ABS ESP BAS fault
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
02 CLK 430, 06 SL 600
ABS ESP BAS fault
Good morning,
Before anyone freaks out about posting a new thread about abs bas esp please know that I have searched endlessly on the web and in forums for answers to my issue. I have a 2002 CLK 430 that kept throwing the 3 codes while driving, at first I didn't realize how I was causing the problem but noticed that if I apply pressure either up, down or side to side to the wheel/column it sets off the codes, there is a bit of play in the column ( not the steering wheel ) and when I put pressure on it the faults will return. The problem has gradually been getting worse and i have been trying to find a DIY solution before brining in to the shop.
-is there anything that can be tightened to eliminate the play?
-is there a sensor in the steering wheel that would be causing these faults to keep coming back?
would it be the steering column angle sensor?
Thank you in advance
Before anyone freaks out about posting a new thread about abs bas esp please know that I have searched endlessly on the web and in forums for answers to my issue. I have a 2002 CLK 430 that kept throwing the 3 codes while driving, at first I didn't realize how I was causing the problem but noticed that if I apply pressure either up, down or side to side to the wheel/column it sets off the codes, there is a bit of play in the column ( not the steering wheel ) and when I put pressure on it the faults will return. The problem has gradually been getting worse and i have been trying to find a DIY solution before brining in to the shop.
-is there anything that can be tightened to eliminate the play?
-is there a sensor in the steering wheel that would be causing these faults to keep coming back?
would it be the steering column angle sensor?
Thank you in advance
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 46
Likes: 6
From: Airlie Beach, Queensland, AUS
2001 CLK 430
Yes the SAS is part of the ESP, traction control systems, the ABS light also, they are known as the three amigos. The SAS is located right at the gap between the wheel and the steering column cowl and contains optical sensors in a circle which are interrupted by various tabs. I took the steering wheel and airbag off after 15 mins from disconnecting the battery. MAKE SURE YOU CAN GET IN THE BOOT WITH YOUR KEY. Then removed the SAS after putting marks on it so it goes back in exact position, disassembled it and cleaned a fair bit of dust of the sensors. That was 3 years ago, had no trouble since.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 54
Likes: 8
2001 CLK 320
not sure if that reflects the steering column behavior or not, but, you could still check the fuse to those systems. It is the brake light fuse in the fusebox next to the steering wheel. If it is bad, all of those systems will be disabled.
