normal for a day or so, fault seams to re appear when driven in the rain. Before I had the valve changed it had a wheel speed fault which was cleared and didn’t come back on the test drive. I need to get it on a STAR if I’m to be sure. As I’m going to keep the W221 I think I might be wise to invest in a STAR C3. Thanks for all the input, I’ll let your know how things progress.
 
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mycos

mycos

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Update, As a result of a different fault the car has been scanned which identified 2 issues. Rear wheel speed sensor and also gearbox output speed sensor. The gearbox appears to be fine, smooth changes etc.

The wheel sensor is realitlvly cheap so will get this replaced and see if this fixes the problem. If not I guess I’ll be getting the gearbox sorted. I’ve seen companies advertised online who can rebuild my gearbox controller for about £200 plus shipping. Does anyone have any experience with this problem?
 
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mycos

mycos

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After 2 indi diagnostic sessions I eventually bit the bullet and took it to Mercedes main dealer. The tech ran the diagnostics then started digging by testing individual components, eventually identified the culprit as a small connector which including fitting was less than £20. They charged about £75 for the diagnostics. Upon collecting all is fixed. They even flashed a number of BCM’s with the latest firmware to ensure there were no other issues. Now got the latest command update FOC. Lesson learnt, sometimes main dealers have a place with complex difficult to find problems.
 

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alexanderfoti

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After 2 indi diagnostic sessions I eventually bit the bullet and took it to Mercedes main dealer. The tech ran the diagnostics then started digging by testing individual components, eventually identified the culprit as a small connector which including fitting was less than £20. They charged about £75 for the diagnostics. Upon collecting all is fixed. They even flashed a number of BCM’s with the latest firmware to ensure there were no other issues. Now got the latest command update FOC. Lesson learnt, sometimes main dealers have a place with complex difficult to find problems.
Is that the plug that goes into the SPS!

Rare to find a good tech at a dealer.
 
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mycos

mycos

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I think it is the plug to SPS valve. conversation is a challenge here for me in Hungary and technical stuff is well beyond google translate. I agree rare to find someone prepared to do more than just run the Star diagnostics.
 
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mycos

mycos

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I think it is the plug to SPS valve. conversation is a challenge here for me in Hungary and technical stuff is well beyond google translate. I agree rare to find someone prepared to do more than just run the Star diagnostics.
 

abazem

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Can you please give me part number for this as I am having a similar issue on my w211.
I was suspecting PS pump going bad.
 

alexanderfoti

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For mine its A2114600984
 

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