ESP malfunction, won't start no idea, DESPERATE
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
2005 E320 CDI, 2011 ML350 4Matic
Ok I took it to the dealership on Oct 26th. Just got a call today saying it's fixed. They replaced the SAM because it kept eating relays, and that didn't fix it. They the CDI Module. I guess that did it. Anyway its snowing today and tomorrow so I wont be able to get it till Friday. I'm attaching the invoice so you guys can feel the 2850.87 pain with me. I guess my EGR valve wasn't compatible with the new module so I had to buy one of those also. Got a deal on parts and labor I guess and they did let me drive the new 2016 C300 for the last 2 months. Thats always nice. Good luck to the rest of you guys fighting it.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2003 E320
I had the same problem and I fixed it after cleaning my MAF and noticing a loose connection under the MAF. I have a feeling it was that loose connection because my car would go into limp mode when I step on the throttle hard. I think the movement of the engine moved the loose cable just enough to lose connection.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
2005 E320 CDI, 2011 ML350 4Matic
Ya it fixed mine. It was pretty spendy. Look at my post above for the invoice. On one hand I think these boards should have been built a little better. On the other hand I guess 12 years is a decent lifespan for something getting hot and cold over and over and power off and on all the time. It hurt to pay it out but I still love this car every time I put my foot into it.
Last edited by jettskiman; Apr 25, 2017 at 09:31 PM.
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2002 Mercedes Benz E240 (w211)
Ignition on but no crank. Cooling fan operates at high!
Check voltage of auxilliary battery located on the passenger side firewall. If voltage of aux battery is beyond 12v then check the front SAM relays. You can interchange similar relays 3 black square, 3 black rectangular and 2 gray square. If this does not work, try cleaning the connectors of the front Sam. Or you can test another front Sam front another unit of same model. If still does not work it could be your ecu. In another case if there is no crank and fan does not operate, it could be your park neutral switch. Or your brake light switch. Or if your too bz ask someone to use a Star diagnostic and let him interpret the fault codes in laymans term!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 27
Likes: 9
From: Romania
X204 GLK 2014 / CLS C257 2018
So, easy fix for me. My MB 2007 was running high on fan speed, "ESP not operative, check owner manual" and no cranking when wanted to start it. Very upset, tried a lot of things, nothing worked.
The problem was a fuse, 25A in the front of the car, the one for fan. Blown. Change it and everything got back in order. Hope that helps
The problem was a fuse, 25A in the front of the car, the one for fan. Blown. Change it and everything got back in order. Hope that helps
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2005 Mercedes e320 cdi
Help! Same issue
2005 w211 e320 cdi 80,000 miles
3 months ago stranded me at work with ESP malfunction/ABS malfunction. Would not start. Went back later to get it ready for tow and it started up and did well for about a month. No limp mode, just normal operation. At that time, the car did not show any codes on the dealers computer but it was running fine at the time.
Then 10 weeks ago it happened again, but this time it would not restart and displayed ESP Malfunction (but not ABS malfunction). It has been at an independent authorized mercedes service center since, including 1 week at a real dealer. The independent says it was the computer and put a new one in and it did not work, though there were some issues with coding the new computer but they were ironed out. It was towed to the Dealer by the independent (1.5 hours away where I bought it) and they worked 2 hours on it and said the comptur was not hooked up properly and it was DRIVEN back to my town. Then it wouldn't start and it sits at the independent still not starting demonstrating ESP Malfunction.
Everything else works. Just will not crank. Now week 10.
I am told the battery is in good condition, replaced last year, and making good charge.
Bit of history:
About 4 months ago, new brakes
About 3 months ago, horrible rev dependent vibrating sound that turned out to be a broken catalytic converter with a "dent" on the top, the side facing the inside underbelly of the car, and was told it was my fault and not a warranty issue. Fixed by dealer. I think in the process several other things were checked like the "shift sensor" or something but that was not it.
Except for a leaky high pressure fuel line when I first bought it in 2004, the car has been flawless.
I love Mercedes, I have had a 1977 240d during highschool and college, 1965 230sl, a 1997 c230, a new 2011 w212 e350 estate for the wife. But I am at my limit.
I have tried my best to read every thread regarding ESP Malfunction warning but none seem to fit my situation. Any point in the right direction.
3 months ago stranded me at work with ESP malfunction/ABS malfunction. Would not start. Went back later to get it ready for tow and it started up and did well for about a month. No limp mode, just normal operation. At that time, the car did not show any codes on the dealers computer but it was running fine at the time.
Then 10 weeks ago it happened again, but this time it would not restart and displayed ESP Malfunction (but not ABS malfunction). It has been at an independent authorized mercedes service center since, including 1 week at a real dealer. The independent says it was the computer and put a new one in and it did not work, though there were some issues with coding the new computer but they were ironed out. It was towed to the Dealer by the independent (1.5 hours away where I bought it) and they worked 2 hours on it and said the comptur was not hooked up properly and it was DRIVEN back to my town. Then it wouldn't start and it sits at the independent still not starting demonstrating ESP Malfunction.
Everything else works. Just will not crank. Now week 10.
I am told the battery is in good condition, replaced last year, and making good charge.
Bit of history:
About 4 months ago, new brakes
About 3 months ago, horrible rev dependent vibrating sound that turned out to be a broken catalytic converter with a "dent" on the top, the side facing the inside underbelly of the car, and was told it was my fault and not a warranty issue. Fixed by dealer. I think in the process several other things were checked like the "shift sensor" or something but that was not it.
Except for a leaky high pressure fuel line when I first bought it in 2004, the car has been flawless.
I love Mercedes, I have had a 1977 240d during highschool and college, 1965 230sl, a 1997 c230, a new 2011 w212 e350 estate for the wife. But I am at my limit.
I have tried my best to read every thread regarding ESP Malfunction warning but none seem to fit my situation. Any point in the right direction.
Newbie
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2003 e240 w211 v6
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
W211 E320 ,05
Newbie
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2003 e240 w211 v6
