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ESC Inoperative Error

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Old May 22, 2015 | 12:49 PM
  #1  
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
ESC Inoperative Error

I received the ESC Inoperative Error (Orange Light) about 3 times since owning my vehicle. I believe in all 3 instances, I was pushing the pedal and accelerating pretty hard.

The car basically feels like it hits a wall when this error comes on. I have to pull over to the side of the road and restart the car. All then returns to normal.

This has happened to me 2 times on dry road and 1 time on wet road. I guess the wheels slip when accelerating too hard thereby causing this error?

I'm not sure, but it's dangerous for the car to just suddenly slow down like that when the error does occur.
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Old May 22, 2015 | 01:48 PM
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I get the little triangle warning light that flashes sometimes when I smash the pedal, but I've never felt a change in response and no light has stayed on.

Have you had it checked out?
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Old May 22, 2015 | 01:53 PM
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Originally Posted by thefisch
I get the little triangle warning light that flashes sometimes when I smash the pedal, but I've never felt a change in response and no light has stayed on.

Have you had it checked out?
Yes, that's the light I get. I haven't checked it out yet. I rather not go to the stealership until I have some ideas on what it could be, or until it happens more often. Right now the only pattern I see is aggressive shifting causing the issue. If I drive "normal", that light won't turn on. However, I don't want to get into a situation where this light is coming on in the snow and when the roads are slippery.

My car is Renntech tuned so I'm not sure if that makes a difference with what is happening...
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Old May 22, 2015 | 02:10 PM
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Not sure about the tune, but it seems you only get the error when ESC has been engaged due to some slippage. That would seem that there is a fault in the ESC that isn't apparent until it tries to correct or compensate for the traction issue. To me that means that your traction control is bad. The system should engage, make its adjustments and then disengage but yours get stuck and gives you the error while you're stuck driving in limp mode. Don't know if that makes your car less safe to drive in poor traction situations or not but you should look into it.

Do you have the equipment to reflash the stock tune and test to see if the same error occurs? If you don't get the error without the tune, then you know there must be some conflict with the tune when ESC tries to do it's thing. If the same error happens, then your ESC could be bad.
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Old May 22, 2015 | 02:21 PM
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Originally Posted by thefisch
Not sure about the tune, but it seems you only get the error when ESC has been engaged due to some slippage. That would seem that there is a fault in the ESC that isn't apparent until it tries to correct or compensate for the traction issue. To me that means that your traction control is bad. The system should engage, make its adjustments and then disengage but yours get stuck and gives you the error while you're stuck driving in limp mode. Don't know if that makes your car less safe to drive in poor traction situations or not but you should look into it.

Do you have the equipment to reflash the stock tune and test to see if the same error occurs? If you don't get the error without the tune, then you know there must be some conflict with the tune when ESC tries to do it's thing. If the same error happens, then your ESC could be bad.
Nope, don't have that equipment. This might be a silly question, but can the dealer scan/check my car and find out what is happening? I'm accustomed to an error light/code staying on my car and then having it checked out if the error light doesn't disappear after a reset of the battery and all. That's what I did with my Japanese cars.

Also, do you know if our cars warn us if we have a low battery? This is my first Mercedes.
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Old May 22, 2015 | 02:33 PM
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Supposedly these computer save error codes in a log. When I bought mine and had the PPI done at the dealer, they gave me a list of error codes from earlier years. Not that it was much help as they didn't really take the time to help me interpret them and the car was fine anyway.

There is no warning for low main battery. I have to jump my car a few times already. Comand will give you a warning if you continue to use it after the car is off. However, I gotten that warning and had no issue with starting the car later on. My battery escapades are documented in some other threads on here.

There is an auxiliary battery in the dash for the electronic transmission shifter. The car does give a warning to replace that. So far (knock on wood) I haven't gotten that one.
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Old May 22, 2015 | 02:42 PM
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Originally Posted by thefisch
Supposedly these computer save error codes in a log. When I bought mine and had the PPI done at the dealer, they gave me a list of error codes from earlier years. Not that it was much help as they didn't really take the time to help me interpret them and the car was fine anyway.

There is no warning for low main battery. I have to jump my car a few times already. Comand will give you a warning if you continue to use it after the car is off. However, I gotten that warning and had no issue with starting the car later on. My battery escapades are documented in some other threads on here.

There is an auxiliary battery in the dash for the electronic transmission shifter. The car does give a warning to replace that. So far (knock on wood) I haven't gotten that one.
Let's see how much they charge me to "diagnose" and pull codes. I'll give them a call after the holiday weekend. Thanks for the info on this and the battery.
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Old May 22, 2015 | 02:47 PM
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If you have any independent mechanics around, you might be able to talk to them about the issue to see if they can help at a lower cost.

I know where you're coming from - if the light isn't on when I take it in then I am usually wasting my time.
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Old May 22, 2015 | 02:51 PM
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Originally Posted by thefisch
If you have any independent mechanics around, you might be able to talk to them about the issue to see if they can help at a lower cost.

I know where you're coming from - if the light isn't on when I take it in then I am usually wasting my time.
Yep, I'll check that option out. Yes, wasting time + money for them to say "nothing is wrong".
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 12:12 AM
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Originally Posted by g4benz
Yep, I'll check that option out. Yes, wasting time + money for them to say "nothing is wrong".
So I finally got this checked out by Indy Benz mechanic today. First when he scanned my computer, it came up with zero codes. I then decided to take the car out for a spin and force the "esc inoperative" error to occur. The easy way to do this is to smash the pedal down from a stop sign. So, I forced the error to occur and drove the car in limp mode back to the tech. The tech then scanned my car again while the esc inoperative error was still on. Here is what the code said:

P0872 (0872) Fault of function monitor in electronic accelerator (p2638).

I know from prior research people with this same esc inoperative error had it fixed by changing the accelerator pedal (gas pedal) or steering angle column sensor. It seems the code above points to the pedal? The tech didn't know offhand so he said he would do some research and get back to me.

Any ideas or thoughts on the code? I also read that the mass airflow sensor could play a part...
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 03:24 AM
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I believe this has something to do with the sensors on the accelerator pedal. I've got this problem once before and the dealer did something to the pedal. Subsequent to that, the error never pop out.
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 09:13 AM
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Originally Posted by Royce118
I believe this has something to do with the sensors on the accelerator pedal. I've got this problem once before and the dealer did something to the pedal. Subsequent to that, the error never pop out.
That's what it looks like to me too. The funny thing is that the dealer changed the pedal back in 2012 too as per the previous owners records. I'll keep everyone posted.
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by g4benz
I received the ESC Inoperative Error (Orange Light) about 3 times since owning my vehicle. I believe in all 3 instances, I was pushing the pedal and accelerating pretty hard.
Give Renntech a call “may” need ECU update.
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 11:55 AM
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Originally Posted by konigstiger
Give Renntech a call “may” need ECU update.
I did it doesn't seem like their issue at this time...they said a tune shouldn't have any affect on esc.
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by g4benz
I did it doesn't seem like their issue at this time...they said a tune shouldn't have any affect on esc.
They need to confirm no MB updates are available.
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 12:07 PM
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Sprintbooster will cause this

Do you also have that?

If not you just need a new accelerator pedal ... Should be under warranty
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 01:29 PM
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Originally Posted by PeterUbers
Sprintbooster will cause this

Do you also have that?

If not you just need a new accelerator pedal ... Should be under warranty
I think the pedal is the solution too. Now I heard that some people buy just the pedal vs the pedal assembly?? My car is 2010 year and 58000 miles. It should be out of warranty. The pedal was changed by a dealer back in 2012. I'm assuming for the same issue. I don't think I have a sprint booster.
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 02:20 PM
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Originally Posted by g4benz
I think the pedal is the solution too. Now I heard that some people buy just the pedal vs the pedal assembly?? My car is 2010 year and 58000 miles. It should be out of warranty. The pedal was changed by a dealer back in 2012. I'm assuming for the same issue. I don't think I have a sprint booster.
I think you need the entire assembly that contains the circuit board in it and multi pin connector

Sprintbooster will be a small piggyback looking cable to the side of the pedal... It can be very discrete
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 02:28 PM
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Originally Posted by PeterUbers
I think you need the entire assembly that contains the circuit board in it and multi pin connector

Sprintbooster will be a small piggyback looking cable to the side of the pedal... It can be very discrete
Yes after you posted earlier I went and checked for a sprint booster cable and could not find one. Any idea of cost of the assembly? I will search online. Thanks.
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 02:39 PM
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Originally Posted by g4benz
Yes after you posted earlier I went and checked for a sprint booster cable and could not find one. Any idea of cost of the assembly? I will search online. Thanks.
To give you and idea

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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by g4benz
I did it doesn't seem like their issue at this time...they said a tune shouldn't have any affect on esc.
Read this: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w212...sg-before.html

If steadfast in replacing, accelerator pedal is part # 2043001104 (confirm with VIN).
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 02:44 PM
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Originally Posted by PeterUbers
To give you and idea

Thanks.
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 02:47 PM
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Originally Posted by konigstiger
Read this: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w212...sg-before.html

If steadfast in replacing, accelerator pedal is part # 2043001104 (confirm with VIN).
Yes I read that forum before. The reason I am going for the pedal is because the star system pointed to it. I think I will change that first and see if it fixes the issue.

How hard is this to do myself? I'll look for a YouTube video.
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Old Apr 15, 2016 | 03:21 PM
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2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Looks like 2 nuts and a plug and play connector. Should be a simple replacement. The dealer quoted me 160 plus tax for the pedal assembly.
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Old Jul 23, 2016 | 11:48 AM
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Did replacing the pedal work for you? I replaced mine and took it for a test drive at night...went over a hump in the road and esc inoperable message appeared again...took a right turn with little deceleration, message appeared...
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