I followed the instructions on how to activate "test mode" listed on this page - http://www.c32life.com/faq.htm - to no avail. I hold down the trip odometer reset button for well over a minute but it never beeps or allows me to navigate any optional menus.

Any tips?

I have spent a lot of time with the MB Star / DAS diagnostic system and there is nothing (that I can recall) readily available to perform this function. There are, however, specific screens that allow codes to be obtained from MB and entered for special functionality. Such as removing the limiter. It actively downloads the necessary software to perform the function.

I'm guessing that competely disabling ESP would be considered in the special category, but whether it's specifically available, I'm not sure. It's pretty cryptic as to what you can get codes for.

If anything, hopefully this helps you track down whether a specific access code exists, and a dealer that doesn't just shrug you off.

Those instructions are not quite right. Hold the reset button then push it three times fast. I know the same procedure works on the C230, the C32, the C55, and the E55. It probably works on others as well.

Also, if you put the car in dyno mode and drive it around, be prepared for your car to get stuck in second gear "limp home mode." This can easily be fixed by disabling dyno mode, and restarting the car.

This method has always worked for me, but I'm on 02, might be the difference.

Good luck with it and report whether the 3-times method works please.

I have a 2006 c350 sport and was able to deactivate the ESP and ABS at the same time. Turn your car to the first click. Should be in the Odometer screen. Hold the the reset button (3 seconds) and quickly press the reset button again 3 times and a screen will appear. The first screen is the voltage check screen. Scrolling up or down using your menu buttons will show you the vin number and versions or firmware you car will have. The ESP screen will appear. Should say something like ESP dynameter: ON or WIN.15mins. Use the + and - buttons to change it to ON. Now Start the car. ABS and ESP will be disable. This feature should work on all the 05 and up Mercedes. Have fun wasting your tires!

...just remove the big bulky 50amp fuse in the front SAM at position 54 or somewhere around there (there is only one big fuse there)...that completely kills ESP...and ASR....and ABS...and still lets you drive the car without any problems...

greetingz,

That's good to know

For the record...I did get it to work using the "press 3 times" method. Here's what I did:

I turned the key to position 1 and pressed the reset stalk 3 times quickly. This gave me the voltage diag screen. I was able to "menu" through and find that the Dyno mode was activated. I started the car and ABS/ESP and one other function (I forget the acronym at this moment) were all disabled. I tested this by pressing the throttle fully to the floor and holding it there

I did drive normally for about a mile with no negative effect. I then simply shut the car off (completely removed the key) and started it back up. It was then out of Dyno mode.

One other thing I noticed was that if I left the transmission in "D" it would not accelarate very hard through 1st and 2nd gear. It would short-shift and felt like it was only giving me 50% throttle. This could be because you don't typically dyno a car in 1st or 2nd gear and it was programmed to accelarate gently. When I manually selected the gears it behaved normally.

Also, while in this mode the ESP button on the center dash did nothing. The only indicator light that was lit up on my cluster was the (ABS) light informing me that the ABS system was not available. Also, the multi-function display had the optional voltage, dyno mode, etc. screens available.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to try all 3 modes (ESP on, ESP off with dash button, ESP off with dyno mode) the next time I autocross. I'm curious to see the results.