2013 GL350 Bluetec - ESP/Traction Issue ?
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9
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From: Sydney, Australia
2013 GL350 Bluetec / 2014 S350 Bluetec
2013 GL350 Bluetec - ESP/Traction Issue ?
Hi guys, been a while since I've posted here, but I'm still stumped trying to resolve an intermittent issue on my 2013 GL350 Bluetec.
A little difficult to describe - the car has an intermittent and momentary "cut-off", not more than a second, when making a turn (most often on right turns I've noticed).
It feels similar to the traction control activating when it shouldn't, and no traction lights/warnings appear on the dash.
I have attached a portion of my scan report. The notable codes I think may be relevant are:
KI-Instrument cluster
U012187 - Stored - Communication with ESP has a malfunction. The message is missing.
EZS-Electronic ignition lock
U012287 - Stored(Event) - Communication with control unit 'Traction system' has a malfunction. The message is missing.
It has also given transmission slip codes more recently (codes in report attached).
During my ownership of the car, the 2 codes have always popped up, however no 'traction' issues were experienced previously.
Now I'm getting the 'cut-off' symptom, and when trying to 'force' the symptoms it sometimes creates the transmission slip/gear implausible codes as well with check engine light, that eventually goes out under normal driving.
I suspect the car may have been involved in a minor front accident in it's previous ownership, as it had a bent radar sensor bar behind the grill (that required repair to recalibrate the blind spot sensors etc).
Searching the above codes online has a couple of references to codes coming up after accidents (but without any clear answers I've found).
Where do I even begin?
Thanks in advance!
A little difficult to describe - the car has an intermittent and momentary "cut-off", not more than a second, when making a turn (most often on right turns I've noticed).
It feels similar to the traction control activating when it shouldn't, and no traction lights/warnings appear on the dash.
I have attached a portion of my scan report. The notable codes I think may be relevant are:
KI-Instrument cluster
U012187 - Stored - Communication with ESP has a malfunction. The message is missing.
EZS-Electronic ignition lock
U012287 - Stored(Event) - Communication with control unit 'Traction system' has a malfunction. The message is missing.
It has also given transmission slip codes more recently (codes in report attached).
During my ownership of the car, the 2 codes have always popped up, however no 'traction' issues were experienced previously.
Now I'm getting the 'cut-off' symptom, and when trying to 'force' the symptoms it sometimes creates the transmission slip/gear implausible codes as well with check engine light, that eventually goes out under normal driving.
I suspect the car may have been involved in a minor front accident in it's previous ownership, as it had a bent radar sensor bar behind the grill (that required repair to recalibrate the blind spot sensors etc).
Searching the above codes online has a couple of references to codes coming up after accidents (but without any clear answers I've found).
Where do I even begin?
Thanks in advance!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
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From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
One fix away from greater...
Hi guys, been a while since I've posted here, but I'm still stumped trying to resolve an intermittent issue on my 2013 GL350 Bluetec.
A little difficult to describe - the car has an intermittent and momentary "cut-off", not more than a second, when making a turn (most often on right turns I've noticed).
It feels similar to the traction control activating when it shouldn't, and no traction lights/warnings appear on the dash.
I have attached a portion of my scan report. The notable codes I think may be relevant are:
KI-Instrument cluster
U012187 - Stored - Communication with ESP has a malfunction. The message is missing.
EZS-Electronic ignition lock
U012287 - Stored(Event) - Communication with control unit 'Traction system' has a malfunction. The message is missing.
It has also given transmission slip codes more recently (codes in report attached).
During my ownership of the car, the 2 codes have always popped up, however no 'traction' issues were experienced previously.
Now I'm getting the 'cut-off' symptom, and when trying to 'force' the symptoms it sometimes creates the transmission slip/gear implausible codes as well with check engine light, that eventually goes out under normal driving.
I suspect the car may have been involved in a minor front accident in it's previous ownership, as it had a bent radar sensor bar behind the grill (that required repair to recalibrate the blind spot sensors etc).
Searching the above codes online has a couple of references to codes coming up after accidents (but without any clear answers I've found).
Where do I even begin?
Thanks in advance!
A little difficult to describe - the car has an intermittent and momentary "cut-off", not more than a second, when making a turn (most often on right turns I've noticed).
It feels similar to the traction control activating when it shouldn't, and no traction lights/warnings appear on the dash.
I have attached a portion of my scan report. The notable codes I think may be relevant are:
KI-Instrument cluster
U012187 - Stored - Communication with ESP has a malfunction. The message is missing.
EZS-Electronic ignition lock
U012287 - Stored(Event) - Communication with control unit 'Traction system' has a malfunction. The message is missing.
It has also given transmission slip codes more recently (codes in report attached).
During my ownership of the car, the 2 codes have always popped up, however no 'traction' issues were experienced previously.
Now I'm getting the 'cut-off' symptom, and when trying to 'force' the symptoms it sometimes creates the transmission slip/gear implausible codes as well with check engine light, that eventually goes out under normal driving.
I suspect the car may have been involved in a minor front accident in it's previous ownership, as it had a bent radar sensor bar behind the grill (that required repair to recalibrate the blind spot sensors etc).
Searching the above codes online has a couple of references to codes coming up after accidents (but without any clear answers I've found).
Where do I even begin?
Thanks in advance!
The issue is perfectly summarized in OP. 👍
Now you've gone as far as one can go using conventional tools.
There's 90% chance your troubles come from EZS bus gateway. It's quietly seending chaos on the high speed ECU/TCU/ESP VIP CANBus-C.
> Take 30mn to resolder its loose pins and provide it with good ground.
Then you'll discover how this great tranny can shift seamlessly super-fast, always in sync with the engine work.
Fixing this will reward your excellent troubleshooting skills.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Nov 9, 2023 at 08:02 PM.
