Distronic Plus, Active Blind Spot Assist Inoperative
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 14
Likes: 3
From: Central Coast California
2015 GL63
Distronic Plus, Active Blind Spot Assist Inoperative
I have a 2015 GL63 (X166) with 108,5xx miles. Recently I started getting the following warnings immediately at startup (within seconds, no driving required):
- DISTRONIC PLUS Inoperative
- PRE-SAFE Functions Limited
- Active Blind Spot Assist Inoperative
Scanned the vehicle and found:
DTR – DISTRONIC (A89)
Code 69A100 – “The radar sensor has deviated to the right.”
My understanding is that A89 is the front long-range radar behind the Mercedes emblem in the grille. I inspected the emblem and radar area:
- Emblem is clear, not cracked or cloudy
- No visible movement or looseness
- Bracket appears intact
- No front-end impact history
- Nothing has been removed or adjusted
Because it sets instantly at ignition ON, I’m wondering:
- Is this typically an internal A89 radar failure?
- Could this be a calibration drift issue?
- Any other sensors I should check before assuming the radar module is bad?
- Has anyone seen 69A100 caused by something other than the front radar unit itself?
Appreciate any guidance before I start pricing a radar module.
Thanks in advance.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
S212, X166 AMG
No expert here, but sharing a recent experience. A few days ago I was driving and I got some of those warnings. Then I got an alert that the car was overheating and I should pull over immediately. The temperature gauge was pegged.
The first warning I got was a battery low warning, then the Distronic warning, etc.
Turns out it was the tensioner for the alternator. All that was caused by an electrical current issue.
Could it be a simple as your alternator going bad or something? Again, no expert here, but thought I’d share my experience in case it gives you a clue to solve your issue.
thanks
The first warning I got was a battery low warning, then the Distronic warning, etc.
Turns out it was the tensioner for the alternator. All that was caused by an electrical current issue.
Could it be a simple as your alternator going bad or something? Again, no expert here, but thought I’d share my experience in case it gives you a clue to solve your issue.
thanks
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 14
Likes: 3
From: Central Coast California
2015 GL63
@AustinOski Thanks for that information. My battery was getting weak. I replaced battery and got the alternator tested. The alternator is good. At least it read it was good. I was hoping the bad battery was causing all those alerts but it was not.
Still have these alerts. Any one else that give some input please.
Still have these alerts. Any one else that give some input please.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 490
From: Spain UTC/GMT +2 hours
W213 All-terrain
I have a 2015 GL63 (X166) with 108,5xx miles. Recently I started getting the following warnings immediately at startup (within seconds, no driving required):
- DISTRONIC PLUS Inoperative
- PRE-SAFE Functions Limited
- Active Blind Spot Assist Inoperative
Scanned the vehicle and found:
DTR – DISTRONIC (A89)
Code 69A100 – “The radar sensor has deviated to the right.”
My understanding is that A89 is the front long-range radar behind the Mercedes emblem in the grille. I inspected the emblem and radar area:
- Emblem is clear, not cracked or cloudy
- No visible movement or looseness
- Bracket appears intact
- No front-end impact history
- Nothing has been removed or adjusted
Because it sets instantly at ignition ON, I’m wondering:
- Is this typically an internal A89 radar failure?
- Could this be a calibration drift issue?
- Any other sensors I should check before assuming the radar module is bad?
- Has anyone seen 69A100 caused by something other than the front radar unit itself?
Appreciate any guidance before I start pricing a radar module.
Thanks in advance.
First, Faults Codes with " Current " mark can't be deleted because those are "current" meaning still present.
Second, even if you try or even if your generic tool delete this code, the calibration values will remain deep inside the radar.
If you are sure about the radar support (although in 99% of cases the support or the support of the support... is bent...or the front grille is not original) you can try to trigger a new Calibration procedure - this will erase the old values and will start to learn the new ones.
Distronic is a very complex system and is part of the safety feature, so I would not recommend to do any calibration without Xentry.
Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 120
Likes: 45
From: Buchanan, SK CANADA
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Multiple canbus messages MAY be legitimate but they may also be hallucinations caused by water ingress. Has the car recently been wet - driven through standing water, prolonged rain, slushy winter roads? If so suspect water ingress through the abysmally bad MB connectors which have elaborately Teutonic engineered o-ring mating surfaces paired with nickle plate pins that extend to the atmosphere and allow water to wick directly into the connected component.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 380
From: Texas
10 C six trizzle
I can almost guarantee your car has some sort of physical damage. The sensor is located directly behind the Star in the grill. Is your grill damaged or popped loose? Open the hood and look down there at it. The threshold is 3 degrees in any direction. Anything more and you get a code like this. The bracket for it is probably bent. The only cause for this fault would be if you're alignment was insanely out of whack and the truck dog tracks immensely. It's not an electrical issue as the fault doesn't state an electrical open / short / message fault - it says it's aimed wrong.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 14
Likes: 3
From: Central Coast California
2015 GL63
@bobofthenorth the only thing I could say is the car has been washed. I do hand wash the car. So I may take off the sensor and make sure no water has gone inside. Thank you for that advice.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 14
Likes: 3
From: Central Coast California
2015 GL63
@roadtalontsi the grill is not damaged. I haven’t hit anything. And the brackets looks secure in there. If I remove the sensor and reinstall it, will it need to be recalibrated? And I’m talking about the existing sensor.
thanks.
thanks.
