paulhu

I just purchased a pre-owned 2003 E500 this afternoon from a car dealer (NOT a Mercedes dealer). While I was on the highway, I tried to accelerate, all of a sudden the car lost power, and would not respond to the throttle. The engine was still idling, but the car had no power. I saw an error message - ESP malfunction. I pulled the car aside on the emergency lane, then I turned the car off and waited for a minute then turn on again. It was running normally until I was almost home. When I got off the exit, I step on the throttle to go up the ramp, the same problem happened again. The car lost power, began to stall, throttle would not respond. The ESP malfunction light come on. This time there is a check engine light on also. Again, I turned off the engine, waited a minute, then turn on. I drove very slowly until I got home. Tomorrow I am going to take this car to the local Merceds dealer to have it checked out. Has this happened to anyone?

Double Eagle

I've not had this happen but suggest you try switching the ESP off and accelerating to see if it runs OK. If it does, you would at least know the problem is "probably" ESP related. Let us know what your dealer says about this as it sounds dangerous.

BMcD-E500

Sorry to hear about that experience. I would also go right back to the dealer you purchased from and get some sort of reimbursement/satisfaction from them. While it may be under the MB warranty, they should not have sold something with that obvious of a problem.

I can hear it now - "Strange, it was running fine when we had it."

Good luck!

Bruce

fazooley

Sounds like your spark plugs are bad.

fazooley

DavidNJ

Actually, unless the car has over 50k miles, isn't still under new car warranty? If so, just take it to an MB dealer for the repair. Sounds like either an ESP problem (obviously) where it is erroneously cutting engine power or some other ECU problem.

lucky1

After it loses power you have to re-initialize ESP by turning the steering wheel left till the end, then right till the end. Engine off, engine on and the message is gone, ESP is working fine. No need to go to service for that.

l1

PS. I have second W211 and I experience many troubles with electronical systems, so I always carry a wrench (to disconnect battery and put it back on - sort of "reset").

tooputts

I had the same problem with a 2003 C32. In fact I had two C32 in one year, both had the same problem. MB service could never fix the problem. Now I have a CLK 55, no problems so far. Just for my information, what type of cell phone do you use use?

paulhu

This morning, before I drive to the dealership, I tried turning the steering wheel all the way to the right, then all the way to the left. I started to drive to the dealership (about 10 miles from my home). 2 miles before the dealership, my E500 lost power again, the ESP malfunction light comes one. I drove the car about 50 yards in limp mode (cannot accelerate, only in 2nd gear). I turned off the enginge, wait about 30 seconds, then started up the engine, drove to the dealership. I will find out this afternoon what the service department tells me.

paulhu

The local Mercedes dealer replaced the throttle valve, and it seemed to work. But then, it happend twice when I left the service department. I drove straight to the dealer where I bought the car (NOT Mercedes dealer), and requested my refund. I fill out the proper forms, and now I am waiting for my refund, and started to look for a newer model E500 (2004 or 2005).

BMcD-E500

Good move. Good luck. The right car is out there. Just be patient.

paulhu

Picked up a brand new 2004 E500 today from local MB dealer. Very happy !!!