esl/eis locking system
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
2008 mercedes c300
esl/eis locking system
hey, so I recently bought a 2008 c300 and it has about 95,000 miles on it. I was doing some research on this model and I found out that it has some troubles with the esl/eis sometimes. even though I knew this, I went ahead and bought it because it was in near mint condition and a good price. now, is there a way to prevent/prolong the esl/eis failure? should I switch it out right now and save the chance of me being stranded somewhere? advice on this is greatly appreciated!
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 604
Likes: 29
From: SA
2008 C350-Sport-AMG-Active Agility Pack(Not reliable) +Izuzu KB6 3L(It seems Reliable)+Mazda
Merc Sudden-Death:
Man my 1st thought would be if it has not been replaced (ESL) it may fail and leave you stranded, and may turn into a safety issue depending in which country you live.
What I noticed(not) but realised afterwards, was that the sound it made when you insert the key sounded slower, so after my cars ESL was replaced I immediately noticed it sounds faster(I got used to the slower sound over some time).
Maybe you can compare with a similar model or newer year how it sounds, I may be wrong but if it sounds slower its probably time.
This ordeal totally destroyed my faith in this car. My other vehicles it never cross my mind that it may drop me dead on the next trip without warnings.My next new vehicle was not a Mercedes as a result.
It boggles me a bit that the complicated auto gearbox lasted longer than a simple straightforward ESL switch mechanism, wonders who manufactured it-? Mercedes engineers I won't forget this one, My beautifull new car on a flatbead in front of a whole lot of customers to a shopping centre(25Million km's of testing).
Man my 1st thought would be if it has not been replaced (ESL) it may fail and leave you stranded, and may turn into a safety issue depending in which country you live.
What I noticed(not) but realised afterwards, was that the sound it made when you insert the key sounded slower, so after my cars ESL was replaced I immediately noticed it sounds faster(I got used to the slower sound over some time).
Maybe you can compare with a similar model or newer year how it sounds, I may be wrong but if it sounds slower its probably time.
This ordeal totally destroyed my faith in this car. My other vehicles it never cross my mind that it may drop me dead on the next trip without warnings.My next new vehicle was not a Mercedes as a result.
It boggles me a bit that the complicated auto gearbox lasted longer than a simple straightforward ESL switch mechanism, wonders who manufactured it-? Mercedes engineers I won't forget this one, My beautifull new car on a flatbead in front of a whole lot of customers to a shopping centre(25Million km's of testing).
Last edited by Moto_Guzzi; Jul 1, 2019 at 05:11 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2010 C300 Sport Sedan just hit 89k miles 6-2019
just happened to me. nightmare. stranded. cost me 1500$. I had to get an auto repair
this just happened to me 3 weeks ago. I had to get towed. it would not start even with a jumper box. I watched youtube to see what it could be. I live in Maryland and everywhere I called they said they cannot fix it because MB would no longer sell the part because it is an anti-theft part. I did not have enough money so I asked the dealership what can I possible do. They told me there are companies th at have small auto repair loans. Thank goodness I have been paying my bills on time because I was approved. The dealership keyed in the repair amount and then I had to go in and approve the amount. It would have sat another month until I got the money. My car has 90k miles and it's a 2010. I bought it in 2015 and it had about 44k miles on it. I cant wait to finish paying it off. not buying another one. gigi
hey, so I recently bought a 2008 c300 and it has about 95,000 miles on it. I was doing some research on this model and I found out that it has some troubles with the esl/eis sometimes. even though I knew this, I went ahead and bought it because it was in near mint condition and a good price. now, is there a way to prevent/prolong the esl/eis failure? should I switch it out right now and save the chance of me being stranded somewhere? advice on this is greatly appreciated!
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
2008 C300
Only one of the failures I have experienced gave any indication it was on it's way out. It's not a question of if it will fail it's when it will. I just bought another c250 with 60k and I am going to go ahead and do it.
I have done several of these and found it easier to just pull the column out. My experience is that the nut is very difficult to remove and replace blind. It can be done by turning the column assembly but to do that you have to remove the front and rear bolts so you might as well just pull the shaft out. This repair is really very easy to do and I can now do it in less than an hour.
I will say that after a failed first attempt to replace the motor I now just use the emulator and have it programmed to the car. This eliminates any possibility of it failing again.
Here's the guide which indicates that it can be done without removing the column.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Mercedes-W204/101-ELEC-Electronic_Steering_Lock_Replacement/101-ELEC-Electronic_Steering_Lock_Replacement.htm
I have done several of these and found it easier to just pull the column out. My experience is that the nut is very difficult to remove and replace blind. It can be done by turning the column assembly but to do that you have to remove the front and rear bolts so you might as well just pull the shaft out. This repair is really very easy to do and I can now do it in less than an hour.
I will say that after a failed first attempt to replace the motor I now just use the emulator and have it programmed to the car. This eliminates any possibility of it failing again.
Here's the guide which indicates that it can be done without removing the column.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Mercedes-W204/101-ELEC-Electronic_Steering_Lock_Replacement/101-ELEC-Electronic_Steering_Lock_Replacement.htm
Last edited by Roush2fast; Jul 8, 2019 at 01:28 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 705
Likes: 55
From: LA LA Land
'08 C300 MM Pano
The $20 motors that sell on Amazon and elsewhere are similar to (if not the same as) the "cheap Chinese motors" that were first blamed for the ESL issue... So replacing an otherwise described cheap motor with another cheap motor that costs $20 isn't going to magically make the alleged problem disappear.
I will also add that it is my opinion that the ESL/EIS issue is extremely exaggerated simply due to the fact that it is an expensive repair as well as the fact that said failure has owners creeped out that they are bound to get stranded somewhere where the boogie man is going to get them. Yes, it is a "known problem" however, just because it is a W204 does not imply imminent EIS/ESL failure.
I will also add that it is my opinion that the ESL/EIS issue is extremely exaggerated simply due to the fact that it is an expensive repair as well as the fact that said failure has owners creeped out that they are bound to get stranded somewhere where the boogie man is going to get them. Yes, it is a "known problem" however, just because it is a W204 does not imply imminent EIS/ESL failure.
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 565
From: Milwaukee, WI
2010 C300 4MATIC........ 2011 C63 AMG.............. 2015 CLS400 4MATIC.....
The $20 motors that sell on Amazon and elsewhere are similar to (if not the same as) the "cheap Chinese motors" that were first blamed for the ESL issue... So replacing an otherwise described cheap motor with another cheap motor that costs $20 isn't going to magically make the alleged problem disappear.
I will also add that it is my opinion that the ESL/EIS issue is extremely exaggerated simply due to the fact that it is an expensive repair as well as the fact that said failure has owners creeped out that they are bound to get stranded somewhere where the boogie man is going to get them. Yes, it is a "known problem" however, just because it is a W204 does not imply imminent EIS/ESL failure.
I will also add that it is my opinion that the ESL/EIS issue is extremely exaggerated simply due to the fact that it is an expensive repair as well as the fact that said failure has owners creeped out that they are bound to get stranded somewhere where the boogie man is going to get them. Yes, it is a "known problem" however, just because it is a W204 does not imply imminent EIS/ESL failure.
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