Gearbox issue with esp and abs inoperative
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Cl500
Gearbox issue with esp and abs inoperative
Hi looking for a second opinion. Car drove fine when I bought it and moved through the gears great. Suddenly developed issue where would not move in to reverse or park as it thought it was moving. Esp and abs lights came on intermittently. Was driving one day and would not move out of 3rd. Took to mb specialists who siagnoaed valve control body fault and replaced this for 2k and didn't do the job. Now they're saying the gearbox needs replacing as there's a mechanical fault and it is giving false information to the output senor. How does this sound to everyone? They've told me wheel speed sensors seem fine.
Member
Joined: Mar 2017
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2008 CL550
It's almost always transmission control module that needs replacing. I've just discovered this neat feature" too... was trying to back out of a parking space and when I put the car in reverse the gas pedal didn't do anything... NO throttle response. Put it in Park or Drive and the gas revs and pushes the car closer to the curb. But in Reverse it was unresponsive (though reverse lights were shining and car displayed it was in Reverse). Left the car off for about an hour and the problem was fixed. Yes I get the ABS / ESP light when this is happening. There's lots of stories of unique little failures like ours on the internet, it's definitely an electrical module control type of thing.
Good luck!
Joel
Good luck!
Joel
Last edited by JoelCrow; Jul 17, 2024 at 02:10 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2024
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Cl500
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Didn't get a chance to update what happened in the end. Went with their advice and replaced the valve control body costing a cool £2k. Didn't solve the issue. Miraculously they also found an abs speed sensor code (the abs esp lights were up from the very beginning). Changed both rear abs sensors and low and behold problem fixed. They were apologetic about the whole ordeal but ultimately did not refund the cost of the initial repair. Still...I have a nice newly refurbished valve control body 
Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 78
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2008 CL550
Good to hear! I will have my guys check the ABS sensor then. I have seen it's one of the three big things that go wrong with these... ABC explodes, Transmission Control Module, and this ABS sensor. Might as well just do them all while I have time and then I can peacefully enjoy this gorgeous touring tank! 
Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 78
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2008 CL550
Actually, that's what I thought it would look like too... but sadly it actually looks like PLUMES OF SMOKE coming out of your engine that makes you think it's on fire! All the people driving and walking around me were pointing and laughing and hating on Mercedes as my hot engine vaporized all the fluid that blew out of the ABC fluid/air lines and that stuff SMOKES LIKE CRAZY! I literally thought the car was on fire! I drove about 2 miles to my mechanic and as I pulled in my alternator went out, my power steering went out, all because the belt and pulleys were soaked in this ABC fluid and ultimately chewed my belt up and requires all new pulleys. For me, it was MUCH MORE of an event than just my rear end was sagging a little lol #sorry
#sorry
