ESP light flicker -- rear diff going bad?
11-20-2015, 12:34 AM
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99 E320 / 99 C280
ESP light flicker -- rear diff going bad?
I have a 99 E320 with only 79K miles. I bought it 2 years ago with 70K, runs great - no issues after basic post-buy maintenance. I drive it fairly hard at times on accelerating -- cruise at 85 in freeways. No issues.
This week I noticed the ESP light flickering on and off when I accelerate moderately hard -- from a stop sign, or punching it at 70 to pass someone. This is on dry pavement. Once I get to steady state, I can drive for a couple hours -- no flickering, no loss of power or slipping. My first thought was the rear end was packing up (one went on my 98 C280 with 150K). However, I just made the other connection - I just put on snow tires this week (live in Maine). Brand new Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT XL 215/55R-16. Is it possible the tires have something to do with it. I had not noticed it with my summer tires.
Thanks for any help. and for the great site.
This week I noticed the ESP light flickering on and off when I accelerate moderately hard -- from a stop sign, or punching it at 70 to pass someone. This is on dry pavement. Once I get to steady state, I can drive for a couple hours -- no flickering, no loss of power or slipping. My first thought was the rear end was packing up (one went on my 98 C280 with 150K). However, I just made the other connection - I just put on snow tires this week (live in Maine). Brand new Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT XL 215/55R-16. Is it possible the tires have something to do with it. I had not noticed it with my summer tires.
Thanks for any help. and for the great site.
11-20-2015, 10:24 AM
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Check your tire pressure---- are the rears both the same and to spec----the flickering is most likely the wheel speed sensors are sensing a change in wheel speed!!
11-20-2015, 09:29 PM
#3
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Yes it is related to your tires. As Plutoe mentioned, there must be a difference in tire size and therefore a difference in wheel sipped, which is confusing your ESP
11-20-2015, 11:34 PM
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99 E320 / 99 C280
tires are OK
Pressures are correct and tires are the same size -- both brand new. If tires were not same size wouldn't the light be on all the time?
Being winter tires with an aggressive soft sticky compound, wonder if that causes the differential spin under load -- one tire grips a touch better than the other? But it happens at 70 mph when I floor it. I cant believe 217 hp is breaking one of the tires free!
Being winter tires with an aggressive soft sticky compound, wonder if that causes the differential spin under load -- one tire grips a touch better than the other? But it happens at 70 mph when I floor it. I cant believe 217 hp is breaking one of the tires free!
11-21-2015, 04:43 AM
#6
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The circumference is probably slightly bigger than the front ones and that's what is triggering the ESP to either activate or generate an error. It will probably resolve itself after the winter or as those tires wear a little bit
11-22-2015, 01:11 PM
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still wondering
All four tires are new and of the same make and size.
I am going to just keep observing it and testing it periodically and see if it goes away or gets worse... thanks
I am going to just keep observing it and testing it periodically and see if it goes away or gets worse... thanks
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