dubyatwoeleven

Gents,

2003 E500 (sport)

Hey gents! My Highway Panzer is showing the above mentioned error.

The car starts fine, drives and brakes well.
In addition to the warning, I don't have access to any function that is on the steering wheel: High beams, cruise control, wipers, menu scroll etc.

Troubleshooting I've done: I replaced the battery, checked for blown fuses (couldn't find a fuse that mentioned steering- under the hood or in the passenger comp.) and operated the wheel lock to lock. No joy.

I've read several threads but couldn't find anything specific to this. That said...I easily could have overlooked it.

Anyone have an immediate shot on goal?

Thanks so much,
DB

rapidoxidation

Shot on goal: Star diagnostics. Anything else is guesswork.

dubyatwoeleven

I suppose you are right.
There was a shadow of a chance that someone would respond with: "Oh yeah...no problem. Pump the brake pedal 4 times, open the passenger door half way and then sacrifice a chicken....all set."

I had to take the chance.

cetialpha5

Nope, you've got a strange one. It's not a standard type of error. Either take it to the dealer or get your own scanner. Either Autel Diaglink (DIY version of MD802) for about $110 on Amazon or the iCarsoft scanner.

Also in addition to replacing the battery, you also replaced the aux battery? If it's an electrical problem did you check the alternator? There's also a battery control module that could also go bad. When lots of unrelated systems go bad, it's usually some kind of electrical problem.

dubyatwoeleven

I haven't changed the accessory battery...but probably should have.

I just ran out and checked voltage on the Aux Battery. Above 12v not running ; Over 14 running. Seems fine.

Any fuses that could be blown? I've checked all of those in the passenger compartment.

kajtek1

That was HUGE joke not much farther than 15 years ago and how much of reality it become?
Now when having good scanner makes things much easier, in lack of one you can pull the wheels and see if the speed sensors are not damages or have lot of dirt on them. Also reluctor rings.

cetialpha5

I really doubt it's something to do with ESP, as you have many other problems that seem to point to something else. If it was just ESP, it would just be the cruise control, stability and antilocks which wouldn't work. But all those other issues seem to say something else. If it was pure ESP, then either the steering angle sensor, yaw sensor, one of the wheel speeds sensor or reluctor rings or the brake light switch. But if you had it scanned, it would narrow all that down for you. I did the steering angle sensor on mine a while ago, the scanner told me it was a bad steering angle sensor. Your problem I think is some other kind of electrical problem, only way to narrow it down is to get it scanned.

RCrabtr2

This is a common issue with the E Class, try holding down the ESP button for 3 seconds and see if that clears the warning. If it doesnt, what I did in my E500 was to have the vehicle running. I turned the wheel hard to the left and then hard right 4-5x and then turned the car off. I waited about 5 min and started it up and the error had cleared. Hope this helps!

dubyatwoeleven

Good deal. Going today. Thanks for the post.

I'll reply with what they find.

cetialpha5

If you're going to the dealer, don't forget to sign up for the $130 off $250+ service coupon which is good til June 15th.

https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/service_special/fb2018

dubyatwoeleven

Thanks for the heads up!
I have a trusted Independent that I take it to. He's been in business for over 60 years...
Cool guy and shop.

dubyatwoeleven

Took it to my local shop- they plugged it into the magic machine and viola!

"Horn contact ring" or something I'll know more about tomorrow.

The car is fixed and ready to roll...no error messages.


Crazy.

rapidoxidation

Thanks for the follow-through update! It'll help someone else soon enough.

dubyatwoeleven

You bet!