Good morning from the UK and I’m hoping that I can get some ideas or pointers on my ESP issues that I’ve been grappling with ever since I installed Kleeman headers.

The attached Xentry report is the latest iteration of this problem that I’m facing having replaced practically everything ESP related and installed a heat shield. I even sent the ESP module away for repair but apparently it couldn’t be fixed. I’ve tried swapping second hand ESP modules into the car, but they need vin coding to the car and Merc want £2500 to buy, fit and code a new module. I guess the cost of repair is what has motivating me into trying to get it fixed.

My guess is the ESP was fried when the headers were installed and the car was dyno tuned on one of the hottest days in the UK last last summer with ambient temperatures in the high 30’s (100F). Claus at Kleemann is adamant that the header reduces temps but I think he is conveniently ignoring engine bay temps and focusing on exhaust gas temps

Does the attached System diagnosis mean anything to anyone and can you give me any pointers on how to fix it, or is it a case of buying the bullet and swapping the damn thing out?

Thanks

 

Good day, you may have landed in the right place with an interesting networking problem.

We're going to try and simplify your CAN issues to the point it makes sense.

When looking at your report, we can see multiple modules on separate buses limping in single wire mode. That is not necessarily a dire situation.

Why this is happening is a 5000 quid question.

Xentry shows low voltage below 12Volts -- You can't drain the battery without powering the chassis. This in itself can mess things up.

> Collecting evidences:
From here I believe this has more to do with wiring harness than any single module impacting multiple modules.
You will want to check for causes such as watery footwell carpet at bus distribution bars near both front seats, previous poor collision repairs, swampy front SAM tub.


> Identification :
By the time you have carpet lifted we are going to unplug modules directly at the bus bar itself.
Be sure to number connectors to reinsert in the original order!!!

You're going to create missing modules by unplugging them until the remainder beging to work in normal mode. Then you will be able to identify which is what using electrical diagram for your VIN.

To rule out ESP, unplug it and rescan to get a status update.
🤞

 

Thanks for that detailed reply. Out of interest, what does single wire mode mean? There are no specific codes on Xentry for the ESP module, it’s appears to be working fine, but occasionally the front parking sensors will start beeping away for no reason and the vario roof will stop in mid flight in emergency mode as it assumes that the car is moving even though it’s not.

Im on to it.

 

The chassis uses 4 or 5 separate data buses that each use twisted pairs to network modules.

This is done with CAN-Hi and CAN-Lo signals in conjunction. When one signal goes missing, the modules carry on their work over single wire mode.

I would not ignore this to drive a car in limp mode. Nope.

There is a brilliant Briton technician over on youtube that describes CAN issues with perfect Oxford language. It's nice to see how he deploys logical thoughts to attack BMW issues with a scope. -- Next post

 

Have a look at this .

 

Thanks. I’ve been trying to follow it for a couple of days now in bitesize chunks. ECU testing is the firm that I sent my ESP module for testing and possible repair. They returned the module as unfixable. Could it be that the defective module is causing all of these issues?

 

You know its not easy for anyone to deal with any of that level of details. A lot of time painted GND posts are the culprit.

We are going to get you a clean answer under 5mn... here is how:

1. Garage the car
2. disconnect batteries
3. disconnect ESP
4. Reconnect batteries
5. erase faults
6. rescan chassis for faults....

>> What changes to CAN faults do we see??
Are CAN failures improved or unchanged.

I am going to bet "unchanged". ESP not cause.

Disconnecting ESP is going to trigger new crop of missing module errors... we are only interested about the formers half-CAN.

I recommend against plugging/un-plugging modules on a live chassis.

1. Power down
2. reconnect ESP
3. Power up
4. clear faults
5. rescan for fresh status.

 

Thanks for your continued help my friend. I’m going to try this tip and report back. Cheers

 

Faults unchanged as you predicted. DAS recognises that the ESP is not responding but the CAN BUS (High) codes remain.

Does the “High” point to issues with the female connector side of the harness that plugs into the ESP module?

 

Great now we saved you from replacing a perfectly good ESP, we can resume the hunt for Easter Egg.... dis the season!

You save 2500£ for your next vacation to a coastal resort.

Go back up and reread Post#2... CAN bus distribution bars under front footwell carpets L+R.

High chance you'll find a wet mess shorting CAN buses.

Next is fuse box SAM under the bonnet... wet signs??


I think this half-CAN spans more than a single network bus.

+++ ESP complains only because it's unable to work well with degraded slower CAN.

+++ CAN-Bus bars locations...
MB has them on either
footwell side panel
footwell sides
Forwards of door thresholds

 

Just wondering if the OP ever got this sorted out? @CaliBenzDriver this sounds very helpful as I am getting a CAN Communication Of Control Unit Dr-side SAM Is In Single-wire mode.(CAN Bus High)

I included some history of the car below and the tons of codes I had on the initial scan.

The only serious one remaining is the Can bus error. I am going to start by checking the plugs on the driver side under the sill. Any other advice would be gladly welcome (I know...get rid of this one lol! That was some soup of codes I got on the initial scan)

The car seems to be running very well other than this.

Thanks1

There are 7 issues for Vehicle body system：
1.CAN Communication Of Control Unit Dr-side SAM Is In Single-wire mode.(CAN Bus High)
2.B10/6(Evaporator Temperature Sensor)
3.Communication Error Of AC Bus With Component B31/1(AAC Multifunction Sensor)
4.The Component Or The Signal Line To The Component E36(Armrest Storage Compartment Lighting)
Has Short Circuit To Ground Or Open Circuit. OR This Fault Can Be Ignored And Erased.
5.Switch S109s1(Lordose Dynamic Adjustment Switch) Or S109s3(Lordose Forward Protruding Switch)
Cannot Be Turned On.
6.Left Seat Cushion Leak-lower Waist Cushion.
7.The Safety Time Of The Power Closing Has Been Exceeded For The Following Pneumatic Branch:trunk
Lid




A little history on this car. The person I bought it from was a retired dealer who was selling off some remaining cars he had. This particular car, he said, would not start and was at the Mercedes dealer for over a year, they replaced various things on it but could never get it to start. He then took it to an independent who had done work for him, and he called him 2 hours after he dropped it off and said he found a bad plug and the car was running. He didn't say what plug or give me any other info. Below is the first scan results I got and it was loaded, and many I suspect, were old. I cleared them and have driven the car a couple of hundred miles since then, and the codes have not reappeared except for the ones above remaining with the single wire mode code appearing to be the one I am worried about.

Orignal codes:
There are 7 issues for Power system：
1.Drive Authorization Has Been Refused By Control Module N15/5(Electronic Selector Lever
module(ESM[EWM])).
2.Voltage Supply Undervoltage
3.Outlet 'KI.15':short Circuit To Positive
4.One Or More Messages From The Engine Control Unit Are Not Available On The CAN Bus.( CAN
Timeout Fault )
5.One Or More Messages From The Engine Control Unit Are Not Available On The CAN Bus.( CAN
Timeout Fault )
6.One Or More Messages From Control Unit A1(Instrument Cluster) Are Not Available On The CAN Bus.(
CAN Timeout Fault )
7.CAN Communication With Other Control Units Installed In This Vehicle Is Not Possible.( Bus OFF Fault )

There are 4 issues for Chassis system：
1.No CAN Message Was Received From Control Unit N73(EIS [EZS] Control Unit).
2.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit A1(Instrument Cluster).
3.Signal Transmission Between At Least One Wheel Sensor And N88(TPM [RDK] Control Unit) Is Faulty.
4.Activation Of Control Module N88(TPM [RDK] Control Unit) Is Not Possible.

There are 24 issues for Safety and Security system：
1.The Operating Voltage Is Not Within The Permissible range. The Voltage Was Less Than 8.0V During
1S.
2.Fault Or Disturbance In CAN Message From Control Unit EIS:No Valid Control Module Data Present
3.S126/1(Left Side Flap Closed/Opened Limit Switch), S127/1(Right Side Flap Closed/Opened Limit
Switch):one Of The Limit Switches 'FOLDED OPEN' Does Not Operate Or Has Cable Break.
4.Control Module N2/7(Restraint Systems Control Unit)(Circuit 15R): No Voltage When Voltage Present At
Circuit 15
5.The Component Or The Signal Line To The Component B48(Front Passenger Seat Occupied And Child
Seat Recognition) Has Faulty Or Short Circuit.
6.The Component Or The Signal Line To The Component B48(Front Passenger Seat Occupied And Child
Seat Recognition) Has Open Circuit.
7.The Supply Voltage Of The Control Unit Is Too Low(Undervoltage).
8.The Codes(Right-hand Or Left-hand Drive) Stored In Control Modules N2/7(Restraint Systems Control
Unit) And N93(Central Gateway Control Unit) Are Not Identical.
9.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit N93(Central Gateway Control Unit).
10.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit N93(Central Gateway Control Unit).
11.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit N93(Central Gateway Control Unit).
12.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit N93(Central Gateway Control Unit).
13.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit N93(Central Gateway Control Unit).
14.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit N93(Central Gateway Control Unit).
15.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit N93(Central Gateway Control Unit).
16.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit N93(Central Gateway Control Unit).
17.This Fault Can Be Ignored And Erased.
18.System 'Parktronic' Has Detected A Fault.
19.No CAN Message Was Received From Control Unit Electronic Ignition Switch Or Central Gateway.
20.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit Instrument Cluster.
21.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit Driver Signal Acquisition And Actuation Module.
22.Component S111s3(Accept/terminate Phone Call Pushbutton) Is Defective.
23.Component S110s3(System Select Pushbutton) Is Defective.
24.Undervoltage Supply

There are 63 issues for Vehicle body system：
1.Component E1e3(Left Standing And Parking Lamp) In Module E1(Left Front Headlamp Unit) Is Faulty.
2.Control Unit A1(Instrument Cluster) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus.
3.Control Unit N10/8(Rear SAM Control Module) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus.
4.Control Unit N73(EIS [EZS] Control Unit) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus. OR No CAN
Message Was Received From Control Unit Electronic Ignition Switch Or Central Gateway.
5.Control Unit N22(AAC [KLA] Control And Operating Unit) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus.
6.Control Unit N10/11(Passenger-side SAM Control Module) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus.
7.The Supply Voltage Of The Control Unit Is Implausible.
8.Control Unit N70(Overhead Control Panel Control Unit) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus.
9.B38(Rain Sensor): The Component Has Detected No Fault.
10.Control Unit A37(PSE Control Module(Combined)) OR(199)Control Unit ACL [ZLB] Is Not Transmitting
Data On The CAN Bus.
11.The Supply Voltage Of The Control Unit Is Too Low(Undervoltage).
12.The Supply Voltage Of The Control Unit Is Too High(Overvoltage).
13.The Input Signal 'Circuit 15' Is Not o. k.
14.Control Unit N52(RVC Control Module) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus.
15.No Action Required: Erase Fault.
16.Component Trunk Lamp Is Defective.( Right)
17.Control Unit N73(EIS [EZS] Control Unit) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus. Or No CAN
Message Was Received From Control Unit Electronic Ignition Switch Or Central Gateway.
18.The Supply Voltage Of The Control Unit Is Too Low(Undervoltage).
19.Control Unit A1(Instrument Cluster) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus.
20.CAN Communication Of Control Unit Dr-side SAM Is In Single-wire mode.(CAN Bus High)
21.Interior CAN Bus:short Circuit In CAN lines/CAN Bus Low Short Circuit To GND
22.Switch S108s2(rear Adjustment Switch) Or S108s4(side Cheeks Adjustment Switch) Cannot Be Turned
On.
23.Switch S108s1(Lordose Dynamic Adjustment Switch) Or S108s3(Lordose Forward Protruding Switch)
Cannot Be Turned On.
24.Right Seat Cushion Leak-upper Waist Cushion.
25.Component A67m2(Horizontal Adjustment Motor) Has Open Circuit. The Fault Can Be Ignored.
26.Circuit Kl.12VOUT Has Short Circuit.
27.Component A67r2(Horizontal Position Potentiometer) Has Short Circuit To Ground Or Open Circuit. The
Fault Can Be Ignored.
28.Component A67r1(Vertical Position Potentiometer) Has Short Circuit To Ground Or Open Circuit. The
Fault Can Be Ignored.
29.B10/6(Evaporator Temperature Sensor)
30.Rotary Potentiometer For Setting Air Quantity At Center Vent
31.Rotary Potentiometer For Setting Air Quantity At Left Side Vent
32.Refrigerant Pressure Is Too Low.
33.Communication Error Of AC Bus With Component B31/1(AAC Multifunction Sensor)
34.M16/29(Right Blending Air Flap Positioning Motor) Mechanical Fault
35.The Supply Voltage Of The Control Unit Is Too Low(Undervoltage).
36.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit RCP Roof Control Panel.
37.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit Driver Signal Acquisition And Actuation Module.
38.Starter Battery Circuit Security Component Fault.
39.Switch N72s16(Vario Roof Switch) Is Defective Or Has Been Operated For Longer Than 90 Seconds.
40.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit N73(EIS [EZS] Control Unit).
41.No CAN Message Was Received From Control Unit Central Gateway Or No CAN Message Was
Received From Control Unit Electronic Ignition Switch.
42.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit A1(Instrument Cluster).
43.Fault In CAN Communication With Control Unit N10/10(Driver-side SAM Control Module).
44.The Supply Voltage Of Component N72(Lower Control Panel Control Unit) Is Too low(undervoltage).
This Fault Code May Be Ignored If The Voltage Supplied To The Control Module Is Greater Than 9 V.
45.The Operating Voltage Is Not Within The Permissible Range. The Voltage Was Less Than 8.5 V During
1 s.
46.Undervoltage Supply
47.No Normalizing Of Head Restraint Adjustment.
48.Control Unit A1(Instrument Cluster) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus.
49.No CAN Message Was Received From Control Unit N73(EIS [EZS] Control Unit) Or N93(Central
Gateway Control Unit).
50.Control Unit N10/10(Driver-side SAM Control Module) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus.
51.Control Unit N22(AAC [KLA] Control And Operating Unit) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus.
52.Control Unit N80(Steering Column Module) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus.
53.The Supply Voltage Of The Control Unit Is Too Low(Undervoltage).
54.The Supply Voltage Of The Control Unit Is Too High(Overvoltage).
55.Terminal 15: Short Circuit To Ground Or Open Circuit
56.Control Unit N10/8(Rear SAM Control Module) Is Not Transmitting Data On The CAN Bus.
57.The Component Or The Signal Line To The Component E36(Armrest Storage Compartment Lighting)
Has Short Circuit To Ground Or Open Circuit. OR This Fault Can Be Ignored And Erased.
58.Switch S109s2(rear Adjustment Switch) Or S109s4(side Cheeks Adjustment Switch) Cannot Be Turned
On.
59.Switch S109s1(Lordose Dynamic Adjustment Switch) Or S109s3(Lordose Forward Protruding Switch)
Cannot Be Turned On.
60.Left Seat Cushion Leak-lower Waist Cushion.
61.The Operating Voltage Is Not Within The Permissible Range. The Voltage Was Less Than 8.5 V During
1 s.
62.The Safety Time Has Been Exceeded For The Following Pneumatic Branch: Multicontour Backrest
63.The Safety Time Of The Power Closing Has Been Exceeded For The Following Pneumatic Branch:trunk
Lid

Inspections are normal for Power system
1.ECM - Engine Control Module(ME)
Inspections are normal for Vehicle body system
1.ESA_FL - Electric Seat Adjustment Front Left
2.CGW-Central Gateway
3.IC - Instrument Cluster
4.HRA_FR - Front Right Headlamp R

 

I see the long laundry list!.
This has been a really productive dealer special.
You have me confused... when I read that "this car appears to be running well".... obviously something good happened to it after something really bad (soaked??) originally landed it to become a buy back.
What are the current faults ??
I am guessing something central like a bus-bars got compromised... cost $2
No evidence yet any expensive part are necessarily involved.
Of course there's room for abuse, not if we stay focused .
🤞

 

Thank you! I suspect many of those codes were old and from low voltage for driving with a failed consumer battery.

The car is running well, and the only codes present now are:

There are 7 issues for Vehicle body system：
1.CAN Communication Of Control Unit Dr-side SAM Is In Single-wire mode.(CAN Bus High)
2.B10/6(Evaporator Temperature Sensor)
3.Communication Error Of AC Bus With Component B31/1(AAC Multifunction Sensor)
4.The Component Or The Signal Line To The Component E36(Armrest Storage Compartment Lighting)
Has Short Circuit To Ground Or Open Circuit. OR This Fault Can Be Ignored And Erased.
5.Switch S109s1(Lordose Dynamic Adjustment Switch) Or S109s3(Lordose Forward Protruding Switch)
Cannot Be Turned On.
6.Left Seat Cushion Leak-lower Waist Cushion.
7.The Safety Time Of The Power Closing Has Been Exceeded For The Following Pneumatic Branch:trunk
Lid

I understand all of these except the 1st one of 1.CAN Communication Of Control Unit Dr-side SAM Is In Single-wire mode.(CAN Bus High)

Before I spent any more money on maintenance, like replacing accumulators for the ABC suspension, I wanted to see if I could get that sorted out. I was going to start by checking connections in the driver door sill as others have mentioned that is a common area for corrosion.

Just trying to walk through the diagnosis from most likely to least likely!

Thanks again for replying!

 

Yes your first step is to identify what module is shorting out your Bus likely CAN-B.
The module doing this has a chance to be missing silently!!
Your best shot is to unplug all distribution connector from bus-bar at door sill thats telated to Driver-side front SAM.
See that full CAN speed is resumed
plug every extension one-by-one
until half-can is resumed due to shorted circuit.

 

Awesome! I'll be diving into this on the weekend. I know water got in this car at some point as it smells like a wet sock inside! 🧦

You know, one thing I noticed is when scanning modules, it scans and returns: HRA_FR - Front right Headlamp Range Adjustment as Normal, but then it says the left one is not present. No codes or errors just says it does not exist. I couldn't find much info on what this is.



Thanks so much.

 

the headlight missing "level sensor for range adjustment" is a standard factory defect.
I understand is it's from misconfigured headlight software... that can be ignored in the grand scheme of things.
You can rest assured it is highly unlikely shorting your CAN-B.

Footwell soak is another MB favorite:
THAT'S YOUR SOURCE OF CAN SHORT-CIRCUIT.

We went from overwhelmed to simple...
Now peelback the carpet to assess soaking conditions.
​​

 

Thanks again! I'll be peeling that carpet back by the weekend.