New to me 2002 C32 "silver" 127k and esp malfunction
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2002 C32
New to me 2002 C32 "silver" 127k and esp malfunction
I bought this car at auction and it is in good condition however the esp is malfunctioning. So far there are no effect on the cars driveability, but having done some searching looks like there are numerous possible causes can this be narrowed down to something specific? When I got the car the battery was near dead and it has now been replaced however the message remains. Over the years I have had all of the C amg cars with exception of the 63 including a 16v. Looking forward to some seat time in the 32. Also the lower bumper inserts are missing all 3 of them any idea where to find a cheap set?
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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 :(
If you reset the ECU and the message is still there, it's a 99.9% chance it's one of the wheel speed sensors. The ESP/ABS module is one and the same, and they work off the speed sensors.
I had this issue last year. My front right wheel speed sensor went bad so I got ESP and ABS malfunction messages. Hooked it up to a STAR and it told me front right wheel speed sensor was bad.
If you don't have a star, you can test them with a multimeter and measure resistance. This is kind of a PITA as you will have to take each wheel off to get to the sensors and test them, but hey it's better than paying the dealer $100 just to run a STAR for you.
I found a pretty good video explaining how to test them measuring resistance:
They should give you some value for resistance when you hook up the leads, probably not too high. If the value is really high or it keeps rising as the guy in the video shows, then that's the bad sensor.
I had this issue last year. My front right wheel speed sensor went bad so I got ESP and ABS malfunction messages. Hooked it up to a STAR and it told me front right wheel speed sensor was bad.
If you don't have a star, you can test them with a multimeter and measure resistance. This is kind of a PITA as you will have to take each wheel off to get to the sensors and test them, but hey it's better than paying the dealer $100 just to run a STAR for you.
I found a pretty good video explaining how to test them measuring resistance:
They should give you some value for resistance when you hook up the leads, probably not too high. If the value is really high or it keeps rising as the guy in the video shows, then that's the bad sensor.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 36
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2002 C32
Cool thanks for the help. I probably would pay to have it hooked up just since it is new to me and see what else is about to blow. BUT, I drove it a couple of times today and it is no longer displaying a malfunction. Maybe it was the battery????
Been awhile since I have been behind the wheel of an AMG car, these things are so great! : )
Been awhile since I have been behind the wheel of an AMG car, these things are so great! : )
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 6
From: Washington DC
1999 E320 4matic Wagon, 2005 C55 AMG - sold, 1998 VW Jetta TDI - sold, 2006 C230 Sport - Totaled :(
Cool thanks for the help. I probably would pay to have it hooked up just since it is new to me and see what else is about to blow. BUT, I drove it a couple of times today and it is no longer displaying a malfunction. Maybe it was the battery????
Been awhile since I have been behind the wheel of an AMG car, these things are so great! : )
Been awhile since I have been behind the wheel of an AMG car, these things are so great! : )
