Sport Mode Is On
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2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Sport Mode Is On
I have a 2012 E550 Cab and the sport mode light comes on after I drive about 5 minutes and I can not turn it off. When I recently has tires installed I was told I needed struts. I am not totally against having sport mode automatically engage, but would like the option of a smoother ride when desired. Could a defective strut cause the sport mode to engage? Is it possible to visually diagnose needing a strut replacement?
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From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
Wow, that makes no sense what so ever. Curious, where on your car is the Sport Mode button? In one of my cars it is a knob, in one it is a button on the center console and another it is on the stalk....
Reason for the question, in my car with the button on the center console some years ago the button was sticky and would turn on and just stick.
Reason for the question, in my car with the button on the center console some years ago the button was sticky and would turn on and just stick.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 517
Likes: 59
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Wow, that makes no sense what so ever. Curious, where on your car is the Sport Mode button? In one of my cars it is a knob, in one it is a button on the center console and another it is on the stalk....
Reason for the question, in my car with the button on the center console some years ago the button was sticky and would turn on and just stick.
Reason for the question, in my car with the button on the center console some years ago the button was sticky and would turn on and just stick.
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 485
Likes: 153
From: KY
2015 E63S Sedan, 2014 E550 coupe
I can’t quite understand how these two issues could be related?
If you need struts (likely on 2012 if originals), you need struts. Are yours the electrically dampened ones? There is a thread somewhere on here about sourcing them for cheaper, as the OEM replacements are quite pricey. I can look this up later, replaced mine on my ‘14 E550 coupe.
Sport transmission mode issue sounds…TCU or ECU related possibly?
If you need struts (likely on 2012 if originals), you need struts. Are yours the electrically dampened ones? There is a thread somewhere on here about sourcing them for cheaper, as the OEM replacements are quite pricey. I can look this up later, replaced mine on my ‘14 E550 coupe.
Sport transmission mode issue sounds…TCU or ECU related possibly?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 517
Likes: 59
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
I can’t quite understand how these two issues could be related?
If you need struts (likely on 2012 if originals), you need struts. Are yours the electrically dampened ones? There is a thread somewhere on here about sourcing them for cheaper, as the OEM replacements are quite pricey. I can look this up later, replaced mine on my ‘14 E550 coupe.
Sport transmission mode issue sounds…TCU or ECU related possibly?
If you need struts (likely on 2012 if originals), you need struts. Are yours the electrically dampened ones? There is a thread somewhere on here about sourcing them for cheaper, as the OEM replacements are quite pricey. I can look this up later, replaced mine on my ‘14 E550 coupe.
Sport transmission mode issue sounds…TCU or ECU related possibly?
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From: Spain UTC/GMT +2 hours
W213 All-terrain
Each struts has an electrical valve and silicone harness with a connector. Maybe when you install tires, the mechanic accidentally bump into the valve/connector. When any of the valves is defective or is not properly connected, the system will be blocked on S Mode. Sometimes, even the silicone wiring harness can be interrupted.
Of course, a simple diag will reveal the exact strut with this problem.
Of course, a simple diag will reveal the exact strut with this problem.
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From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
That is where I had my "Sticky Button" - same exact button. I had to take the panel off (very easy) and used some Liquid Moly electrical cleaner and qtips to clean off ArmorAll and all the other crap I had sprayed on it over the years.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/ele...BoCV9cQAvD_BwE
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/ele...BoCV9cQAvD_BwE
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 517
Likes: 59
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
That is where I had my "Sticky Button" - same exact button. I had to take the panel off (very easy) and used some Liquid Moly electrical cleaner and qtips to clean off ArmorAll and all the other crap I had sprayed on it over the years.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/ele...BoCV9cQAvD_BwE
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/ele...BoCV9cQAvD_BwE
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,115
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From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 517
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2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Starting point would be to run to see of there is a code on the car - mine are not direct comparisons as mine are all wagons and not the same susp as the sedans (or coupes). In my case, it was a sticky button as proven by cleaning the contact points of the electrical interface.
