hcalvarez

Been doing a lot of search before posting this, cant seem to find an answer.

I saw this pop up this morning when i started my car, then disappeared after a few seconds. Not sure if it was because of the cold weather was around 43 this morning. Also happened when i started the car after leaving work.

My question is, i have no errors or malfunctions. Called mb and the said as long as it dosen't stay on it should be fine. sorry to post, i'm still trying to find my manual in storage. Just wanted to get feedback from you guys.

No problems with the handling, driving, etc.

Any help is appreciated.

ontmiss

That's right, as long as it dosen't stay on it should be fine. I believe your battery is missing some juice because of cold weather and starter takes most of it so for the moment esp doesn't get enough.

BTW I found manual for you http://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalA...tic_sedans.pdf

phister

yea mine does the same thing when its cold outside, but it goes away. usually its due to the battery and not enough juice or it'll be the steering angle sensor. Those have been know to be a common problem for the malfunction going off.

You can try resetting the sensor by doing a full lock to lock.

nlpamg

that used to come up quite often when my car was cold as well...

also, the "battery/alternator visit workshop" message would also come on with it. it could be your battery. or, in my case, it was my alternator.

hcalvarez

Thans a bunch guys. I feel a lot better hearing it from the forum.

Thanks for the online manual as well. Very much appreciated.

ontmiss

Start saving for new battery before next winter.

C230 Sport Coup

Mine says that constantly, apparently a new sensor is required for about $600 +, but I still feel it kicking in so the warning is BS.

phister

you might just need to have it cleared

hcalvarez

Thanks man. I was also actually planning to complain about that before my warranty goes out...maybe i can get a free one. LOL

ontmiss

Those warranties are not going as you think. If warranty is 7 years and you complain after 5, they will deduct those 5 years so you will pay 5/7 and they will 2/7. Same with tires.

drho2004

Hello i am having the same issues with my 2005. when its cold i get those ESP, alternator etc errors. in the morning when im about to go work. pissses me off, im out of warranty so i was really spookedl, but car drives with no problems etc. is there a way to 'reboot' the car's computers?

ontmiss

You should be able to clear message turning steering wheel all way left then all way right 5 times.

pcy

rebooting ecu does not revive a battery that is on it's last leg. same goes for the alternator.

First address the 'charging system' (battery and/or alternator), then go for resetting the ecu. Not the other way around.

Cold temp takes a toll on the batteries. Hence, weak batteries misbehaves once the weather gets cold.

hcalvarez

i agree on this. experienced this again this morning was around 39 here. ESP again turned on then lights flickered a bit...i think i might change my battery soon. just to play safe

pcy

take the car to any auto parts store, they will load test your battery and tell you - that will confirm.

Glyn M Ruck

+1

drho2004

Hello

Thank you everyone for your input! So i grabbed a volt meter and tested the battery with engine off. I got steady 12V, then turned car on and it jumped to a steady 14V. Would this be acceptable numbers? Unfortunately the Volt meter i was using was a small hand held one and didnt give me more decimal numbers (i.e: 12.05 or 12.45 etc)

LILBENZ230

Does dyno mode not do a good job of giving this information out without the need for a volt meter? Those numbers are okay (but your battery is showing its age). Flickering lights might mean a bad ground.

drho2004

oh! tottally forgot about Dyno mode! i shall try that.

drho2004

ok i got the Dyno mode running, this is what i found:

overnight, as i get into my car for work (cold morning) battery voltage is sitting pretty at 11.9V - 12.1V

after driving for about 20mins, i turn car off i get:

13.6V-13.4

now..should i be worried

MW_ATL

You need to see what the battery is doing under a heavy load -- like cranking. I suppose you could watch the voltmeter and have someone crank it, but getting the load test is probably easiest. If it is dropping under about 10 volts it can start causing problems with the electronics.

If your car is still under the MB warranty, try...they replaced one of our car's battery just before the warranty went out with out pro-rating.

We have this problem with mobile computers in cars at work sometimes. It gets cold, and the computer shuts off when the car is cranked, but the shop will look at the ~12 volts with the car off, and the ~14 volts with the car running and tell the guy driving it the "battery is fine." Then when I have to go get them to actually load test it, they will go "Oh....yeah..." and replace the battery.

LILBENZ230

11.9v is not sitting pretty - it's almost dead. IIRC, 11.75V is dead.

Does it charge at 14.1-14.2V in motion? And when you start it, does the voltage go below 10V? Mine goes down to about 10.2V during cranking and I don't have any wild error messages.

NestorAvila

So my car has the same issue only that the ESP Not Available display stays on. Would this be due to my battery?