When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Sport Mode ON
I have a 2012 E550 Convertible with the Dynamic Package. A couple of months ago after driving a 4-5 miles the car would go into sport mode and could not be turned off. If I turned the car off and let it sit, the process started over again. I took it into my local garage and he said there was a "tab" that had come off in the right strut area and he reconnected it. Everything worked fine for a few month, but it started it again yesterday. Does anyone what this "tab" might be?
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Originally Posted by The_Judge
Fiction?
I was standing about 6-7 feet away when he put the "tab" back on. I didn't really get a good as I should have. Whatever, he did something to stop the sport mode from coming on automatically.
The shocks are electronically controlled at least for the front two. If the connector, wiring, or shock has gone bad it could be triggering the sport mode to turn on is my thought. Usually when sport mode is pressed a signal is sent to the shock to electronically make them stiffer. If your shocks are old perhaps they are automatically going into that mode and then sensor is picking up that signal. This is just a total guess but given when you described as a tab being reinserted, it’s likely something to do with the connector, wiring, or shock.
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Originally Posted by ibbij
The shocks are electronically controlled at least for the front two. If the connector, wiring, or shock has gone bad it could be triggering the sport mode to turn on is my thought. Usually when sport mode is pressed a signal is sent to the shock to electronically make them stiffer. If your shocks are old perhaps they are automatically going into that mode and then sensor is picking up that signal. This is just a total guess but given when you described as a tab being reinserted, it’s likely something to do with the connector, wiring, or shock.
That is what I thought, which is why the front struts were replaced last week. This has happened before and after the struts were replaced.
Maybe the wire is frayed and/or connected damaged or control module is malfunctioning. It would likely need to be looked at by a mechanic with the Xentry for more detailed diagnostics.
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Originally Posted by ibbij
Maybe the wire is frayed and/or connected damaged or control module is malfunctioning. It would likely need to be looked at by a mechanic with the Xentry for more detailed diagnostics.
Hopefully it is not the control module because it appears they are no longer available new. Does anyone have a part number of the control module for 2012 E550 Cabriolet with the Dynamic Package?
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Originally Posted by Davery
Hopefully it is not the control module because it appears they are no longer available new. Does anyone have a part number of the control module for 2012 E550 Cabriolet with the Dynamic Package?
I was able to do a scan today. It says
State: Historic
The left front Damping Valve Unit has a Malfunction. There is an Open Circuit.
Cause: Electrical malfunction of the damping valves in the left or right shock absorber on the front or rear axle due to:
- Corrosion in the plug on the ADS module or in the control unit.
- Short circuit to ground or positive in the electrical actuation line of the ADS module
- Internal fault in the damping valves
Remedy:
1. Check the connector for corrosion, repair if necessary. Check the electrical line for short circuit to ground or positive, repair if necessary.
2. If the connectors and electrical lines are OK, replace the affected suspension strut.
Cause: Electrical malfunction of the damping valves in the left or right shock absorber on the front or rear axle due to:
- Corrosion in the plug on the ADS module or in the control unit.
- Short circuit to ground or positive in the electrical actuation line of the ADS module
- Internal fault in the damping valves
Remedy:
1. Check the connector for corrosion, repair if necessary. Check the electrical line for short circuit to ground or positive, repair if necessary.
2. If the connectors and electrical lines are OK, replace the affected suspension strut.
Thanks. I also found this. It appears to have the same symptoms as mine. It sounds like I should be able to verify the level sensors are connected by just turning the wheel and looking.
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Originally Posted by Davery
Thanks. I also found this. It appears to have the same symptoms as mine. It sounds like I should be able to verify the level sensors are connected by just turning the wheel and looking.
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
I found the issue. The plastic level sensor tab had come off. For those with the same issue, it's a simple fix. It is a simple ball and socket and I just pushed the socket back onto the ball. This is the third time this has happened, so I'm not sure it will stay on. Anyone know the part number?
If you turn the wheels all the way to one side, you can reach from the front side of the tire to the level sensor.
The other thread said that the OP wrapped some Teflon tape to keep it from getting loose. I know it is not a elegant fix but perhaps a bit of tape could help it from coming out.
The other thread said that the OP wrapped some Teflon tape to keep it from getting loose. I know it is not a elegant fix but perhaps a bit of tape could help it from coming out.
The teflon tape has helped solve my issue with this, so far so good.
edit* my reply sounds like I just tried this. I applied the tape on quite some time ago!
Last edited by 604550C207; Apr 9, 2025 at 03:01 PM.
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Originally Posted by 604550C207
The teflon tape has helped solve my issue with this, so far so good.
edit* my reply sounds like I just tried this. I applied the tape on quite some time ago!
I ended up just using a thin piece of black duct tape. Once the tab is installed correctly, the ball is there just to keep it in place. It appears either the hole enlarged or the ball wore down and was smaller, as my tab was coming off all the time. The tab does not actually ride on the ball, the ball is just to make sure the tab does not come off. After the tab has been installed over the ball, anything that makes the ball larger to prevent the tab from coming off will work.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
