Merc1

Hi,

Just wanted to share some info, incase you run into it.

My BAS ASR light came on, both places on the corner of the dash and the Computer Display.

My cruise control stopped working.

I talked to Mechanics and MB, they were all telling me things which scared me big $$$, anyway, I found the info on the other forum.

Believe it or not, I bought $12.50 Brake lamp switch and replaced it. It took me 15 min, no more warnings and the problem is solved.

MBZ12

Thanks for the info. My warning lights have been tripped four or five times since I bought the car. Thanks for the lead...I'll have to invest the 12.50! Hopefully this will take care of it.

Whitey

I had the same problem once when my brake lamp was out for an extended period and when I did a computer diagnosis it also said brake lamp switch. Unfortunately I'd only just seen this now Merc1 - we reformatted the on-board computer and the problem was fixed - for free!

samshofbrau

you have save yourself $180.00 I got my benz back with same problem. brake lamb switch. for next time, where was the switch located?

Whitey

You need to reset the on-board computer with the MB Diagnosis program.

Air Marshall Eldritch

I hjave this problem now. Can you please post the replacement procedure? I don't know the location of the switch.

Merc1

It is pretty simple to do it, I am not good at explaining like other members, however, I will try my best.

1. Under driver side, above brake pedal you will see the cover hoding unerneath the dash board. 3-4 Phillips screw remove them.

2. After removing the screws, it is held by clips, Pay Attention here..

there is a clip right below the Parking release handle and another clip right below the ignition key (These are reference point). Pull the cover down in this area, there are few clips slides out on the side of the cover as well.. not to worry about the side, it comes off easy.

4. After cover removed, follow the brake pedal up and you wil see the switch and few wire. Remember to TURN THE SWITCH CLOCKWISE and it come right out, unplug the wire, and connect new switch and install.

It is very easy to do, and should take you no more than 10-15 min.

I hope this helps.

Air Marshall Eldritch

Thanks alot Merc1.

One more question...how much was the part from the dealer, and did they have it in stock or was it special order?

Merc1

I get my parts wholesale, $12.50, retail is around $15.

Yes, they have it in stock, so it is a sign that these things go out often.

good luck, and post result.

Merc1

I get my parts wholesale, $12.50, retail is around $15.

Yes, they have it in stock, so it is a sign that these things go out often.

good luck, and post result.

geo_h

BAS, ASR, ABS light went up!!!

the lights sudden turn up last night (when we were parking the car)


We were unable to turn on or off for the ASR during that time.
So we decided to restart the engine and fortunately, all error lights went off!!!

We are now able to turn on/off the ASR option too.



:p

Whitey

Computer problem, obviously - it might come back.....wait for it.

Air Marshall Eldritch

Does anyone have the part number for the bad brake switch?

affalterbach

There is a simple test for to check if your brakelight switch is defective. When starting your car, leave your foot on the brake, for up to a minute. If the brakelight switch is bad, everything will appear normal until you lift your foot from the brake, then the ASR/BAS/ABS lights will appear. The contacts inside the switch get worn and malfunctions.

As for a part number, the 96-99 e-classe have a switch that retails for about $20. The 2000 and up's switch is different and retails for about $16. Just ask the dealer for the switch for your particular car. A lot of times asking the dealer for a part number is not the way to go, because part numbers can get superceded or recalled. The only way to get the latest is by asking the dealer for the latest version based on the build date of your car.

Good Luck

Corp DL

affalterbach & Merc1, thanks for the helpful postings. Sure enough my warning lights only come on after I release the break pedal. I'll go the the dealership tomorrow to buy the breaklight switch & post the result after I replace.

RBrenton88, have you had any luck with this fixing your problem?

Merc1

Yes, you will be happy.

I am trouble free for several months, I hated that warning display.

Its is an easy job..

Let us know after you change it..:p

Corp DL

Yep, it worked! Thanks so much for the help...this discussion board has already saved me a ton of money. The dealer had my stoplight switch for $17.89.

affalterbach

Glad it worked out

Corp DL

Okay, I can hardly believe this! I fixed the problem that this thread started w/ the whole ABS light thing. So, I noticed that once I fixed it my climate control lights went out. I figured I bumped a fuse or wire while I was under the dash. So I took the lower dash off again to try to solve the problem...in diagnosis all the ABS lights came on again!!! I was so ticked as this time the lights came on irrespective of the breaklight switch. I was trying all sorts of things trying to narrow down the problem. I noticed however that my LED display that displays the time & temp below the spedometer was suddenly fixed. (it had just gone half dark the week before). So now that problem was fixed yet my ABS lights problem was not. I was so frustrated I just decided to quit and deal with things later. So I was parking my car for the night and the ABS/BAS lights went off all of a sudden. So the original problem remains fixed (for now at least), my LED display fixed itself, yet now I just have no illumination behind my climate controls. Would that be an out bulb? None of the other dash lights are out except for the left air vent adjustment wheel. What is the deal with this car?

affalterbach

I have seen this problem in the 96-99 e-class cars and is not uncommon. Try tapping on the climate control lens, sounds dumb, but sometimes it will light up after you do this. Also, make sure your battery is fully charged, a battery with low voltage can also cause the ABS light to come on as well as other weird problems.

Air Marshall Eldritch

Guys, I plan to try the fix when I get back in town in 2 weeks or so. I promise to post my results.

Corp DL

affalterbach,

Thanks for the tip & I tried tapping it already to no avail. I just had my battery replaced about a mo ago. Do you know if there is a specific bulb that can be replaced behind that cluster? or any other remedies? (more aggrivating than anything, as I'm a perfectionist!)

RBrenton88, let us know how it goes...hope you don't have the other peripheral problems I did.

Since the breaklight switch problem actually does not allow your cruise control or all of the ABS/ESP systems to work it's really almost a safty issue to get it fixed. Thus, I'm glad I got it taken care of as I'm on the east coast in 5" of snow today and have to drive about 3 hrs this afternoon.

affalterbach

Corp DL

Any luck with the climate control backlight issue? I have not had the pleasure of removing one of those units, so I don't know if there is a bulb in it. It appears to be a lighted LCD. The parts guy at the local dealer can probably answer this question.

Corp DL

I have not bothered to attend to it yet. Its the LCD and the surrounding buttons that are all dark. Yet the little red LEDs illuminate.

rp718

There's one bulb in the unit.