W215 CL500 abs / ESP warning lights and ignition issues
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2004 c215 cl500
W215 CL500 abs / ESP warning lights and ignition issues
Hi - thought I would repay the favour of posting a solution to an issue I investigated on this site as a guest. Bought my second CL500 2 months ago and after getting the ABC pump replaced 2 weeks into ownership using a non manufacturer warranty ( essential investment in an 8 year old CL !!) it began to refuse to start on turning the key and then displayed ABS/ESP warning lights. After a bit of googling and a few visits to the excellent MB specialists Creevy Motors on Ballygowan Rd in Belfast they discovered the brake light switch was faulty and it was throwing up the faults through the CAN / EIS electronics !!
A much cheaper solution than I thought possible bearing in mind the warning lights it was triggering so thought it worthwhile to post this solution for future puzzled CL owners to investigate !
A much cheaper solution than I thought possible bearing in mind the warning lights it was triggering so thought it worthwhile to post this solution for future puzzled CL owners to investigate !
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Yes, the brake light switch does go bad and will cause these issues. I forgot about it until Iain's post.
If you search the forum you will find many people that have had this issue.
I wonder if this simple and inexpensive fix would rectify your ABS/BAS/ESP issue.
The No authority to Start is not an issue with a bad brake light switch, however, not seeing you standing on the brake pedal is and therefore lockouts the starter motor.
If you search the forum you will find many people that have had this issue.
I wonder if this simple and inexpensive fix would rectify your ABS/BAS/ESP issue.
The No authority to Start is not an issue with a bad brake light switch, however, not seeing you standing on the brake pedal is and therefore lockouts the starter motor.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: West Sussex
Mercedes CL500
Brake Pedal Switch
I have changed the stop light s/w on the brake pedal, and it seems to have fixed all my engine starting problems. Best £20 I ever spent.
Thanks to you guys for suggesting it.
Thanks to you guys for suggesting it.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
c215
Simpleton here! Just changed the brake light switch on my c215 (06). Was tricky to get to but very possible. I had eps and abs lights come on on the dash after several minutes driving and brake lights remaining on even when not pressing brakes. Changing the switch solved all. Happy days.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
2003 cl500
ABS, ESP and BAS warning lights
Hi all,
New owner of '03 cl500 here. I was working on the car the other day, testing some fuses as my passenger side door intermittently loses power (only when car is running) with the battery disconnected. After reconnecting the battery 3 warning messages were triggered; ESP malfunction, ABS malfunction and BAS malfunction. All working fine before with no issues.
What could this error be, I've seen plenty of messages about the brake light switch being the source but not sure this could be it as my brake lights don't stay on after I remove my foot from the brake. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Edit: car still shifts into gear, drives and does not go into limp mode, just no abs, esp or bas.
New owner of '03 cl500 here. I was working on the car the other day, testing some fuses as my passenger side door intermittently loses power (only when car is running) with the battery disconnected. After reconnecting the battery 3 warning messages were triggered; ESP malfunction, ABS malfunction and BAS malfunction. All working fine before with no issues.
What could this error be, I've seen plenty of messages about the brake light switch being the source but not sure this could be it as my brake lights don't stay on after I remove my foot from the brake. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Edit: car still shifts into gear, drives and does not go into limp mode, just no abs, esp or bas.
Last edited by Lpm03; Dec 31, 2024 at 11:10 AM.
Trending Topics
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
c215
Hi all,
New owner of '03 cl500 here. I was working on the car the other day, testing some fuses as my passenger side door intermittently loses power (only when car is running) with the battery disconnected. After reconnecting the battery 3 warning messages were triggered; ESP malfunction, ABS malfunction and BAS malfunction. All working fine before with no issues.
What could this error be, I've seen plenty of messages about the brake light switch being the source but not sure this could be it as my brake lights don't stay on after I remove my foot from the brake. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Edit: car still shifts into gear, drives and does not go into limp mode, just no abs, esp or bas.
New owner of '03 cl500 here. I was working on the car the other day, testing some fuses as my passenger side door intermittently loses power (only when car is running) with the battery disconnected. After reconnecting the battery 3 warning messages were triggered; ESP malfunction, ABS malfunction and BAS malfunction. All working fine before with no issues.
What could this error be, I've seen plenty of messages about the brake light switch being the source but not sure this could be it as my brake lights don't stay on after I remove my foot from the brake. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Edit: car still shifts into gear, drives and does not go into limp mode, just no abs, esp or bas.
As for the door loosing power- the wiring looms in these are susceptible to fraying and breaking due to the double hinged door. Most likely frayed cables. Very manageable repair for a regular person. obvs careful of electricity and all that.
I have repaired many cables in both doors, replaced the abc suspension with yellow speed coilovers and replaced the plastic switch in the gear shifter. Let me know if you have any questions on any of that. I think these are the most common issues on these
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
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
2003 cl500
Thanks for getting back to me.
Just bought a diagnostic tool, arriving early next week so will try and clear the fault codes then. I'll keep you updated!
With the door, we've tried to rewire it 3 times and no luck, and after consulting a local garage they've said it may be a faulty ignition relay switch. I'm going to look at the fuse box diagram to see which one it may be, have you heard of an issue like this before?
Just bought a diagnostic tool, arriving early next week so will try and clear the fault codes then. I'll keep you updated!
With the door, we've tried to rewire it 3 times and no luck, and after consulting a local garage they've said it may be a faulty ignition relay switch. I'm going to look at the fuse box diagram to see which one it may be, have you heard of an issue like this before?
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
c215
Thanks for getting back to me.
Just bought a diagnostic tool, arriving early next week so will try and clear the fault codes then. I'll keep you updated!
With the door, we've tried to rewire it 3 times and no luck, and after consulting a local garage they've said it may be a faulty ignition relay switch. I'm going to look at the fuse box diagram to see which one it may be, have you heard of an issue like this before?
Just bought a diagnostic tool, arriving early next week so will try and clear the fault codes then. I'll keep you updated!
With the door, we've tried to rewire it 3 times and no luck, and after consulting a local garage they've said it may be a faulty ignition relay switch. I'm going to look at the fuse box diagram to see which one it may be, have you heard of an issue like this before?
Next problem for me to address is non functional sunroof. Hoping it’s as simple as a fuse but I fear it may be the motor
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
2003 cl500
Hi,
Just checked the warning lights with the icarsoft v2.0 diagnostic tool and tried clearing them. Bad news, they didn't. I seem to have an issue with the bosch ABS unit.
The error I'm getting is:
- C1401-007: A7/3m1 (High pressure and return pump) does not switch off
Would this be a faulty component in need of replacement? Or is it a bad relay? I'm tempted to try the relay first, if that works it would explain why the error tripped when I was fiddling with the fuse boxes in the engine bay.
Any progress with the sunroof?
Edit:
I'm more and more convinced that relay K25 has gone bad, it would explain why this all triggered after i fiddled with the fuses. Additionally, the ABS light hasn't been triggered since i purchased the vehicle and the (reasonably) low mileage would suggest that the brushes in the ABS system are unlikely to have gone bad. I may just be waffling but that's my view. And the lights are now permanently on, always on startup.
Just checked the warning lights with the icarsoft v2.0 diagnostic tool and tried clearing them. Bad news, they didn't. I seem to have an issue with the bosch ABS unit.
The error I'm getting is:
- C1401-007: A7/3m1 (High pressure and return pump) does not switch off
Would this be a faulty component in need of replacement? Or is it a bad relay? I'm tempted to try the relay first, if that works it would explain why the error tripped when I was fiddling with the fuse boxes in the engine bay.
Any progress with the sunroof?
Edit:
I'm more and more convinced that relay K25 has gone bad, it would explain why this all triggered after i fiddled with the fuses. Additionally, the ABS light hasn't been triggered since i purchased the vehicle and the (reasonably) low mileage would suggest that the brushes in the ABS system are unlikely to have gone bad. I may just be waffling but that's my view. And the lights are now permanently on, always on startup.
Last edited by Lpm03; Jan 6, 2025 at 08:49 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
2003 cl500
Hi,
Just checked the warning lights with the icarsoft v2.0 diagnostic tool and tried clearing them. Bad news, they didn't. I seem to have an issue with the bosch ABS unit.
The error I'm getting is:
- C1401-007: A7/3m1 (High pressure and return pump) does not switch off
Would this be a faulty component in need of replacement? Or is it a bad relay? I'm tempted to try the relay first, if that works it would explain why the error tripped when I was fiddling with the fuse boxes in the engine bay.
Any progress with the sunroof?
Edit:
I'm more and more convinced that relay K25 has gone bad, it would explain why this all triggered after i fiddled with the fuses. Additionally, the ABS light hasn't been triggered since i purchased the vehicle and the (reasonably) low mileage would suggest that the brushes in the ABS system are unlikely to have gone bad. I may just be waffling but that's my view. And the lights are now permanently on, always on startup.
Just checked the warning lights with the icarsoft v2.0 diagnostic tool and tried clearing them. Bad news, they didn't. I seem to have an issue with the bosch ABS unit.
The error I'm getting is:
- C1401-007: A7/3m1 (High pressure and return pump) does not switch off
Would this be a faulty component in need of replacement? Or is it a bad relay? I'm tempted to try the relay first, if that works it would explain why the error tripped when I was fiddling with the fuse boxes in the engine bay.
Any progress with the sunroof?
Edit:
I'm more and more convinced that relay K25 has gone bad, it would explain why this all triggered after i fiddled with the fuses. Additionally, the ABS light hasn't been triggered since i purchased the vehicle and the (reasonably) low mileage would suggest that the brushes in the ABS system are unlikely to have gone bad. I may just be waffling but that's my view. And the lights are now permanently on, always on startup.
UPDATE:
Fixed, I swapped the relay for one that definitely worked, cleared the error code and voila, ESP, ABS and BAS back online and working as before!!!
Last edited by Lpm03; Jan 6, 2025 at 03:03 PM. Reason: Missing information
