Conv_GSDriver

Guys, this situation has now happened two days in a row now. Day before yesterday and last night. Basically I get the message as described in the picture, the light for what I think is traction control comes on around the top left of message and the car starts to rev at higher RPMs but I can't go any faster than 20MPH. I know it says to look at instruction manual but I figure I can get a quicker answer here. To get the car back to normal, I just shut off the car and it's starts normal. But this now two days in a row /-(

I was not able to take it to the dealer today due to other errands but will tomorrow.

CarHopper

I've seen this come up a few times. From that I've learned that the dealer is just going to tell you it isn't anything to worry about as no actual codes have been thrown. The techs will say just shut the car off and turn it back on. Hence "unavailable." If that said "Inoperative" that is a different story.

Essentially the car has all traction control sensors/monitors whatever in place as I assume you didn't put the car in sport mode or turn off traction control. Then, for whatever reason, the car starts to lose traction and more so than those sensors will allow for. Thus, it puts you into a limp mode to protect itself from doing any damage.

We're you trying to lose traction and get squirrely? Or did it randomly happening while you were minding your business?

johnny--2k

sounds like its going into limp mode for some reason, and if it goes away with a restart, could be a faulty sensor somewhere in the ESP system since it's throwing that for a loop. Maybe a bad wheel speed sensor that's triggering it?

Just a purely random guess based on the pic though...

Conv_GSDriver

Just so you all know, the 2nd time it happened, last night, I was backing into my garage, placed the car in park and it happened. I did not change any modes, when I started the car earlier I did not change anything. But to happen at low speed like that and after placing in park for the night. That's when I took the picture.

Critter

Check the tire air pressure with a gauge, Possible wheel diameter issue?

Conv_GSDriver

All tires running at 39PSI. Tires are the appropriate size and sidewall is correct for the OEM 18s it has.

Critter

Have you checked the pressures since the issue started.

Conv_GSDriver

Yes, now before replying to your suggestion.

AMGer

I've had that happened a few months back. It gradually occurred more often and randomly. It happened while I was driving whether around town or highway and it was dangerous. I remember I could make the problem occur whenever I use cruise control. Finally I got a solid CEL that stayed I could show my dealership. I did also take videos and pictures as they happened. In my case, they found a large corrosion hole in my intake manifold. Thank goodness I was still under the original warranty and got the whole manifold replaced. Not saying you have a hole there too, but perhaps you have an intake leak?

Critter

A large corrosion hole in the intake on a 4 year old car, where do you live in a rock salt mine?

AMGer

LOL! Yeah, I was like WTF too when they told me that. I picked up my car as a CPO and I assume it was from the last owner of the car. So much for CPO thorough inspections . I'm just glad it happened sooner than later.

Conv_GSDriver

Wow really? Hope that's not it.

m a x i m u s

+1. intake mani is $3500 just for the part. probably another $500 to install.

CarHopper

It's not going to be the intake mani.

Keep driving. If the problem persists come back and tell us. It is quite strange that it happened at low speed just backing into your garage.

Pay extra attention to modes/speeds/road condition for the next few days so that if it goes off you are armed with all the variables for us and the dealer.

My guess, this back to back thing was a fluke and wont happen for a long time. If it does, likely a sensor of sorts.

That whole intake mani thing just boggles my mind. I want to say the whole was from someone running nitrous but I doubt that.

Conv_GSDriver

Well been running a few errands this morning with it and so far so good. About to drive it 65 miles one way to drop a set of wheels to get powder coated. The weather this entire week has been the same, sunny everyday high 80s to low 90s during the high. That's high desert weather for you. I will keep track of that. I am considering turning off ESP since I have the ability to do so.

VaclavSV

It could be your throttle pedal! Happened to me on the Black Series! -They replaced the throttle pedal due to faulty connection and everything was fine. It was happening daily for me also.

Conv_GSDriver

Put about 120 miles today, no issues came up so that's a sigh of relief.

Gadget

Sounds like a throttle control failure mode.

G

deeoh

Yep, happened to me also. They replaced the throttle pedal assy and I was good to go!

Conv_GSDriver

How much $ was that maintenance if it wasn't covered by warranty?

deeoh

Mine was/is still under warranty. So luckily for me, I paid 0 dollars.

ced357

This happened to me once a while back in my black series. I shut it off and turned it back on, everything cleared and never happened again

Shifter

Intake manifold leak is not all that uncommon on the 156. But usually it is accompanied by a check engine, not esp light.

Conv_GSDriver

Thanks for all the input so far guys.

CarHopper

Just keep an eye on it obviously. If it happens once every few months I really wouldn't worry too much. Yes, it was strange to occur twice this frequently.

However, I think you should be good to go.

Keep us updated