E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

ESP non functional

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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 11:06 AM
  #1  
araycho's Avatar
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From: Portland, OR
2008, E 350, Black exterior, cashmere interior
ESP non functional

Hi,
I want some advice on the ESP of my '08 E350. A week back, when I was driving, the ESp light came on with the error msg "ESP non functional - see owner's manual". I restarted the engine and it went away. Again today, the same thing happened.
In both cases I was driving on a good road at low (30-40) speeds. I am wondering if this is a transient thing or this is something serious that I need to take to the dealer right away. Any advise from the group members would be of great help.
thanks
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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 12:36 PM
  #2  
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Its under warranty....let em figure it out and make it right. You paid for it!!!

Its prob a speed sensor problem.
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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by TMAllison
Its under warranty....let em figure it out and make it right. You paid for it!!!

Its prob a speed sensor problem.
+1

If you have seen this two times there is an intermittent problem that needs to be looked at. It's NOT normal unless you disconnect your battery.
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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 01:18 PM
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Of course it needs to go to an MB workshop to be serviced but there is nothing wrong to ask the forum about the issue, and to inform the forum about it, to gain some statistics. Even more important to report about the fix once the car comes back.

I assume you have original tyres and wheels? Otherwise it could be as simple as the brake light switch but the car is too new for this or any ABS sensor issues except if there happens to be a bad part somewhere, or a wired connector playing etc. etc.
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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 01:31 PM
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Please let meknow what they find out. I hadf that happen to me on Thursday, it hasn't came on again though.
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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by araycho
Hi,
I want some advice on the ESP of my '08 E350. A week back, when I was driving, the ESp light came on with the error msg "ESP non functional - see owner's manual". I restarted the engine and it went away. Again today, the same thing happened. In both cases I was driving on a good road at low (30-40) speeds. I am wondering if this is a transient thing or this is something serious that I need to take to the dealer right away. Any advise from the group members would be of great help.
thanks
Originally Posted by Tuffy72
Please let meknow what they find out. I hadf that happen to me on Thursday, it hasn't came on again though.[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DAN%7E1.DMN/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif[/IMG]
One possible solution may be to have the dealer check VMI to see if your vehicle is involved in C1A071101 NOV07 – MY07-08 211 & 219 replace steering angle sensor.

Last edited by konigstiger; Aug 19, 2008 at 05:09 PM.
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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 06:22 PM
  #7  
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2008, E 350, Black exterior, cashmere interior
thanks to everyone. I will take it to the dealer on Monday and keep you posted.
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 12:20 AM
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Could it be a tire pressure problem?
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Old Aug 18, 2008 | 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by TMAllison
Its under warranty....let em figure it out and make it right. You paid for it!!!

Its prob a speed sensor problem.
+1 to that. Better to take it to the shop and let them find its a faulty sensor then have your ESP not working in the middle of a snow storm
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Old Aug 19, 2008 | 10:23 AM
  #10  
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I had the same issue, problem now solved

I had the same issue. It wound up being that a steering sensor was bad. The sensor is behind the airbag and needed to be replaced. In and out pretty quick, great service.

08 320 bluetec.

Bryan
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Old Aug 19, 2008 | 02:19 PM
  #11  
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I just had this happen to me this morning. 08 E350 Sport.
Notification came on. I turned the car off, let it sit for a few minutes.
Turned it back on, and shortly after the notification came back on again.
I'm going to call the dealer later this week.
Hopefully this will be a quick fix...
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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 06:36 PM
  #12  
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From: Portland, OR
2008, E 350, Black exterior, cashmere interior
ESP non functional: Follow Up

I heard back from the dealer. Same problem in my car. The steering sensor was bad and will be replaced.
Seems like its one of the bugs in the 2008 model. I have read it in other blogs and forums too that a lot of the steering sensor modules are going bad (amazingly, almost all at the same time !!!).
Thanks to everyone who left their comments. We are starting to get interesting statistics on the 2008 models.


Originally Posted by Baron11
I had the same issue. It wound up being that a steering sensor was bad. The sensor is behind the airbag and needed to be replaced. In and out pretty quick, great service.

08 320 bluetec.

Bryan
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Old Aug 20, 2008 | 07:42 PM
  #13  
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As mentioned previously MBUSA released a “Customer 1 Acton” C1A071101 NOV07 MY 2007-08 211 & 219. Prior to retail sale the dealer should be checking VMI (Vehicle Master Inquiry) to insure the vehicle is involved. If involved, the dealer is to replace the steering angle sensor and erase any stored DTC codes prior to delivery. It would seem some dealers have been negligent in adhering to MBUSA requirement.
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Old Aug 21, 2008 | 08:55 PM
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07 Bluetec P2 package panaroma sunroof wood and leather steering wheel, keyless go
It came back again yesterday. Off to the dealer I go.
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Old Aug 22, 2008 | 04:19 PM
  #15  
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I had this happen to me when I threw my spare tire on a few weeks back. I'm running 20's and when I bolted the dinky spare on and hit the freeway my speedo shut off and the ESP light turned on, the check engine light came on and the heads up display said "ESP non functional, visit work shop immediately" I pulled over on the should of the freeway. Turned the car off..turned it back on and before I moved I turned the ESP off and continued driving home. Nothing happened after that. The next morning I got the tire fixed and turned the ESP back on and nothing bad happened. But now my Cruise Control doesn't work. The car is getting turned in for service D next Thursday so we'll see what happens
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Old Aug 22, 2008 | 10:42 PM
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/Start Rant
Wow, Sovereign Mercedes in Brooklyn has to be the worst dealership around.
I brought my car in to them on Thursday for this same ESP issue, being told that I would be guaranteed to get a Mercedes loaner as long as I showed up on time.
Appointment was at 8:30AM. I was there at 8:25AM. My "service associate" didn't greet me until 8:55AM. Had me waiting around for half an hour.
OK - so he writes down all of my issues, and sends me over to the loaner dept.
The 18 year old kid behind the counter informs me that there are no Benz's left, and that I now have a choice of a Toyota Rav4, or a Dodge Magnum.
I, with a bit of an attitude, choose the Magnum. He brings it out, and it has cigarette burn holes in the back seat, stains all over the interior, and some sort of "goo" on the dash and steering wheel.
I was in a hurry to get to work, so I took it and left. I was told my car would be done the same day.
Phone call at 4:30PM from service dept - Car will be ready tomorrow (Friday). Ok, fine.
Friday comes, it's now 2PM and no calls from them. I call and the fool who answers the phone tells me "your associate has nothing to say to you right now, there's no update, he'll call you back in an hour".
4:30PM - no call back - no nothing.
5:00PM - I show up at the dealership pitching a fit. Manager had to come out and personally calm me down. Gave me a new Cherry Red C300 as a loaner with 2K miles on it. Promised to call me personally on Monday to let me know what was going on with my car. Is also going to throw in the Ashtray rubber liner piece that I've been wanting to get.
Let's see what happens on Monday. In the mean time, I'm gonna beat the snot out of this C300.
On a side note - it's a really fun car to drive. Plenty of power on tap, and very stable at higher speeds.
/End Rant
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Old Apr 8, 2009 | 01:36 AM
  #17  
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From: Los Angeles
2012 C250
I've had this happen to me a couple weeks back. Restarted the car and all was fine. It was really weird though, the car would not shift out of 1st gear and my cluster didn't say what "gear" (i.e. Drive, Reverse, Park) I was in.

Guess I'll take it in and hope they replace the steering sensor. Thanks guys
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Old Apr 16, 2009 | 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Black.E
I've had this happen to me a couple weeks back. Restarted the car and all was fine. It was really weird though, the car would not shift out of 1st gear and my cluster didn't say what "gear" (i.e. Drive, Reverse, Park) I was in.

Guess I'll take it in and hope they replace the steering sensor. Thanks guys
I had that same problem once to. Wouldn't change out of D and would not shift up.

In regards to the ESP, have you trying turning the wheel all the way one way then all the way the other way to reset it. I forget which way to which way, but have heard this a couple of times on the forum.

However, for some of you, it could be a worst problem. I remember our CL500 all of sudden read on the display ESP malfunction, ABS malfunction, BAS malfunction. The ABS & ESP lights stayed on and nothing on the steering column worked: no high beam, no turn signal (even when looking and unlocking cars, however the hazard worked since it is not connected via steering wheel and the alarm's parking light functions are), no voice command, no cruise control, steering wheel would not move up down back forth, etc. Took it to my uncle and he said something failed in the steering wheel and the whole unit had to be replaced. It was interesting though since the car had no traction controls on, so
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