pilotsmith

Picked up a used 2000 C280 with 100K miles couple days ago. Driving home today the ABS & ESP warning lights went on. Hit brakes and sure enough ABS was not working - tires skidded. Got home and shut off car and restarted it. The lights went off and all looked good. About an hour later went to leave again and ABS + ESP lights were on again. Now it wont let me put it in gear. Any idea what I can do to try to troubleshoot what is wrong, or is the ABS / ESP hopelessly complex where only the dealer can figure out what is wrong? I was hoping I would get more than 1 day out of the car before something died on me!

Ausmbtech

The most likely fault is the failure of the stop lamp switch. If it doesn't "see" the brake pedal depressed then it won't let the selector lever out of park.

Replace the switch (very cheap) and that should solve your problems.

pilotsmith

Do you know if there is a malfunction with the ABS / ESP if that will keep the car locked in park? I tried later again in the evening and the malfunction ABS/ESP lamps were off and it went into gear ok. The brake fluid was cloudy and dirty so I had that flushed today. Dealer didn't say there were any problems with the brakes. Wondering if ABS/ESP locked car in park or just a coincidece?

Ausmbtech

The stop light switch is the most likely cause of the bas/abs light as well.

The stop light switch has 2 sets of contacts, one for the stop lights and one for the abs/bas. If the 2 signals don't match then it triggers the fault lamp. If neither work then it won't get out of park.