Stiff Steering (SPS) - No mechanical error and no error codes...
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Joined: May 2025
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2009 CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR and 2007 E 350
Stiff Steering (SPS) - No mechanical error and no error codes...
Hi all,
I recently bought a CLK200 KOMPRESSOR Cabriolet with 85000 miles. Apart from the standard 'maintenance' like tires, brakes, oil changes (the car was not taken care of very well) there is one anoing issue that I have not been able to fix..
The steering at stand-still and low speeds is very stiff. I have been doing some investigation, but was not able to fix the issue:
- Replaced the Pump and oil
- Replaced the SPS solenoid (Y10)
- Connected XANTRY/DAS to continue the investigation:
- No error codes on Steering (SPS, ESP, ABS or DAS)
- Steering angle sensor is OK
- Manually activating the Y10 solenoid makes steering a lot lighter (value while activated is around 1000 mA)
- SPS function is ACTIVATED
My conclusion is that there is nothing mechanically wrong, the solenoid works and does what it needs to do, for some reason the solenoid is not activated at low speed.
Does anyone have an idea what to diagnose next?
Thanks!!
I recently bought a CLK200 KOMPRESSOR Cabriolet with 85000 miles. Apart from the standard 'maintenance' like tires, brakes, oil changes (the car was not taken care of very well) there is one anoing issue that I have not been able to fix..
The steering at stand-still and low speeds is very stiff. I have been doing some investigation, but was not able to fix the issue:
- Replaced the Pump and oil
- Replaced the SPS solenoid (Y10)
- Connected XANTRY/DAS to continue the investigation:
- No error codes on Steering (SPS, ESP, ABS or DAS)
- Steering angle sensor is OK
- Manually activating the Y10 solenoid makes steering a lot lighter (value while activated is around 1000 mA)
- SPS function is ACTIVATED
My conclusion is that there is nothing mechanically wrong, the solenoid works and does what it needs to do, for some reason the solenoid is not activated at low speed.
Does anyone have an idea what to diagnose next?
Thanks!!
Last edited by wouterheer; May 27, 2025 at 03:10 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area, California
2015 S63 AMG Coupe, 2003 CLK500, 1986 TVR 280i
Have you replaced the fluid reservoir?
It’s actually a maintenance item that’s often forgotten. There is a built in screen/filter that does get blogged and can reduce effective hydraulic pressure and ultimately cause pump failure.
the solenoid actually reduces pressure at higher speeds and at low speed it’s NOT actuated.
when it fails , the steering remains soft at higher speeds speeds and makes driving a bit “busy”.
In hope this helps. I have had actual experience with clogged reservoir causing stiff steering which went away entirely after the change.
It’s actually a maintenance item that’s often forgotten. There is a built in screen/filter that does get blogged and can reduce effective hydraulic pressure and ultimately cause pump failure.
the solenoid actually reduces pressure at higher speeds and at low speed it’s NOT actuated.
when it fails , the steering remains soft at higher speeds speeds and makes driving a bit “busy”.
In hope this helps. I have had actual experience with clogged reservoir causing stiff steering which went away entirely after the change.
