When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Backed out of driveway too fast and braked, ESP warning light came on. Turned car off, restarted, ESP light came on after a few minutes. Next day, light did not come on all day. Used Launch scanner and got this error message: 5001 There is an internal fault in component "N30/4 (Electronic Stability Program control unit)". Cleared fault code and restarted car, rescanned, got same error message. Must I replace the control unit? Is it very expensive? Any advice would be much appreciated.
If it didnt I would not worry about it. I say this because I scan my car once in awhile for fun and I have seen the same 5001 N30/4 code before. It showed as stored.
ESP is one hell of a provider of timing chaos - Many nearly all chassis modules query wheel speed from ESP: ECU, TCU, EPS, ISM, SCM, even headlights modules do.
Bosch ESP is a state of the art VIP module that impacts the entire chassis performance silently without fault from day-1.
Solderless connection are undersized to develop poor then really poor connections under coil pulsed current spikes.
parting control side
away under 5mn
Loose pins collection 👏
engineered to be reliable for some time
PCB overall birds eye view
loose pin opportunities
input pins
soldered and coated better than new
going back in
installing
back home... sealed forever.
If you can't solder electronics, choices are limited to coding a used or new solderless unit.
The solderless pins are nearly ok except under perfect-storm conditions when CAN bandwidth is degraded.
> Free Temporary Fix...
While ESP transient faults are in "stored" status you can try to Reboot whole chassis and ensure good chassis voltage.
Crazy ESP module has the potential to trigger unexpected "limp modes" and braking issues when it bugs out the ECU/TCU...
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Nov 20, 2024 at 05:58 PM.
I think mine sets off the code when im on the highway and the abs light will turn on and off quickly going over bumps like over passes. Ive seen the code maybe twice, no check engine light, and im able to erase it no problem.
I think mine sets off the code when im on the highway and the abs light will turn on and off quickly going over bumps like over passes. Ive seen the code maybe twice, no check engine light, and im able to erase it no problem.
it's getting ready for a special day...
Try to do a light tap-tapping on the front case with scanner connected to see how bad is that single connection hidden in the whole collection of pressed-pins.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Nov 20, 2024 at 06:27 PM.
Im finally getting the two ABS and Power steering warnings pop up consistently. Saturday night when leaving the gas station the two warnings came on, went home and scanned and erased the codes. past two days the warning show up after driving over 15mph.
From searching around it seems a used esp control unit can be installed but the VIN has to be changed to match the car. Is the Launch obd scanner capable of changing the VIN, in the description it claims ecu coding? I tried with my Foxwell NT530 and it does not seem to have that feature, it shows me the VIN but no option to change/update it. I dont think it can code at all. Wonder if someone with a Launch can check, see if it will let you change the vin in the ESP.
I came across one thread where the person with a W204 replaced the ESP unit with a used one, short story he claims after a few days everything worked and no more warnings.
The car drives great, power steering feels fine, brakes feel fine. Only has one fault code 5001 for the ESP Internal fault. All the related sensors appear to be functioning, tpms, wheel speed, yaw.
- 1- Tim, have you physically inspected your ABS/ESP Module connector ?
Just removing & reinserting it can either help clean oxidized connections or hurt loose pressed pins... a free lottery: .
- 2- Do clean the nearby GND post at under chassis beam with all batteries disconnected.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Sep 29, 2025 at 07:43 PM.
Thats my next step, remove and clean the connector going to it. I currently have my Noco Genius 5 hooked up charging the battery, see if that does something.
I find it odd how the 5001 code always says Stored. Ill hook up the scanner as the car is still running, id expect the code to say Stored and Current.
Right now i'm planning for the worst, either buy used and try to get it to work. Or more likely send this esp module out to be repaired.
I came across a youtube video of someone changing the VIN of the module but it was with a $1,000+ Autel scanner. Im trying to see if the $150 Launch can do it.
This is why im wondering if the Launch Creader can change the vin on a used ESP module. This is the description from the $150 one on Amazon, $108 on AliExpress.
Well now the warnings stopped popping up. I was so used to hearing them come on that I was surprised to NOT hear them. Im not thinking or saying its "fixed" its just strange.
I think its safe to say at least the circuit board inside isnt fried with solder melted all over the place.
I have been seeing that 5001 fault code since I had the car basically. I remember 3yrs ago I got in my car and was driving to get the yearly inspection sticker when the warnings popped up for the first time. i drove home and got my generic obd scanner and read and erased the codes. The warnings popped up again at least two more times and I pulled over in a parkinglot to erase them. Finally they stopped coming on so i went to get it inspected and passed no problem. Since then I never saw the warnings until last week.
Maybe I need to drive the car more, clear out all the bugs literally.
I got gas again today and started the car two times after that driving to stores when the warnings stopped showing. The warnings first started last week right after getting gas. Is there any connection, doubt it. Just find that a coincidence.
I got used to getting ESP/Pre-Safe faults since first month brand new all the way throughout extended warranty.
Every other week.... beep-beep with good-luck message.
Selling MB dealer insisted everything was ok. Eventually I got concerned for my own safety.
I figured how transient faults are designed around unstable networking. It's Mercedes grade feature, not a single condition.
The long story short is to indulge in chassis reboot + battery float while unplugged.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Oct 5, 2025 at 01:55 AM.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
.
