Traction Control Light/ ESP Blinking Constantly while driving
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
2008 GL-550
Traction Control Light/ ESP Blinking Constantly while driving
Hi Guys, This is my first time posting on the forum, so here goes.
I am the owner of a small used car business. I took on trade a 2008 GL550 with 62k on it. The car needed some reconditioning, we did most of it and now ( or prior not sure) the traction control light comes on and goes off constantly while driving at highway speeds around 65-85 MPH.
We recently changed the main battery, right front strut, rack and pinon, stabilizer bar bushings.
We also did a new alignment after the rack and pinion job, and made sure the tires are all matching and are the correct size.
Note the PDC system is inop. The previous owner had changed the bumper cover due to a fender bender. I believe he got the wrong bumper cover. It looks exactly the same. However in 08 its a split year so there are 2 different applications. so the one he put on there has sensors that dont work. I tried to get the correct stuff based on the vin number, but correct sensors dont fit the bumper cover. so we gave up on that front.
The car is throwing no codes for the traction control light/ ESP system. We drove the car with the scanner on it while its blinking and it throws no codes. I have driven the car for 75 miles or so on the highway, just getting the darn thing to blink and it still wont throw any codes.
Me and my mechanic are at a stand still on this, we have no idea where to look next.
Any feedback will help.
Thanks
I am the owner of a small used car business. I took on trade a 2008 GL550 with 62k on it. The car needed some reconditioning, we did most of it and now ( or prior not sure) the traction control light comes on and goes off constantly while driving at highway speeds around 65-85 MPH.
We recently changed the main battery, right front strut, rack and pinon, stabilizer bar bushings.
We also did a new alignment after the rack and pinion job, and made sure the tires are all matching and are the correct size.
Note the PDC system is inop. The previous owner had changed the bumper cover due to a fender bender. I believe he got the wrong bumper cover. It looks exactly the same. However in 08 its a split year so there are 2 different applications. so the one he put on there has sensors that dont work. I tried to get the correct stuff based on the vin number, but correct sensors dont fit the bumper cover. so we gave up on that front.
The car is throwing no codes for the traction control light/ ESP system. We drove the car with the scanner on it while its blinking and it throws no codes. I have driven the car for 75 miles or so on the highway, just getting the darn thing to blink and it still wont throw any codes.
Me and my mechanic are at a stand still on this, we have no idea where to look next.
Any feedback will help.
Thanks
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
2008 GL-550
only when the ESP light blinks, it engages the system and cuts power, same as when you actually lose traction on a turn or due to a wet spot on the road.
It will somewhat hold speed as its constantly blinking, it feels like its engaging and disengaging constantly and allowing you to accelerate and then takes away your acceleration.
I have seen it occur at lower speeds as well, but it occurs almost always on highway speed.
When its not engaging, The car works fine.
It will somewhat hold speed as its constantly blinking, it feels like its engaging and disengaging constantly and allowing you to accelerate and then takes away your acceleration.
I have seen it occur at lower speeds as well, but it occurs almost always on highway speed.
When its not engaging, The car works fine.
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 336
Likes: 46
gl450 530i
You don't think it would be the difference in the height throwing off the system thinking it's slipping.... Seen that be the case many times when people try to just replace the front or rear
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
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The system is very forgiving. Your center diff will run a few degrees hotter and you might lose it eventually, but generally esp doesn't care about tire wear as long as tires are the same.
Real time values in ESP module will point to culprit. Do not keep driving the truck or you will also need brakes.
Real time values in ESP module will point to culprit. Do not keep driving the truck or you will also need brakes.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
2008 GL-550
I spoke with my mechanic, He is using the star scanner. He said that once it reaches higher speed (over 25-30 mph) there there is nothing from the ESP system. It dose not give any readings. He checked another 2010 GL that was at the shop and it does the same thing.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 20
GL550
We had this happen on our 2010 GL550 twice and it was a wheel speed sensor. From what I have read (mainly in this forum) it's a problem area and the it is NOT uncommon for the sensors to go bad. The left front was replaced under warranty in Jan 2013. The same error appeared again about three years later.
If you are interested, it was an easy replacement. I decided to replace both front sensors and forego any extensive troubleshooting (to determine which exact sensor was failing).
My logic was this: I could replace both sensors for around $90 total; or I could pay someone to troubleshoot and replace the single failing sensor for hundreds more.
The part number MB used for our initial failure (back in Jan 2013) was 164-440-55-41. Amazon has OEM units for ~$115. eBay has generic ones for $77 a pair!
Once I was done, we never had the problem again.
If you are interested, it was an easy replacement. I decided to replace both front sensors and forego any extensive troubleshooting (to determine which exact sensor was failing).
My logic was this: I could replace both sensors for around $90 total; or I could pay someone to troubleshoot and replace the single failing sensor for hundreds more.
The part number MB used for our initial failure (back in Jan 2013) was 164-440-55-41. Amazon has OEM units for ~$115. eBay has generic ones for $77 a pair!
Once I was done, we never had the problem again.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 20
GL550
I should have also mentioned that the first time it happened the brakes were being applied by themselves. You could hear the ABS pump working and we received the error message in the dash. You couldn't really drive the vehicle.
The second time, it was just the warning light (ESP) and no cruise control functionality.
The second time, it was just the warning light (ESP) and no cruise control functionality.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 336
Likes: 46
gl450 530i
I should have also mentioned that the first time it happened the brakes were being applied by themselves. You could hear the ABS pump working and we received the error message in the dash. You couldn't really drive the vehicle.
The second time, it was just the warning light (ESP) and no cruise control functionality.
The second time, it was just the warning light (ESP) and no cruise control functionality.
It was applying the brakes bc i taught it was slipping...id still saybif you have another gl swap tires and see if solves your issue
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 2
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ML320
The same thing just happened to me with W164: over 80 km/h blinking ESP and wont accelerate. The solution: once I turned off ESP the car was accelerating and drove normally. I drove it with esp off for some 15 kms, stopped to fill the tank, switched off the car and after I started it, havent had the issue any more. Drove some 200 kms since then and all looks normal, no blinking ESP or no acceleration over 80. Not sure, but maybe that turn off/turn on ESP thing helped.
