Display Malfunction, ABS and ESP failure/ can't get out of park
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 125
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Mercedes C55 AMG
Display Malfunction, ABS and ESP failure/ can't get out of park
My 05 c55 has 127k miles on it. Never experienced any electrical issues until now. When I start my car, I get display malf, abs failure, esp failure, And I can't get it out of park. I eventually, started it in neutral and drove it about 2 miles until i stalled out. I'm thinking there's possible corrosion on a shared ground for either the display system or somewhere in the canbus itself. I'm assuming it could be a ground due to the fact that multiple circuits are out and I'm getting a slide show of messages. As far as the car stalling out, I'm very confused. Has anyone had similar issues or know what this could be? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
-mike
-mike
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
Whoa, hadn't heard of that one before. I'd start in the engine bay and trunk looking for water drip marks; starting pulling connectors and go from there? If nothing, move to the firewall and look for broken rubber grommets? Sorry about not being more helpful.
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 241
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From: Edmonton
2003 C32 AMG
Sounds odd, but unfortunately the only surfire diagnostic is to tow it to the dealership and hook it up with a STAR computer... it will tell you immediately what the problem is..
Maybe try disconnecting the battery and resetting the ECU, might give you a clue.
Good luck
Maybe try disconnecting the battery and resetting the ECU, might give you a clue.
Good luck
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 125
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Mercedes C55 AMG
Luckily I have access to STAR at school, Im over here at UTI and MB training is actually on campus. So that should be a help. Thanks for the suggestions guys, I appreciate it. I'll keep everyone posted when I figure out what the issue is 
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
Mercedes C55 AMG
The problem seems to be intermittent, the break wear message, abs message and display malfunction popped up whilee I was at the light this morning, and instead of stalling out, I went into limp mode and couldn't leave second gear. Pulled over started the car and issue went away again. Still waiting to pull codes, I'll post em as soon as I get access to STAR
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,545
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From: Washington DC
1999 E320 4matic Wagon, 2005 C55 AMG - sold, 1998 VW Jetta TDI - sold, 2006 C230 Sport - Totaled :(
I realize this is an old thread, but this is exactly what's been happening to me lately. I hooked up my STAR yesterday and ran the diagnosis. No faults in the TCU. The ESP control unit shows one fault as a STORED fault, ABS/ESP module is defective. I can't imagine this module would go bad at 106k miles, but who knows? Going to try cleaning the electrical connectors at the front SAM and the module itself.
On Saturday, the car went into limp mode twice while driving, both times I just turned car off and restarted. Saturday evening after dinner, turned car on and got the messages immediately, turned off and on at least 5 times and had messages and couldn't shift out of park. Had to disconnect battery and reconnect to reset ECU so I could get home. While running diagnostics yesterday, it seems like car is fine idling for 15-20 mins and then eventually the warnings will come up, and then keep coming on each time car is restarted unless battery is disconnected to reset ECU.
Just wanted to share my experience and hopefully solution if I can find one soon.
On Saturday, the car went into limp mode twice while driving, both times I just turned car off and restarted. Saturday evening after dinner, turned car on and got the messages immediately, turned off and on at least 5 times and had messages and couldn't shift out of park. Had to disconnect battery and reconnect to reset ECU so I could get home. While running diagnostics yesterday, it seems like car is fine idling for 15-20 mins and then eventually the warnings will come up, and then keep coming on each time car is restarted unless battery is disconnected to reset ECU.
Just wanted to share my experience and hopefully solution if I can find one soon.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: SATX
'16 C63s
Hey mshields818, I had a very similar issue, don't know if you saw my post. The issue with mine turned out to be the gas pedal assembly/switch and corresponding SAM unit.
Here's the post
Here's the post
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Washington DC
1999 E320 4matic Wagon, 2005 C55 AMG - sold, 1998 VW Jetta TDI - sold, 2006 C230 Sport - Totaled :(
The gear shifter would cause the ABS/ESP and brake wear warnings to show up? Wouldn't it also throw a code in the ETC unit? STAR is pulling a code from the ESP unit saying the ESP module is defective. I'm not getting any codes from the ETC. Going to check the electrical connector for corrosion and clean it up.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1
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C55 Amg W203
Abs and Esp
My 05 c55 has 127k miles on it. Never experienced any electrical issues until now. When I start my car, I get display malf, abs failure, esp failure, And I can't get it out of park. I eventually, started it in neutral and drove it about 2 miles until i stalled out. I'm thinking there's possible corrosion on a shared ground for either the display system or somewhere in the canbus itself. I'm assuming it could be a ground due to the fact that multiple circuits are out and I'm getting a slide show of messages. As far as the car stalling out, I'm very confused. Has anyone had similar issues or know what this could be? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
-mike
-mike
Abs / esp offline and speedometer goes to 0. Gear selector light disappears
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 9
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From: Ft. Worth, Texas USA
'18 E300, '11 E350 Cabriolet, '06 C230
SAME Exact Issue As Reported in This Thread: Any Solutions Anyone??
Does anyone know of the answer to this dilemma?? My dealer is saying the fault is caused by a failed ESP module and that it needs to be replaced and that will resolve all of the same issues listed below and shown in the photo.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 380
Likes: 47
C55 AMG T with Kleemann K2 and some stuff: 414 hp and 562 Nm :-)
I´ve had that problem several times during my 12 years of ownership.
The ABS-module in the engine compartment was changed but the problem later came back.
The reason can be almost anything, you need a proper scan at the dealership to pin point the problem.
In my case it was bad connection between the ABS-module and the connector itself. When you loose the connector, be very careful
because it´s a bit tricky to loosen it, and fragile. Also once upon time there was a recall on this subject, -There is a ground connector close to the
module that need to be looked over, the recall suggested an extra washer there (!).
Regarding gears stuck in P in limp home-mode, there is a temporary solution to get going (in second): In the cupholder between the
seats there is a little hole under the small rubber carpet at the bottom (or was it in the compartment just behind?) Take a long screwdriver
and put it down the hole and push gently, and you will reach a flap deep down which make it possible to move the gearlever again.
If you don´t have a screwdriver at hand when it occurs, you can always tear up the plate surrounding the gearlever and you will clearly
se the flap and push it while you move the lever. The flap is white plastic.
The ABS-module in the engine compartment was changed but the problem later came back.
The reason can be almost anything, you need a proper scan at the dealership to pin point the problem.
In my case it was bad connection between the ABS-module and the connector itself. When you loose the connector, be very careful
because it´s a bit tricky to loosen it, and fragile. Also once upon time there was a recall on this subject, -There is a ground connector close to the
module that need to be looked over, the recall suggested an extra washer there (!).
Regarding gears stuck in P in limp home-mode, there is a temporary solution to get going (in second): In the cupholder between the
seats there is a little hole under the small rubber carpet at the bottom (or was it in the compartment just behind?) Take a long screwdriver
and put it down the hole and push gently, and you will reach a flap deep down which make it possible to move the gearlever again.
If you don´t have a screwdriver at hand when it occurs, you can always tear up the plate surrounding the gearlever and you will clearly
se the flap and push it while you move the lever. The flap is white plastic.
