tooputts

This is my first post on MBWorld. I purchased my 2003 C32 last November. I love the car. Perfect blend of performance, handling and practicality. In March I experienced a ESP Warning and loss of power, which I learned Mercedes calls the "limp home mode". This problem has occured five times in three months, each time followed by a visit to the dealer. They have had the car for a total of 30 days. Everytime they said they could not find what was causing the ESP problem. Finally in June Mercedes agreed to replace the car. I now have a new C32. I cannot beleive it but the same ESP problem is happening with the new car. Once at 240 miles and now just this evening with 750 miles. I am driving down the road and all of a sudden the ESP warning is displayed on the screen and the car loses power and goes in the "limp home mode". After stoping turning the car off and restarting full power is restored. Has anyone else had this problem? What the heck is going on. I am off to the dealer tomorrow. I just got my car back from the dealer. They were able to duplicate the ESP warning but not the Limp Home Mode. Again they have told me they do not know what is causing the problem. Please respond if you have had similar problems with your C32.

kaneman

Never had that problem with the C32, but I'm curious WHERE it's happening? Is it the same place or around the same area every time? Are any military installations nearby? You wouldn't believe what radar and other high powered transmissions can do to a car (at the airport my C32 key would NOT remote unlock the car depending on where I parked in the lot) and it's electronics.

Bux

wow same problem again with another c32 ...no one has ever posted this kind of problem. i bet it might be the dealers techs messing stuff up.

On Pole

I have had this problem. The computer records the error codes. Have your dealed pull the codes. The dealer should report the codes to MB. MB just came up with a fix. My car has done this about 5 times in 56k miles of hard driving.

tooputts

My ESP Limp Home Mode problem, has happened three times while driving past Tampa International Airport. My dealer does suspect some type of outside interference. And has asked me to keep record of locations of occurrences. The last three times and the two with my new C32, where far from any airport. They occur under normal driving, usually 30 to 50 mph. Well I have the car back now a week and no problems, I have my figures crossed.

JJM

Same problem here. Strange it didnt happen with my 2002 (which had many other issues) but now happens with my 2003. Dealer has reproduced it and are in the process of ordering a new ME control unit but its on back order. Should be here soon so we'll see if that fixes the problem.

Jon Winter

MB advises the dealers to change the ECU and Throtle Valve Actuator. I'm not ready to change my Renntech programed ECU.

Here are the error codes:P2032
P207
P202E
P203B
P202S

rage2

The codes reported at my visit were :

CODE P2001 COMPONENT N15/3 ETC CONTROL IS FAULTY

CODE 2312 CAN COMMUNICATION WITH THE ENGINE SYSTEM IS FAULTY OR ENGINE TEMPERATURE IS IMPLAUSIBLE

NO OTHER CODES FOR ME-SFI

Bux

then i bet the same tech built all your engines:p

tooputts

Well I thought the last visit to the dealer finally fixed my ESP/Limp Home problems. It just happened again. With 2096 miles my 2003 C32 had its third ESP/Limp Home. This time I was accelerating after breaking. speed approximately 20 MPH. I pulled over turned the engine off and then restarted, and regain power. Well it's off to the dealer on Monday.

AMGDood

I had the same problem once too..dealer fixed easily.

tooputts

Hey AMGDood

You are lucky, having the dealer fix your ESP/Limp Home Mode problem with one try. It has taken the dealer eight tries and I still have the problem.

I have noted a few other C32 owners with similar problems. It does not seem wide spread, but my dealer after many calls to Germany still cannot find the answer.

I am at my wits end.

If you can please post what the dealer did to fix your car.

Thanks

JJM

My car is in with the dealer today to try to fix this problem. I think they are swapping out the ECU as directed from MB. Will let you know if this fixes the problem.

On Pole

This problem has me thinking of trading my car for a racecar. It has happend twice this past weekend. MB said that the fix is a new ECU and Throttle Body Accuator. My issue is that I don't have a stock ECU. I'm sure Renntech will work with my on this issue.

tooputts

It happened again. ESP/Limp Home Mode. Second time in six days and forth time with this C32. Yesterday I was driving about 50 mph, the ESP warning came on and the car went into the Limp Home Mode. I pulled over turned the car off and restarted to reset computer. Again I was out in the country. I think this puts to rest the idea airport radar is causing the problem. I have noted on this chat site, reports of similar problems with the SL55. It is my opinion MB has a glitch with thier AMG computers

JJM

I finally got my car back from the dealer after the ECU swap and was very hopeful the problem would be fixed. However, driving home that night the same problem happened again. The car will be back to the dealer this week - they have no idea what the problem is now and are in contact with MB. This is their last chance. This is nearly the end of the road for me with MB. Having already had 1 C32 lemon, its beginning to look like the 2nd one is headed that way too. Very, very disappointed and disillusioned with MB products. Love the C32 (thats why I gave it the chance with the second one) but I guess at some point I have to say enough is enough.

If, by some miracle the problem gets fixed this time , I'll let you know what they did to fix it.