BAS/ESP Issue
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Australia
W204 2008 & W163 1999
BAS/ESP Issue
Just wondering is anyone could help with a W163 issue whereby when I start the car in the mornings, it will light up. But after driving for 30m+, it will disappear (not light up) anymore until the next day. I had tested this over 5 days in a row and consistent each day other than the driving time whereby it varied from 30 minutes to 3 hours. But the result was the same that once the lights are out, it would stay out for the rest of the day. When starting the car, yes it would light up and then disappear as if checking the status.
I havent checked ABS cabling yet or the battery leads --> https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/...-fault.220952/
I am a beginner DIYer and this has been my biggest headache so far with the project car - changing all 4 lower ball joint without a castellated nut is easy compared to finding this problem!
Anyone point me if I am going in the right/wrong direction - trying to do and learn as much before sending things to local garage to fix.
- Changed the Brake Light (MB-A0015458709 New)
- Changed Steering Sensor (1634600149 Used)
- Lock reset hard left/right does NOT make the light disappear
- Checked all fuses (not K29 Relay)
- ODB2 showed no errors (yes I know doesnt mean there are no errors)
- Took to local Garage for 4-wheel Alignment
I havent checked ABS cabling yet or the battery leads --> https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/...-fault.220952/
I am a beginner DIYer and this has been my biggest headache so far with the project car - changing all 4 lower ball joint without a castellated nut is easy compared to finding this problem!
Anyone point me if I am going in the right/wrong direction - trying to do and learn as much before sending things to local garage to fix.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Australia
W204 2008 & W163 1999
Thanks Maj.
Checked battery this morning was steady at 13.22V over 3 times within 30 minutes (is that bad being high?) and 14.23V on idle once I start the car post to post test. Battery at 13.2+-0.1 after the hour drive around block.
I drove around the block for 30 mins at speeds under 50 kmh (~30 mph), BAS/ESP stayed on.
Drove about 2 km (1.2 miles) at about 60-80 kmh (40-50 mph) and pulled over with BAS/ESP still on. Turned engine off, waited 30s and turned on again and BAS/ESP went off.
Drove back home and found after about 100m/yards, light switched on again. Pulled over, engine off/on and light went off again. Drove another 100m same thing this time I was driving straight with only the accelerator/gas pedal to maintain speed.
Ill try driving again in a few hours to test if the light stays off.
Ignored the light and drove another 10 minutes to get home around 50 kmh. Pulled up at home turned engine off/on and light went off. Drove around the block again, light now stays off.
I checked errors and the following now shows - O2 cant be related to BAS/ESP could it?:
EDIT: Started the car again around 2 hours later - battery 13.13V. BAS/ESP light remains off after starting engine.
Checked battery this morning was steady at 13.22V over 3 times within 30 minutes (is that bad being high?) and 14.23V on idle once I start the car post to post test. Battery at 13.2+-0.1 after the hour drive around block.
I drove around the block for 30 mins at speeds under 50 kmh (~30 mph), BAS/ESP stayed on.
Drove about 2 km (1.2 miles) at about 60-80 kmh (40-50 mph) and pulled over with BAS/ESP still on. Turned engine off, waited 30s and turned on again and BAS/ESP went off.
Drove back home and found after about 100m/yards, light switched on again. Pulled over, engine off/on and light went off again. Drove another 100m same thing this time I was driving straight with only the accelerator/gas pedal to maintain speed.
Ill try driving again in a few hours to test if the light stays off.
Ignored the light and drove another 10 minutes to get home around 50 kmh. Pulled up at home turned engine off/on and light went off. Drove around the block again, light now stays off.
I checked errors and the following now shows - O2 cant be related to BAS/ESP could it?:
- P0141 O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Bank1 Sensor 2
- P0161 O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 2
EDIT: Started the car again around 2 hours later - battery 13.13V. BAS/ESP light remains off after starting engine.
Last edited by zolthar; Nov 19, 2022 at 10:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Australia
W204 2008 & W163 1999
Yup, hits a pain to trace as its such a generic problem from all the resources Im reading! Ill keep posting what Im doing and hopefully it "could" be similar to your issues or at least help you in tackling your issue 
Would anyone be able to help determine which part number as I dont know which is the unit I require as it appears there is a Pre and Post Catalytic sensor and I know I need the post-cat.
I have found these part numbers: A001542817 or A0005408117
But given mine is a 163.154 which is an engine 112.942 - Most of what I am finding are for the newer 113.xxx engines. So I am not certain if it makes any difference as part number also appears generic amongst Mercedes and other manufacturers.
I have found these part numbers: A001542817 or A0005408117
But given mine is a 163.154 which is an engine 112.942 - Most of what I am finding are for the newer 113.xxx engines. So I am not certain if it makes any difference as part number also appears generic amongst Mercedes and other manufacturers.
Last edited by zolthar; Nov 21, 2022 at 09:52 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Australia
W204 2008 & W163 1999
I changed both post-cat O2 Sensors - didnt make any difference.
However I did notice something as once the temperature goes above 18c (~65f) during the day, even if I didnt start it in the morning or drive - BAS/ESP light will not light up. Tested this over 3 days and the result were the same. Started first thing in the morning which was about 10c (50f) and it would stay lit until I drive some distance at speed as described above.
Would anyone have any pointers?
However I did notice something as once the temperature goes above 18c (~65f) during the day, even if I didnt start it in the morning or drive - BAS/ESP light will not light up. Tested this over 3 days and the result were the same. Started first thing in the morning which was about 10c (50f) and it would stay lit until I drive some distance at speed as described above.
Would anyone have any pointers?
