Hello,

I'm dealing with inconsistent electronic ignition switch issues and discovered the ESL module was already removed. Has anyone got tips on where the ESL bypass module might be hidden, or if another solution might have been implemented on my car! ?

Before I reassemble such as, the steering wheel and dashboard, I'm frustrated not being able to locate the bypass module! 😌
I been searching a lot this area! Also because I suspect there might be a wiring issue involved.

For context, I bought my E350CDI with over 200,000 km on it, and it's now approaching 300,000 km. It’s been running great, but some repairs are needed now, with this issue being a priority !

Thanks in advance for any advice (Pictures just for explanation as it is today)

 

Reach out to @S-Prihadi . I think he has disassembled his entire car at some point.

 

I am unsure what model is yours...
​​​​​​I have reworked my whole steering column and confirm facelift does not use an ESL module... to lock the electric rack.

Your issues need to be pin pointed with a SCANNER to begin with.
We can guess already it's not an ESL fault.

 

Thank you for your reply.
It´s E350 cdi, it is a AMG version, 2013 year model. 212.293
Yes, since ESL is not there ! I noted that it didn´t lock the steering wheel (I never thought of it before issue)
But the question remains, if it has been replaced with a bypass module I can´t find, or it might be some similar to your experience?
I had scanner on it before, but couldn't pinpoint the issue with codes. Got allite confused on them.
It´s some historie before and things checked, (alot to list right now)
I just wishing some could get me a advice about possible place where the bypass module could be, or if possible it's some other solution that could have been done. And you are into that in your reply.
Before I have looked a lot on videos and pictures from similar troubles, but not been able to see where wiring to ESL is coming from, more then it seems to follow the left side on steering column(I tried look at these again after discovering ESL wasn´t in place for seeing where wiring from ESL could come from)
A tips on where the wiring to ESL is coming from could help.
I have spent a lot off time checking the wires, from front and laying on back with head upto breaking pedal...
My thought is to reassemble so I can try turn Ignition again, and then aswell scan again for codes off course.

 

Only the models with Shifting Knob on central console has ESL FL or preFL

 

My E400 has no ESL too.

What makes you think your car has an ESL electric steering lock ? You car by pedal photo is an automatic tranny and not a manual ( stick-shift )


Here is a video of how W204 which has the ESL is then by-passed and an emulator is placed to fool the car into thinking there is still an ESL.

 

Yes it´s automatic and has shifter on right side of steering wheel, not on middle console as the w204 in video. (as trigital told)
I was pretty sure it should have one as a lot off information I looked up seemed to point at this is common problem on W212 as well.
It´s seems as I might have got stock in totally wrong direction !

 

I have seen W212 with the dreaded steering lock using a $15 electric motor. However, my 2014 does not have one either -> There is nothing hidden if there was never one in the car.

My guess that 2010/2011 may have had the mechanical steering lock, and those went away about the same time the M272/M273 engines were replaced by the M276/M278/M157. Not only did the engine change w/o a facelift, but also some electronics.

 

It's quite complicated to install everything back correctly so maybe you can try to connect electrically at least all the components back and to find a pattern for this non starting issue.

 

ok, we seem to agree ESL is a non issue on your chassis... solderless EIS is the perfect suspect here.
The ignition switch acts as a remote control for F-SAM that actually switches power unlike the key slot.

 

Thanks for your replies, all! I've been reassembling the car but had to pause due to the medical treatment I'm going through for a blood disease. Your insights helped me refocus after getting confused by too much information for my current status. I hope to continue today and update you after I try turning the key again. Maybe this failure, which wasn't consistent, has disappeared... or I might discover I've added a new problem, who knows...
Sorry for the delay, and your support means a lot
Maybe it's simply the EIS after all, I had some visual look at it before time I posted in forum. I update after I find out the state of my car issue

 

1-- make sure you have the whole chassis powered down when disconnecting these major modules

2-- then reset faults that may have been created during repair procedure.

 

Yes I was aware it's not Plug and Play... (I know I didn't make the best impression by being stuck looking for ESL emulator on a model that shouldn't have a ESL) But I'm also happy to learn more and better, normally this is something I really like to do by my self.
I have reassembled to a point I was ready to connect battery again, and: turn key ! I made some checks on the way and try to be careful (shaking hands due to treatment isn't appreciated)
--And Ignition has been working! (few tests, on and off, in/out and all ok,
But I ain't finished assembling and the questions remains, who/why? So it's no win yet...
I just post some thoughts without deeper understanding now.
*It might be luck,
*earlier, when I inspected ignition lock visually I took plastic cover off (treated it carefully as I could, like any computer part) and discovered dust and other particles (nothing I suspected is from else then outside/car interiör with time) that shouldn't be there, vacuum cleaned carefully away.
*Some reset effekt? The battery had been disconnected for several days from the car. (???) However nothing in the system memory seemed to be like, some lost information, att first point. I guess also if the system lost information I could be in bigger trouble.
*Brakeswitch ! This one I had as little suspected before (ESL catastrophic search) ESP warning have I think always showed up when ignition was showing first problems.>> I haven't connected Brakeswich yet !
I got warning lamp for airbag as well, (If that is a trouble I got from this, I feel I will deal with it later) But to mention, when key/ignition lock started working unconscious I could se warning about airbag in instrument cluster, I remember that. But ESP warning was a much more common memorie. And now I have tyre pressure warning as well at my instrumental cluster

My plan is to continue now, *Brakeswitch (at pedal) *connect scanner (yes I try to get codes away that could only be made with this dis and reconnecting procedur) and..try be there... when ignition lock gets unconscious again and understand why.

I have att hand now, The icarsoft MB 2.0 reader. I had a better version of Icarsoft att hand, in Juni when this got suddenly to be major issue, If some codes I got previously will turn out to be of use, (att that time they didn't help me, but it was maybe becouse off lack off knowledge) They are saved somewhere. (this foult startet to be a real trouble in juni, after that I mostly been using another car hoping to get the right time for my repair)

 

give us the latest complete scan report with descriptions when you're ready.
Active faults will help you guess where to focus.

brake sw status can be read with scanner without replacing good parts.
🤞

 

I would advise to verify with the scanner the MRM (the steering wheel angle sensor from module behind the wheel) if installed correctly.

 

Help us understand what do you need help with ...?
Your car has no ESL and is currently running without error codes.


We offered to look at a chassis error report to further help.

Your SRS issue may be a safety concern - Disconnect all battery power when handling airbag to prevent dangerous accidental deployment.