Won't shift, stiff steering, ABS & ESP errors
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2004 E320 4M
Won't shift, stiff steering, ABS & ESP errors
Alright so after quite a few years of dreaming I finally got my first Benz a few month's back. Love the car, however, about a month ago, on real cold mornings I started getting the battery error light and a couple days later after making a slightly hard left turn, suddenly ESP and ABS errors with "visit workshop" appears. No problems with driveability until yesterday, I was driving home from work and a couple miles from home I stop at a stop sign and proceed, for some reason the car became stuck in first (or second?) gear. I hobbled home at about 25 MPH and 3000 RPM and upon pulling in my driveway I noticed the steering had become a bit tough. Now the check engine light is on and I'm getting nervous. Any input would be greatly appreciated. The car is a 2004 E320 4Matic. I did an oil change last week but I highly doubt that's relevant.
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THE C350
We need to get the codes out of the computer to really help you. Sadly most code readers won't be of much help with ABS and ESP errors but if you have one give it a shot and post it. Over wise you need to find someone with a star or similar system (fellow member on here, dealership or indy) to get the codes. Add your location as that will let us know if any one local has one or we know of a good shop.
Sounds like you car went into limp mode which can be caused by tons of different things. Are you still getting the battery error in the morning? How long have you been driving with the lights on i would be careful with that as if it is a more serious issue you may make the issue worse.
Sounds like you car went into limp mode which can be caused by tons of different things. Are you still getting the battery error in the morning? How long have you been driving with the lights on i would be careful with that as if it is a more serious issue you may make the issue worse.
Last edited by samaritrey; Mar 17, 2015 at 05:30 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2015
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2004 E320 4M
We need to get the codes out of the computer to really help you. Sadly most code readers won't be of much help with ABS and ESP errors but if you have one give it a shot and post it. Over wise you need to find someone with a star or similar system (fellow member on here, dealership or indy) to get the codes. Add your location as that will let us know if any one local has one or we know of a good shop.
Sounds like you car went into limp mode which can be caused by tons of different things. Are you still getting the battery error in the morning? How long have you been driving with the lights on i would be careful with that as if it is a more serious issue you may make the issue worse.
Sounds like you car went into limp mode which can be caused by tons of different things. Are you still getting the battery error in the morning? How long have you been driving with the lights on i would be careful with that as if it is a more serious issue you may make the issue worse.
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2004 E320 4M
Indy? I've put about 150 miles on it since the initial ABS/ESP errors. Probably 15 or so since it went into limp mode. As I don't want to cause further damage I haven't driven it since that day. My location, New Castle, PA, about an hour north of Pittsburgh. I'm apprehensive about taking it to get scanned because aside from the check engine light, no additional warning lights have appeared so I have my doubts about how useful a typical auto parts store scan could be if at all. I've been reading around and it seems these cars go into limp mode quite easily. Personally, I think the way the limp mode feature is set up in these cars is a joke, I can't get out of second but it will let me drive down the road at 4500 RPM all day long, doesn't make sense. Needless to say, I'm highly disappointed because I've wanted a Benz for as long as I remember and after only 3 months I have a very expensive paper weight sitting in my driveway. I treat it like my first born child, never beat on it, heck I rarely take it over 3000 RPM and in the middle of a drive it just started acting up. Extremely frustrated.
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THE C350
Indy as in a independent shop that works on Mercedes.
You are right most basic readers won't give us much but its a place to start and really everyone should have one as they are under $50 heck the Bluetooth one i have was like $10. You just need one that supports CAN.
Limp mode is annoying but usually comes on so that way you can get the car off a highway or whatever and parked to be towed not really meant for driving more than that.
Without getting the car on a star system we won't really know whats going on. If my car didn't possibly need a new timing chain i would make the trip but until I know that the chain is in good shape I am not taking any road trips. That said if I can get that all sorted quickly I might be able to make the journey for fuel costs which in my Diesel would be like $60.
You are right most basic readers won't give us much but its a place to start and really everyone should have one as they are under $50 heck the Bluetooth one i have was like $10. You just need one that supports CAN.
Limp mode is annoying but usually comes on so that way you can get the car off a highway or whatever and parked to be towed not really meant for driving more than that.
Without getting the car on a star system we won't really know whats going on. If my car didn't possibly need a new timing chain i would make the trip but until I know that the chain is in good shape I am not taking any road trips. That said if I can get that all sorted quickly I might be able to make the journey for fuel costs which in my Diesel would be like $60.
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2004 E320 4M
Indy as in a independent shop that works on Mercedes.
You are right most basic readers won't give us much but its a place to start and really everyone should have one as they are under $50 heck the Bluetooth one i have was like $10. You just need one that supports CAN.
Limp mode is annoying but usually comes on so that way you can get the car off a highway or whatever and parked to be towed not really meant for driving more than that.
Without getting the car on a star system we won't really know whats going on. If my car didn't possibly need a new timing chain i would make the trip but until I know that the chain is in good shape I am not taking any road trips. That said if I can get that all sorted quickly I might be able to make the journey for fuel costs which in my Diesel would be like $60.
You are right most basic readers won't give us much but its a place to start and really everyone should have one as they are under $50 heck the Bluetooth one i have was like $10. You just need one that supports CAN.
Limp mode is annoying but usually comes on so that way you can get the car off a highway or whatever and parked to be towed not really meant for driving more than that.
Without getting the car on a star system we won't really know whats going on. If my car didn't possibly need a new timing chain i would make the trip but until I know that the chain is in good shape I am not taking any road trips. That said if I can get that all sorted quickly I might be able to make the journey for fuel costs which in my Diesel would be like $60.
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From: VA
THE C350
I would say you would probably be find driving it slowly 5 miles or something but much over that would bother me if I didn't know what the issue was.
You don't happen to have a friend with AAA do you?
You don't happen to have a friend with AAA do you?
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2004 E320 4M
That I don't know for sure. I do have pretty comprehensive roadside assistance through my insurer (Allstate)
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2008 E350 4Matic
Regarding transmission issues, you're jumping the gun here, as what was mentioned about limp mode is that one of your sensors has identified an issue and is putting the car in a mode that prevents you from normally driving it.
When you get to the point of getting it diagnosed, if ANYBODY tells you that you need a new transmission, don't believe them.
IF, issues arise with the transmission, they are usually related to parts that can be easily replaced.
Start here... this is a multi-part series on the 722.6. A common issue is the electrical plate mounted above the valve body, which is a common weak point, and easily replaced. The point is that this transmission is nearly indestructible from a mechanical perspective with a few low cost exceptions (related to the valve body).
Review this series to become an educated MB owner, so at a minimum you can properly manage your repair, or best case, repair it yourself.
Good luck.
When you get to the point of getting it diagnosed, if ANYBODY tells you that you need a new transmission, don't believe them.
IF, issues arise with the transmission, they are usually related to parts that can be easily replaced.
Start here... this is a multi-part series on the 722.6. A common issue is the electrical plate mounted above the valve body, which is a common weak point, and easily replaced. The point is that this transmission is nearly indestructible from a mechanical perspective with a few low cost exceptions (related to the valve body).
Review this series to become an educated MB owner, so at a minimum you can properly manage your repair, or best case, repair it yourself.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
2004 E320 4M
Regarding transmission issues, you're jumping the gun here, as what was mentioned about limp mode is that one of your sensors has identified an issue and is putting the car in a mode that prevents you from normally driving it.
When you get to the point of getting it diagnosed, if ANYBODY tells you that you need a new transmission, don't believe them.
IF, issues arise with the transmission, they are usually related to parts that can be easily replaced.
Start here... this is a multi-part series on the 722.6. A common issue is the electrical plate mounted above the valve body, which is a common weak point, and easily replaced. The point is that this transmission is nearly indestructible from a mechanical perspective with a few low cost exceptions (related to the valve body).
Review this series to become an educated MB owner, so at a minimum you can properly manage your repair, or best case, repair it yourself.
Good luck.
When you get to the point of getting it diagnosed, if ANYBODY tells you that you need a new transmission, don't believe them.
IF, issues arise with the transmission, they are usually related to parts that can be easily replaced.
Start here... this is a multi-part series on the 722.6. A common issue is the electrical plate mounted above the valve body, which is a common weak point, and easily replaced. The point is that this transmission is nearly indestructible from a mechanical perspective with a few low cost exceptions (related to the valve body).
Review this series to become an educated MB owner, so at a minimum you can properly manage your repair, or best case, repair it yourself.
Good luck.
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Posts: 26
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2008 E350 4Matic
I'm not sure. What I am sure about, is my recent ABS/ESP Inoperative issue, which I fixed today, was due to my left rear ABS wheel speed sensor cable coming out of it's two holding points, and draping across the drive axle and getting it's insulation and wiring frayed to the point where it was making intermittent contact with the CAN bus. The system couldn't determine the speed of all four wheels so it shuts itself down.
Replacing the sensor on that wheel resolved my ABS/ESP/Power steering issue. $54 for a PEX sensor (PEX are made in Germany and Hungary and are the OEM for the major German automakers). The one I took off I think was made by Bosch for MB. The MB part is around $160.
I don't know if the transmission speed sensor plays into this system as well.
Did they both come on at the same exact time?
Replacing the sensor on that wheel resolved my ABS/ESP/Power steering issue. $54 for a PEX sensor (PEX are made in Germany and Hungary and are the OEM for the major German automakers). The one I took off I think was made by Bosch for MB. The MB part is around $160.
I don't know if the transmission speed sensor plays into this system as well.
Did they both come on at the same exact time?
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2004 E320 4M
Thank you. Very informative. I had auto zone run a scan since there's one quite close, I got two codes, P0720 and P0500. Vehicle speed output sensor or something like that. I've heard more often than not, it's an electrical issue of some sort which is a big relief because I've heard as much as $8,000 to replace the transmission. I'll take a look. Thanks again.
P0720 is output speed sensor circuit malfunction.
Not sure how exact of a diagnosis that is because it was an OBD scanner.
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2008 E350 4Matic
The ABS/ESP Inoperable indicators along with no assisted power steering and no cruise control are all tied into the ABS/ESP system... the ABS wheel speed sensors fit into the hub casing of each wheel, right behind the break dust shield. Try to look at the wiring of each sensor to see if there is something obvious like mine... where the wire was pulled out of both clips holding it in place and then wearing through the insulation from the drive axles. It will be obvious when you see it.
Did the check engine light and the ABS/ESP lights go on at the same time?
I don't know if the check engine light/transmission locked in 2nd gear and ABS/ESP issue are related... if they did go on at the same time, they may be related.
Did the check engine light and the ABS/ESP lights go on at the same time?
I don't know if the check engine light/transmission locked in 2nd gear and ABS/ESP issue are related... if they did go on at the same time, they may be related.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 23
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2004 E320 4M
The ABS/ESP Inoperable indicators along with no assisted power steering and no cruise control are all tied into the ABS/ESP system... the ABS wheel speed sensors fit into the hub casing of each wheel, right behind the break dust shield. Try to look at the wiring of each sensor to see if there is something obvious like mine... where the wire was pulled out of both clips holding it in place and then wearing through the insulation from the drive axles. It will be obvious when you see it.
Did the check engine light and the ABS/ESP lights go on at the same time?
I don't know if the check engine light/transmission locked in 2nd gear and ABS/ESP issue are related... if they did go on at the same time, they may be related.
Did the check engine light and the ABS/ESP lights go on at the same time?
I don't know if the check engine light/transmission locked in 2nd gear and ABS/ESP issue are related... if they did go on at the same time, they may be related.
Last edited by Nx04benz; Mar 22, 2015 at 08:59 PM.
Thread Starter
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2004 E320 4M
Alright, so no visible damage to any of the wheel sensors, however, I noticed two wires to all wheels except the rear passenger side, it has one, but doesn't appear to have a place for a second one and is slightly different looking than the drivers side. Is this normal? Also, I found an Indy shop with a star scanner, I have an appointment for Friday.
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2008 E350 4Matic
Well, certainly a proper diagnosis will help determine what issues you may have. Good luck with that... and remember if they tell you your transmission is shot and you need a new one, don't accept that.
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2004 E320 4M
Alright I had to put this project off to the side for a while, in the mean time I changed the FR coil spring as it snapped for no apparent reason, I also changed the valve cover gaskets because a small leak was developing. I've been doing a lot of research and have a few likely culprits of my ESP & ABS errors plus the check engine light. I have ABS wheel speed sensors on the way, hoping this is my problem. I've been told by more than one source that It's more than likely one of the RL or FL ABS speed sensors. If not, I've heard the brake light switch can cause this but my brake lights do light up when I press the pedal, although I've read that doesn't necessarily mean the switch is good (if anyone can confirm that I would be grateful) another possibility is the magnetic reluctor rings which I guess are at the end of the axles against the hub? I've seen more threads regarding problems like mine but typically these folks also have a BAS or ETS light along with it, I only have ABS and ESP malfunctions, plus a CEL. Has ANYONE had this problem? How did you fix it?
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2004 E320 4M
I changed one sensor tonight, didn't seem to resolve it. Going to try another tomorrow. Question is, if I were to replace a problem sensor how long would it take to know? Meaning will the error messages go away if that's the problem or does it need reset?
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E500
ESP, ABS, Malfunction after car wash...
I have aftermarket open honeycomb style wheels on my 06 E-500. Every time I wash my car and my brakes are directly in contact with water I can't shift the car in gear when trying to crank it. After the sensors appear to dry it allows me to shift in gear but then the steering is hard as if power steering is deactivated. The next day my car is back to normal. However the last car wash the same exact thing happened. However, this time when it allowed me to shift into gear the car seems to be driving only in 2nd gear. I've read a couple of threads here about limp mode. This maybe the current state. Can anyone tell me what the correlation is to washing the car (and assumingly getting water on some sensor on/around the brakes) with all these problems (no cruise control, ABS malfunction, ESP malfunction, and Transmission). All of these issues are somehow linked to when I wash my car. It's happening every time now. The transmission issue has me worried.
Last edited by johnsodd1; May 21, 2015 at 03:39 AM. Reason: Typos...
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CLS 550
Regarding transmission issues, you're jumping the gun here, as what was mentioned about limp mode is that one of your sensors has identified an issue and is putting the car in a mode that prevents you from normally driving it.
When you get to the point of getting it diagnosed, if ANYBODY tells you that you need a new transmission, don't believe them.
IF, issues arise with the transmission, they are usually related to parts that can be easily replaced.
Mercedes 722.6 Transmission Shifting Problems Part 1: Do I Really Need a Complete Rebuild? - YouTube
Start here... this is a multi-part series on the 722.6. A common issue is the electrical plate mounted above the valve body, which is a common weak point, and easily replaced. The point is that this transmission is nearly indestructible from a mechanical perspective with a few low cost exceptions (related to the valve body).
Review this series to become an educated MB owner, so at a minimum you can properly manage your repair, or best case, repair it yourself.
Good luck.
When you get to the point of getting it diagnosed, if ANYBODY tells you that you need a new transmission, don't believe them.
IF, issues arise with the transmission, they are usually related to parts that can be easily replaced.
Mercedes 722.6 Transmission Shifting Problems Part 1: Do I Really Need a Complete Rebuild? - YouTube
Start here... this is a multi-part series on the 722.6. A common issue is the electrical plate mounted above the valve body, which is a common weak point, and easily replaced. The point is that this transmission is nearly indestructible from a mechanical perspective with a few low cost exceptions (related to the valve body).
Review this series to become an educated MB owner, so at a minimum you can properly manage your repair, or best case, repair it yourself.
Good luck.
