E500 ABS, ESP and Stiff Power Steering.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
2003 E500 (W211)
E500 ABS, ESP, Brake Lights and Stiff Power Steering.
Hello guys,
I don't even know how to start this story. OK, I have a 2003 E500. It was running good, then I was told by my mech, i need to change the front bearings. I did and after then the ESP light start coming up. Sometimes when i want to drive the car, it won't accelerate, the Traction light will come up (triangle with exclamation) and I'll have to press the ESP off botton and the car will then accelerate but in a strange way untill the traction light is off and then moves normal.
Now, my mech says the steering rack is leaking, so we bought a good used one. And now the ESP, ABS light is on and the power steering is not powered at all. Its hard to turn. Service brake is on also, my speedometer doesn't read correct at initial drive. And cruise control is not working as well.
At this point I'm starting to be frustrated, I took the car to the dealer for a diagnostic, they told me the front right sensor is bad, the power steering switch on the rack is bad. It was going to cost me almost 2000 dollars so I took it back to my Mech to change those things.
We changed the front sensor and the power steering switch. The strange thing now is that the nothing happens, ESP, ABS light is still on. The steering is still hard as ever. And the service brake warning is on also. (Forgot to hard that).
My mech now concludes it might be a faulty steering rack we bought. We got it changed and it's still the same thing.
I even changed the brake light switch and still the same thing.
Please help.
I don't even know how to start this story. OK, I have a 2003 E500. It was running good, then I was told by my mech, i need to change the front bearings. I did and after then the ESP light start coming up. Sometimes when i want to drive the car, it won't accelerate, the Traction light will come up (triangle with exclamation) and I'll have to press the ESP off botton and the car will then accelerate but in a strange way untill the traction light is off and then moves normal.
Now, my mech says the steering rack is leaking, so we bought a good used one. And now the ESP, ABS light is on and the power steering is not powered at all. Its hard to turn. Service brake is on also, my speedometer doesn't read correct at initial drive. And cruise control is not working as well.
At this point I'm starting to be frustrated, I took the car to the dealer for a diagnostic, they told me the front right sensor is bad, the power steering switch on the rack is bad. It was going to cost me almost 2000 dollars so I took it back to my Mech to change those things.
We changed the front sensor and the power steering switch. The strange thing now is that the nothing happens, ESP, ABS light is still on. The steering is still hard as ever. And the service brake warning is on also. (Forgot to hard that).
My mech now concludes it might be a faulty steering rack we bought. We got it changed and it's still the same thing.
I even changed the brake light switch and still the same thing.
Please help.
Last edited by kaybal; May 9, 2011 at 08:34 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 16
From: NY
2014 E550; 2003 E500
Did you tighten the wheel bearing too much? I probably doubt it and its ok.
The only other thing i can think about is the wheel sensor that reads the bearing. Maybe you installed it the wrong way? From what i remember, the hex key screws int two things... there is a cover that goes up the spindle arm for you to clip the wiring to and then the sensor itself. Make sure that looks right and that everything is flush. That 1mm thickness may throw a bad ESP and ABS code.
Sorry hope this helps.
The only other thing i can think about is the wheel sensor that reads the bearing. Maybe you installed it the wrong way? From what i remember, the hex key screws int two things... there is a cover that goes up the spindle arm for you to clip the wiring to and then the sensor itself. Make sure that looks right and that everything is flush. That 1mm thickness may throw a bad ESP and ABS code.
Sorry hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
2003 E500 (W211)
The problem with the ESP and ABS light was that the mechanic replaced the bearings only. I was told he needs to replace the whole hub.
We did that and the light is gone.
I still have stiff steering though. I guess there's a way we need to activate the SPS valve using DAS.
We did that and the light is gone.
I still have stiff steering though. I guess there's a way we need to activate the SPS valve using DAS.
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 197
Likes: 3
From: St. Louis, MO
2005 E55 Sedan (Peuter)
The problem with the ESP and ABS light was that the mechanic replaced the bearings only. I was told he needs to replace the whole hub.
We did that and the light is gone.
I still have stiff steering though. I guess there's a way we need to activate the SPS valve using DAS.
We did that and the light is gone.
I still have stiff steering though. I guess there's a way we need to activate the SPS valve using DAS.
Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 244
Likes: 4
From: PA, USA
2004 E320 4matic Sedan
There are sensor magnets in the seals. Perhaps your kit did not include correct seals?
