ESP Malfunction See Owners Manual
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2013 C63
ESP Malfunction See Owners Manual
Hi all
Bought a C63 a few weeks ago and absolutely enjoying ownership. Far superior car to my 997.
The other day the ESP malfunction notification and ESP off warning lights came on on my way out for lunch. They stayed on for the rest of the trip (about 20minutes). After lunch, i started the car and it stayed on but went away after about 5 minutes so i thought no big deal.
However this morning the malfunction and warning lights came back on again and haven't gone away since. The car seems to be handling normally and there is no issues with driving. Does anyone have any experience with this? What has caused it and how can I reset it? Is this an expensive fix?
Bought a C63 a few weeks ago and absolutely enjoying ownership. Far superior car to my 997.
The other day the ESP malfunction notification and ESP off warning lights came on on my way out for lunch. They stayed on for the rest of the trip (about 20minutes). After lunch, i started the car and it stayed on but went away after about 5 minutes so i thought no big deal.
However this morning the malfunction and warning lights came back on again and haven't gone away since. The car seems to be handling normally and there is no issues with driving. Does anyone have any experience with this? What has caused it and how can I reset it? Is this an expensive fix?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,165
Likes: 59
C63 AMG P30 *EuroCharged*| Porsche Cayenne | Buell XB9SX
Could be a dirty or fouled wheel sensor. Try spraying them off with a high pressure hose. I had the same problem (along with the "no abs" and no power steering), and it hasn't come back for a long time after washing. Of course, I have now probably jinxed myself.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 66
From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
Also do a reset. This is counter intuitive but with the key on turn the wheels left to full stop, then back to the right to full stop and repeat. Turn off ignition.
Strange things can happen when you do this that make no sense but I have seen this work on too many issues with too many cars to discount it.
Strange things can happen when you do this that make no sense but I have seen this work on too many issues with too many cars to discount it.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Thousand Oaks, California
2009 W211 & 2014 W212 & 2006 F150
Hello Folks, a lot of good information here.
Here is my problem and hope resolution:2009 Mercedes W211 (E350) Dash Code ESP Inoperative See Owner’s Manual, Traction Control Light on in Dash display
Symptoms: out of the blue, Car would only drive about 5 miles per hour and engine was pulsing. Tried to Turn the ESP switch on or off with no luck and Had to limp the car home.
Lucky it was only about 4-5 blocks away.
The Internet Mechanic – Shade tree Mechanic saga began.
I first did research and built a list of possible problems and started with the easiest first.
My old ODB did not show any codes on this year make and model and not sure if it will due to the fact car is borderline Can Bus.
Anyway, I tried to number what I was going to do but ultimately what I did in blue.
ESP Inoperative See Owner’s Manual - You Tube
4) ESP Inoperable FIX 430A00 brake switch replacement - No
Mercedes ESP Inoperable - See owners manual - how to fix step by step guide. You will need to get the MB V1.0 kit as shown in this link.
http://www.diagnostic-world.com/pages
The MB V1.0 kit as shown in this video is available here.
http://www.diagnostic-world.com/pages/iCarsoft_MB_V1_0_Mercedes_Sprinter_Smart_Multi_Sys tem_Diagnostic_Reset_Tool_Engine_ABS_Airbags_Oil_R eset__189133-z=563774&p=129635.cfm
5) If you changed the brake-light switch and still see ESP-INOPERABLE, next find out which and change the wheel ABS-SENSOR, they're behind the wheel on the top-ceiling of under-body and they look like a foot-long wire with 1 end bolted to body and other end plugged in.-No
6) Wheel Speed Sensor, Possibly dirty or fouled. Try air to clean. - No
7) ABS Sensor- No
1) Battery Failing or Under Voltage, Possibly Charging system. Tested good !!! both -Yes
2) TPMS - Tire Pressure Sensors, Check all tire Pressure. - Yes
Tire Pressures were off, 1 of 4 tires was over inflated causing possible problems with “Tire Speed sensor”
3) Reset System by turning steering wheel full left and Hold to 5 seconds then full right and hold 5 full seconds, Repeat steps several times and Turn off car - Yes
Start Car ESP and Traction light out, perform a test drive. no problems. Yes
It was crazy, I am not 100% convinced it's not the break peddle. I possibly cleared the problem after tapping the peddle several times intermittently during this process but the problem should surface again if that is the case.
I want to thank all from MB World the forums are great source and You Tube world.
Looser.
Here is my problem and hope resolution:2009 Mercedes W211 (E350) Dash Code ESP Inoperative See Owner’s Manual, Traction Control Light on in Dash display
Symptoms: out of the blue, Car would only drive about 5 miles per hour and engine was pulsing. Tried to Turn the ESP switch on or off with no luck and Had to limp the car home.
Lucky it was only about 4-5 blocks away.
The Internet Mechanic – Shade tree Mechanic saga began.
I first did research and built a list of possible problems and started with the easiest first.
My old ODB did not show any codes on this year make and model and not sure if it will due to the fact car is borderline Can Bus.
Anyway, I tried to number what I was going to do but ultimately what I did in blue.
ESP Inoperative See Owner’s Manual - You Tube
4) ESP Inoperable FIX 430A00 brake switch replacement - No
Mercedes ESP Inoperable - See owners manual - how to fix step by step guide. You will need to get the MB V1.0 kit as shown in this link.
http://www.diagnostic-world.com/pages
The MB V1.0 kit as shown in this video is available here.
http://www.diagnostic-world.com/pages/iCarsoft_MB_V1_0_Mercedes_Sprinter_Smart_Multi_Sys tem_Diagnostic_Reset_Tool_Engine_ABS_Airbags_Oil_R eset__189133-z=563774&p=129635.cfm
5) If you changed the brake-light switch and still see ESP-INOPERABLE, next find out which and change the wheel ABS-SENSOR, they're behind the wheel on the top-ceiling of under-body and they look like a foot-long wire with 1 end bolted to body and other end plugged in.-No
6) Wheel Speed Sensor, Possibly dirty or fouled. Try air to clean. - No
7) ABS Sensor- No
1) Battery Failing or Under Voltage, Possibly Charging system. Tested good !!! both -Yes
2) TPMS - Tire Pressure Sensors, Check all tire Pressure. - Yes
Tire Pressures were off, 1 of 4 tires was over inflated causing possible problems with “Tire Speed sensor”
3) Reset System by turning steering wheel full left and Hold to 5 seconds then full right and hold 5 full seconds, Repeat steps several times and Turn off car - Yes
Start Car ESP and Traction light out, perform a test drive. no problems. Yes
It was crazy, I am not 100% convinced it's not the break peddle. I possibly cleared the problem after tapping the peddle several times intermittently during this process but the problem should surface again if that is the case.
I want to thank all from MB World the forums are great source and You Tube world.
Looser.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Thousand Oaks, California
2009 W211 & 2014 W212 & 2006 F150
I am Still watching and considering the Battery Voltage as well, Tested good but On the edge of Under Voltage 12.6 Standing Voltage. Mercedes are freaks when it comes to Batteries.
They are Battery Killers.
and some Mercedes take between 2 to 3 Batteries.
Best to place a battery and connect to the 12VDC bus before replacing any of them. I use the OBD test Plug port and introduce the 12VDC there while swapping batteries.
I have lost all memory and had to re program components, sort of a pain.
I am looking forward to finding and fixing the problem for good and not the mistory of WTF, was it this or that or is it really fixed. time will tell.
Thank You Cwagon
They are Battery Killers.
and some Mercedes take between 2 to 3 Batteries.
Best to place a battery and connect to the 12VDC bus before replacing any of them. I use the OBD test Plug port and introduce the 12VDC there while swapping batteries.
I have lost all memory and had to re program components, sort of a pain.
I am looking forward to finding and fixing the problem for good and not the mistory of WTF, was it this or that or is it really fixed. time will tell.
Thank You Cwagon
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Thousand Oaks, California
2009 W211 & 2014 W212 & 2006 F150
Alex.currie44 "Also do a reset. This is counter intuitive but with the key on turn the wheels left to full stop, then back to the right to full stop and repeat. Turn off ignition.
Strange things can happen when you do this that make no sense but I have seen this work on too many issues with too many cars to discount it."
I believe your onto something here Sir, I cant pinpoint it to this for sure but it did coincide with two other things I was trying. 1) Under Battery Voltage and 2) Tire Pressure Monitors or TPMS tire pressure was not consistent. but after the 3) Reset all was better.
Thanks for the tip.
Strange things can happen when you do this that make no sense but I have seen this work on too many issues with too many cars to discount it."
I believe your onto something here Sir, I cant pinpoint it to this for sure but it did coincide with two other things I was trying. 1) Under Battery Voltage and 2) Tire Pressure Monitors or TPMS tire pressure was not consistent. but after the 3) Reset all was better.
Thanks for the tip.
Last edited by Looser; May 30, 2022 at 01:13 PM. Reason: Reply to Alex.currie44
