nboyd

My Coupe is in the wars at the moment. It is in the shop for a minor parking accident and yesterday recorded four malfuntions on the drive back from LA.

1. ESP
Electronic Stability program visit the workshop after the first 100 miles.

2. With 3/4 of a tank of gas, the gas needle suddenly pointed to 0. Within 20 miles a mulfuntion registered saying reserve fuel is depleted, visit a gas station.

3. After restarting the car the gas was back to 3/4 full, but an error came up on the dash stating the ESP was not available.

I called the service centre and they told me to take it in but it would be fine to keep on driving. I started the car and it was gone, I drove the remainding 200 miles without any additional ESP warnings.

4. Gas showed empty again about 100 miles later. pulled the car off the road and stopped the engine for several minutes. Started the car and back to normal for the remainder of the journey.

Now I have had the fuel issue every time I have been on a long journey but the ESP is a new issue. Yesterday it was 105-110 outside and I am wondering if the heat could have affected the onboard computer and therefore caused the problem?


Nathan

preyx

If the ESP messages go away after restarting the car, then that means that the problem was not permanent, and did not show up on the self test again. If it shows persistently, then it may indicate a fault.

As for the fuel gauge, I'm guessing it's a faulty part somewhere. Fixing that may also fix your ESP errors.

Mark08859

As a simpler measure, check the gas cap. My dealer stressed to me that it was extremely important the the cap be closed tightly or you'll get errors. The problem is that, unlike most other caps, the MB cap doesn't make any type of clicking noise when it is completely closed. Therefore, the pump jockey doesn't always get it right. Even if you pump your own gas, it can't hurt to check the cap.

DtS

You mean you actually have some guy filling up for you! OMG you are way too spoiled in US! I envy you!

Mark08859

Most of the States in the USA let you pump your own gas for a reduced price. The State of New Jersey, where I live, makes it illegal to pump your own gas.

avlis

Now, now. It's no treat paying an extra .50/gal for some guy to smash a nozzle into the quarter panel of your new car or spill 1/4 gallon onto your zaino'ed finish and leave the gas cap loose. I can do that myself..... There are only a few full-serve pumps in my area and I NEVER see anyone at them.

columbus

Way some people drive here, pumping gas shouldn't be the only thing better left to professionals

Deb

Nathan, when I first got my C230k, the fuel gauge never measured full and I got intermittent "ESP/BAS not available" messages. My dealer replaced the fuel pump (because I had had a slight engine hesitation twice) and the fuel sending unit/sensor. That fixed the fuel guage problem. It has been perfect ever since. I do, however, get the BAS/ESP msgs about once a month. It disappears when engine is turned off. I have wondered if perhaps it was not cleared from the memory at the shop and there is maybe a built in timed reminder which makes such messages pop up until they are cleared?? That last is pure speculation and I appologize for mentioning it without checking with my dealer, but perhaps more informed members can comment.
Deb

david_101

the fuel sensors in both my CLKs had to be replaced. something about USA additives having deleterious effects on the sending units in the tanks. never had a pump problem, though. the brake system lights all came on once. it was a minor malfunction that, i think, required no repairs, though i did bring the car in to be safe.

DrMike

I also had the bas/esp problems. some sensors were replaced twice, and no problems since. When it did occur, it was intermittent as far as the display was concerned. We also experience a sudden loss of power, for just a few seconds, when accelerating after stopping on a highway offramp. This was also remdied by a sensor transplant.