S-Class (W220) 1999-2006: S 320 CDI, S 320, S430, S 500, S 600

After Carwash... ABS & ESP inactive... workshop needed

Old Jul 24, 2016 | 08:49 AM
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After Carwash... ABS & ESP inactive... workshop needed

It's all these crazy popping warnings ABS & ESP inactive... workshop needed just right after going through a carwash. I've been having all my cars washed by Mister Carwash without a problem UNTIL yesterday and it happened with my S430
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Old Jul 24, 2016 | 10:37 AM
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Do you have any damp spots on your carpet? Usually sudden electrical issues after a carwash means water intrusion. Most common is due to a blocked cowl drain.
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 08:48 AM
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We checked everywhere... no water dampness anywhere... I've read lots of info related to this fiasco; It happened just right b4 I planned to go out of town & 1/4 mile away from MB dealer. I left the car @ the dealer... will update what they will find. Thanks
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 09:12 AM
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By the way, where exactly is the ECU located? I did open & check the fuse box... no sign of water in there. TIA
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 12:18 PM
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I had the same experience before. There was a speed sensor went bad and had to replaced.
You's better scan the code and see what went wrong.
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 02:12 PM
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Update: Dealer called and gave me a bad news: xmission module is flood with oil... Ouch!!! the classic xmission seal leaked and flooded xmission module. I thought I got that done with the last xmission flush. Dealer recommends to replace the module. ouch!!!

I hoped steering wheel sensor, battery, or speed sensor!!! Something else but xmission related. It's in the Dealer hands now.
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 05:14 PM
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Often they can be cleaned and dried out and saved
But mb dealers like to change parts
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 07:03 PM
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$5 and a couple of hours work might well put you back on the road. It is an easy fix...
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Old Jul 29, 2016 | 03:40 PM
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The dealer replaced Transmission Control Module (Unit), ouch!!! I kept the soaked wet module and planning to open it up to clean it for a spare. I saw someone here did it.
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Old Jul 29, 2016 | 03:58 PM
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Anyway, it got nothing to do with carwash. This is a classical transmission plug or somewhere that leak into the xmission box and soaked the module with xmission liquid. Because, it coincidentally happened right after the carwash... I was panics. What have you done if you previously experienced this situation (visit workshop warnings)??? What I did was stopping running the engine, tried to reset the fault codes but didn't work, tried to start and failed couple times... waited couple minutes and started and drove to the dealer 1/2 mile away. TIA
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Old Jul 29, 2016 | 04:31 PM
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That's seriously ouchhhh to the pocket!!! but the good news is now it's good and warranty for 1 year and I have a spare module. The best of all: The loaner car 2016 S550 4matic AND we both were having the time of our life with this S550; Just felt like we bought our 2003 S55 back in 2003. so joyful and fun driving the S550 to Chicago for whole weekend.


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Old Jul 29, 2016 | 04:53 PM
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Yeah, my dealer won't give me a loaner. Something, something, too old. More than a little irritating, considering the cost of parts and service. Audi never gave me that issue...
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Old Jul 30, 2016 | 08:49 AM
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Wow, my local dealer's loaner is C300.
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