fazalamg

Hi folks,

I got this W211 E55 AMG 2004 with 100k miles just a month ago and have been enjoying it so far. However, I got the STOP brake power reduced in all red display popped-up as I came back from my run and almost reached home. (It popped up while I was parking and the brake power was actually reduced). I tried to restart the car and moved a bit forward and reversed , it didn't go and my brake performance was very low.
I knew it was the SBC brake pump failure thing so I didn't freak out since I know that it is covered under warranty for 25years.
After 2 days I went back to the car and started it just being curious of the brake situation and with the intention to take a picture of the warning message and research about it, and for some reason the warning message vanished and the brake power is restored magically. (couldn't take a picture)
I took it for a spin just to be sure about the braking power in the parking lot itself but it seems totally normal. Now, I am worried to drive it. I got an appointment with the dealership for the diagnostics in like 5 weeks from now.
And I bet it doesn't have much to do with the brake counter or else it the message wouldn't have disappeared.
I have a couple of questions on this:

1. Will the STAR diagnostics still show the vanished warning message to them ? I don't want them to send me back saying everything is fine without getting it completely fixed.
2. If it doesn't show on the Star diagnostics , how should I convince them to replace the under warranty SBC pump?
3. why would the message disappear and the brake power restored automatically ? I have checked the SBC pump cable and the connections all look fine.
4. How can I know if the pump has been replaced by previous owners already? (Attaching the serial nos of the pump)
6. 
   
   
   

bbirdwell

The failure code is stored. Take it immediately to a dealership, preferably by flatbed truck. Let them repair it under warranty. Do not try to clear any failure codes on your own. Intermittent failures are the worst and will occur at the most inopportune times. If you attempt to drive it yourself, be prepared to place your left foot on the parking brake and use the paddle shifters to downshift the transmission as rapidly as possible before you ram into the rear of a car in front of you. When the SBC fails, you only have unassisted hydraulic pressure to the two front calipers; you literally have to stand on the brake pedal to slow the car down.

The dealer has access to service records which will show the car's previous repairs.

nd-photo.nl

Exactly this, please be safe. Read about my SBC failure here: https://mbworld.org/forums/c219/8443...ml#post8765392

Don't clear any code, bring it in and let them investigate it

Odd Piggy

The warning for the cycle counter is different from that for a hard failure. If you got the "red dashboard of death" one of the sensors detected a hard failure. This is often the pressure unit leaking or the pump unable to maintain proper pressure.
Don't drive it.
Call the dealer and press them to take it in earlier than the 5 weeks you were given. Most dealers will accommodate because it's a safety issue.

fazalamg

I test drove the car today in the parking lot, everything seems to be fine so far. i am not gonna drive it on the roads though, waiting for my appointment with the dealership. Thanks for all your responses. Will update you when I take it there.

2MERKS

Wow! As to what the masses said call complain how the brake issue have upset you household, work, ability to earn money, and every other complaint under the sun!
R,
2Merks

fazalamg

Yeah, I will call them on monday and see if they will take it in. I am actually missing out on the fun you know

fazalamg

I got the call from the dealership regarding the hydraulic unit replacement and this is what they have done :

2MERKS

Awesome news! Gotta stay on them and not let them off the hook for nothing!
R,
2Merks

nd-photo.nl

Awesome, they did the same on my car but I could not get this document for my own documentation. It can always be found in the registration from MB, but I'd rather also have this stored in my own documentation