2003 C230 Compressor BAS, ABS, ESP and P codes all of a sudden
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 45
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From: Northern Virginia
2003 C230 Compressor BAS, ABS, ESP and P codes all of a sudden
I've been driving my "new" 2003 C230 Kompressor Coupe 6-speed for 6k miles now and slowly checking off the maintenance and repairs that the previous owner deferred. None of them caused any trouble codes or lights however.
Friday after a number of starts and stops I started the engine and quickly backed out of a space to catch up with someone. All of a sudden the ESP, ABS and BAS errors lit up on the dash. I had that happen in my E320 before when the brake switch got flaky and figured they would go away with a restart. That is not the case here.
When I start it, it starts without issue and runs fine. No errors are present until I get up to about 20 mph. If I'm rolling slowly and braking I can feel a pulsing in the brake pedal.
I decided to check for any trouble codes with Torque and found the following codes. I don't know if they are new, but the MIL light isn't on.
P0020
P201D
P2029
P202A
P2054
I did look and this has the harness extensions on the cam phasers and while the plugs at the phasers have a slightly wet look to them, the oil has not migrated past the extensions into the harness. I disconnected the battery and removed the ECU plug and it is dry.
Thanks for the help!
Friday after a number of starts and stops I started the engine and quickly backed out of a space to catch up with someone. All of a sudden the ESP, ABS and BAS errors lit up on the dash. I had that happen in my E320 before when the brake switch got flaky and figured they would go away with a restart. That is not the case here.
When I start it, it starts without issue and runs fine. No errors are present until I get up to about 20 mph. If I'm rolling slowly and braking I can feel a pulsing in the brake pedal.
I decided to check for any trouble codes with Torque and found the following codes. I don't know if they are new, but the MIL light isn't on.
P0020
P201D
P2029
P202A
P2054
I did look and this has the harness extensions on the cam phasers and while the plugs at the phasers have a slightly wet look to them, the oil has not migrated past the extensions into the harness. I disconnected the battery and removed the ECU plug and it is dry.
Thanks for the help!
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 571
Likes: 92
From: New England! :-)
2005 C230K Sport Coupe
None of those codes are ABS related.
Fwiw, most people have better things to do than to look up codes because the poster doesn't include a description of the codes.
I doubt that the Torque app can read many of the MB custom codes.
I see that the iCarSoft scanner is now dirt cheap at $160.
iCarSoft Mercedes/Smart MB II
4.1 out of 5 stars 47 customer reviews
Price: $160.00
You can:
1) Randomly replace stuff, until you've replace everything in the car - down to the last bolt.
2) Go to the Dealer and pay for a scan (~$250+).
3) Buy a DAS/STAR clone from ebay (~$800+).
4) Buy the iCarSoft scanner ($160), and read the ABS codes.
Many people choose #1.
Then again, imho, that shows how intelligent many people are.
I suggest #4 or #3.
Since you got a BAS error, that might point to a brake pressure, booster, master cylinder, fluid level, etc problem.
But, maybe MB wants/requires wheel speeds for BAS?
I would think that all BAS would need would be vehicle speed, brake pedal, and brake pressure.
Good Luck!
Fwiw, most people have better things to do than to look up codes because the poster doesn't include a description of the codes.
I doubt that the Torque app can read many of the MB custom codes.
I see that the iCarSoft scanner is now dirt cheap at $160.
iCarSoft Mercedes/Smart MB II
4.1 out of 5 stars 47 customer reviews
Price: $160.00
You can:
1) Randomly replace stuff, until you've replace everything in the car - down to the last bolt.
2) Go to the Dealer and pay for a scan (~$250+).
3) Buy a DAS/STAR clone from ebay (~$800+).
4) Buy the iCarSoft scanner ($160), and read the ABS codes.
Many people choose #1.
Then again, imho, that shows how intelligent many people are.
I suggest #4 or #3.
Since you got a BAS error, that might point to a brake pressure, booster, master cylinder, fluid level, etc problem.
But, maybe MB wants/requires wheel speeds for BAS?
I would think that all BAS would need would be vehicle speed, brake pedal, and brake pressure.
Good Luck!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
You are of course exactly correct. I didn't post expecting anyone to look up the codes. Honestly I hoped that the sudden onset of all three would trigger a response like "Oh the only thing that all three systems rely on is the TPS" or something similar.
Since it hasn't, here are the codes:
"A P0020 code refers to the VVT (variable valve timing) or VCT (variable camshaft timing) components and the car's PCM (powertrain control module). That consists of an oil control valve (OCV), also called a solenoid valve and other components. Basically the check engine light and associated P0020 trouble code means that the voltage in the circuit has fallen below a set limit for a specific amount of time (varies by make/model/engine)."
"P201D: Mixture Format Self Adaptation (Fuel Trim)" Note: I did replace the $12 hose and the supercharger 6,000 miles ago. No MIL light since
"P2029 mixture format self adapt ion fuel trim"
P202A "CAN message traction system vehicle speed implausible"
P2054 "continuous camshaft adjustment, incorrect position of intake camshaft"
-Tad
Since it hasn't, here are the codes:
"A P0020 code refers to the VVT (variable valve timing) or VCT (variable camshaft timing) components and the car's PCM (powertrain control module). That consists of an oil control valve (OCV), also called a solenoid valve and other components. Basically the check engine light and associated P0020 trouble code means that the voltage in the circuit has fallen below a set limit for a specific amount of time (varies by make/model/engine)."
"P201D: Mixture Format Self Adaptation (Fuel Trim)" Note: I did replace the $12 hose and the supercharger 6,000 miles ago. No MIL light since
"P2029 mixture format self adapt ion fuel trim"
P202A "CAN message traction system vehicle speed implausible"
P2054 "continuous camshaft adjustment, incorrect position of intake camshaft"
-Tad
Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 158
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
2019 GLC300 4matic, 2019 C300 4matic, 2018 C300 4matic, 2009 C300 Flex, 2004 C230 Kompressor
You are of course exactly correct. I didn't post expecting anyone to look up the codes. Honestly I hoped that the sudden onset of all three would trigger a response like "Oh the only thing that all three systems rely on is the TPS" or something similar.
Since it hasn't, here are the codes:
"A P0020 code refers to the VVT (variable valve timing) or VCT (variable camshaft timing) components and the car's PCM (powertrain control module). That consists of an oil control valve (OCV), also called a solenoid valve and other components. Basically the check engine light and associated P0020 trouble code means that the voltage in the circuit has fallen below a set limit for a specific amount of time (varies by make/model/engine)."
"P201D: Mixture Format Self Adaptation (Fuel Trim)" Note: I did replace the $12 hose and the supercharger 6,000 miles ago. No MIL light since
"P2029 mixture format self adapt ion fuel trim"
P202A "CAN message traction system vehicle speed implausible"
P2054 "continuous camshaft adjustment, incorrect position of intake camshaft"
-Tad
Since it hasn't, here are the codes:
"A P0020 code refers to the VVT (variable valve timing) or VCT (variable camshaft timing) components and the car's PCM (powertrain control module). That consists of an oil control valve (OCV), also called a solenoid valve and other components. Basically the check engine light and associated P0020 trouble code means that the voltage in the circuit has fallen below a set limit for a specific amount of time (varies by make/model/engine)."
"P201D: Mixture Format Self Adaptation (Fuel Trim)" Note: I did replace the $12 hose and the supercharger 6,000 miles ago. No MIL light since
"P2029 mixture format self adapt ion fuel trim"
P202A "CAN message traction system vehicle speed implausible"
P2054 "continuous camshaft adjustment, incorrect position of intake camshaft"
-Tad
Last edited by dboyrusky; Feb 27, 2017 at 02:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
160,000. I'll pull the valve cover and check the cam timing. Would that account for the ABS/ESP/BAS errors? It runs GREAT and pulls hard. I will believe that there is a timing chain problem, but I wouldn't have guessed that was the case.
-Tad
-Tad
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Follow-Up:
Using icarsoft I found that it was one of the sensors and the yaw sensor had an error. Replaced the sensor and got an ebay yaw sensor. No change. Figured at ~$30 each I'd do the rest. No change. Finally found that the inner wheel seal (there is no outer seal, FYI) was bad. $31 later and the codes are gone and traction control works again.
-Tad
Using icarsoft I found that it was one of the sensors and the yaw sensor had an error. Replaced the sensor and got an ebay yaw sensor. No change. Figured at ~$30 each I'd do the rest. No change. Finally found that the inner wheel seal (there is no outer seal, FYI) was bad. $31 later and the codes are gone and traction control works again.
-Tad
