BAS/ESP and ETS warning lights
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, ON
2002 ML320 "Elegance", 2014 E350 sport sedan
BAS/ESP and ETS warning lights
Hi team,
I was driving in the snow today and I felt my ABS engage a couple of times - first snow in Toronto + unsalted streets & slushy snow.
Unfortunately, at the end of the trip, my BAS/ESP and ETS warning lights came on.
I remember I used to have these warning lights a few weeks ago, but my mechanic reset them saying they were pending or something after the car lost power once & so he reset them.
Now, given that the warning lights are back, I suspect it's a bigger issue.
But, I'm pretty sure the ABS does work and I felt it engage during the trip with the pulsating feeling.
Wondering what it could be really.
I was driving in the snow today and I felt my ABS engage a couple of times - first snow in Toronto + unsalted streets & slushy snow.
Unfortunately, at the end of the trip, my BAS/ESP and ETS warning lights came on.
I remember I used to have these warning lights a few weeks ago, but my mechanic reset them saying they were pending or something after the car lost power once & so he reset them.
Now, given that the warning lights are back, I suspect it's a bigger issue.
But, I'm pretty sure the ABS does work and I felt it engage during the trip with the pulsating feeling.
Wondering what it could be really.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 140
From: Westcoast/Interior
02w163ML500 / 97w210E50AMG / 99w202C230k / 95w124500e-wip
Hi team,
I was driving in the snow today and I felt my ABS engage a couple of times - first snow in Toronto + unsalted streets & slushy snow.
Unfortunately, at the end of the trip, my BAS/ESP and ETS warning lights came on.
I remember I used to have these warning lights a few weeks ago, but my mechanic reset them saying they were pending or something after the car lost power once & so he reset them.
Now, given that the warning lights are back, I suspect it's a bigger issue.
But, I'm pretty sure the ABS does work and I felt it engage during the trip with the pulsating feeling.
Wondering what it could be really.
I was driving in the snow today and I felt my ABS engage a couple of times - first snow in Toronto + unsalted streets & slushy snow.
Unfortunately, at the end of the trip, my BAS/ESP and ETS warning lights came on.
I remember I used to have these warning lights a few weeks ago, but my mechanic reset them saying they were pending or something after the car lost power once & so he reset them.
Now, given that the warning lights are back, I suspect it's a bigger issue.
But, I'm pretty sure the ABS does work and I felt it engage during the trip with the pulsating feeling.
Wondering what it could be really.
DID your mechanic provide you a printout or info on the saved codes before he reset the warning lights?
Have you done a search with the search button, on this forum?
There are several threads related to your issues. I would suggest reading thru them and tackling each one-by-one yourself to access.
I would also suggest you scan your suv to see what the codes are that are coming up.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, ON
2002 ML320 "Elegance", 2014 E350 sport sedan
Hello Gokul,
DID your mechanic provide you a printout or info on the saved codes before he reset the warning lights?
Have you done a search with the search button, on this forum?
There are several threads related to your issues. I would suggest reading thru them and tackling each one-by-one yourself to access.
I would also suggest you scan your suv to see what the codes are that are coming up.
DID your mechanic provide you a printout or info on the saved codes before he reset the warning lights?
Have you done a search with the search button, on this forum?
There are several threads related to your issues. I would suggest reading thru them and tackling each one-by-one yourself to access.
I would also suggest you scan your suv to see what the codes are that are coming up.
Hi Khomer,
Unfortunately, he didn't provide me a printout and I didn't enquire.
I read through similar posts on the forum about brake light switches causing the issue, but that doesn't seem to be my case as my mechanic said that work had been done on my car already as part of that recall.
There are similarities with other posts in the website, however, there are significant dissimilarities as well. For example, in most of those cases, the ABS warning light has come on as well. Whereas in my case, the ABS warning light has NOT come on, and I can confirm that my ABS does work properly with only the other 2 warning lights on.
And, when I restart the car, the warning lights disappear and appear again only randomly.
Last edited by Gokul; Nov 15, 2018 at 08:44 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 140
From: Westcoast/Interior
02w163ML500 / 97w210E50AMG / 99w202C230k / 95w124500e-wip
Hi Khomer,
.... my mechanic said that work had been done on my car already as part of that recall.
There are similarities with other posts in the website, however, there are significant dissimilarities as well. For example, in most of those cases, the ABS warning light has come on as well. Whereas in my case, the ABS warning light has NOT come on, and I can confirm that my ABS does work properly with only the other 2 warning lights on.
And, when I restart the car, the warning lights disappear and appear again only randomly.
.... my mechanic said that work had been done on my car already as part of that recall.
There are similarities with other posts in the website, however, there are significant dissimilarities as well. For example, in most of those cases, the ABS warning light has come on as well. Whereas in my case, the ABS warning light has NOT come on, and I can confirm that my ABS does work properly with only the other 2 warning lights on.
And, when I restart the car, the warning lights disappear and appear again only randomly.
Read up here if you havent yet and go thru these steps first.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
Likes: 33
From: Bay area - California
2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350
The ABS motor is at EOL...if it hasn't been replaced all these years...
I just resolved that issue on my 2000 ML320..the brushes had completely worn out. A rebuilt ABS module (cost $450)...took care of the problem.
I had the code C1401 registered in my ABS computer.
I had the code C1401 registered in my ABS computer.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, ON
2002 ML320 "Elegance", 2014 E350 sport sedan
Thanks for the replies guys.
I've got a new brake light switch. Will install that and see what happens - will observe it for a week or 10 days.
Generally, the problem appears once every 3-4 days and then dissappears when I restart the car.
I've got a new brake light switch. Will install that and see what happens - will observe it for a week or 10 days.
Generally, the problem appears once every 3-4 days and then dissappears when I restart the car.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
Likes: 33
From: Bay area - California
2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350
Check the error code when the lights set..
Replacing brake light switch will certainly not hurt.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
Likes: 33
From: Bay area - California
2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350
Brake Light Switch is defective by design
You need to know exactly what codes you are getting on the brake system computer to understand what could be going on.
Yaw rate sensor
Wheel speed sensor
ABS motor
Brake Light Switch
These are the most common causes of tripping the BAS/ETS & ABS lights.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, ON
2002 ML320 "Elegance", 2014 E350 sport sedan
Replacing it every 5-6 years does not hurt. It tends to go bad every few years.
You need to know exactly what codes you are getting on the brake system computer to understand what could be going on.
Yaw rate sensor
Wheel speed sensor
ABS motor
Brake Light Switch
These are the most common causes of tripping the BAS/ETS & ABS lights.
I've got the new brake light switch installed - since the warning comes up once every 5-10 days, I'll wait and watch to see if it illuminates again.
Today, I noticed the specific code during the clearing process (after brake switch swap) and it was C1200.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
Likes: 33
From: Bay area - California
2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350
If you keep gettin C1200 back
That code is related to yaw rate sensor and/or steering angle sensor.
I would first check & test replacimg/swapping all related fuses & relays (Relay K25) in particular.
Also check sll comnectors & wiring harnesses.
Next, I would try & reset steeering angle sensor.
At this age age of the car, it is not uncommon for those sensors to bad.
With C1200, yoir truck’s problem seems to be around those 2 sensors.
I would first check & test replacimg/swapping all related fuses & relays (Relay K25) in particular.
Also check sll comnectors & wiring harnesses.
Next, I would try & reset steeering angle sensor.
At this age age of the car, it is not uncommon for those sensors to bad.
With C1200, yoir truck’s problem seems to be around those 2 sensors.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, ON
2002 ML320 "Elegance", 2014 E350 sport sedan
Thanks a tonne for the help Mihir & Major.
I've got the new brake light switch installed - since the warning comes up once every 5-10 days, I'll wait and watch to see if it illuminates again.
Today, I noticed the specific code during the clearing process (after brake switch swap) and it was C1200.
I've got the new brake light switch installed - since the warning comes up once every 5-10 days, I'll wait and watch to see if it illuminates again.
Today, I noticed the specific code during the clearing process (after brake switch swap) and it was C1200.
Seems A-OK now.
