W220 ESP malfunction
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2003 s500
W220 ESP malfunction
Hey everyone.
I have a 2003 s500 with approx 120k miles. I have been neglecting my oil change for about 5k miles now, occasionally drive the car on low/reserve fuel. Turned key in ignition yesterday to find engine rumbling with no start. I had the "add 1 liter of oil" light on for quite a while so it was my best guess as to being the issue. I took what very little engine oil I had in the trunk and poured it in. Car was able to start, I then drove down about 3 blocks hit a red light, and by the time it was green the car had become unresponsive. Take the key out to restart, again no start. Go grab 2 quarts of engine oil, fill her up and car starts again. After about a minute of driving I get 3 errors I've never seen before.
ESP malfunction visit workshop
ABS malfunction visit workshop
BAS malfunction visit workshop
As I was on the highway approaching highway speeds the car seemed to not be switching gears due to the computer functions being disengaged. RPMs were hitting 4-5 at give or take 40-50mph.
Since then I was able to drive and make my commute, stop and start the car multiple times. But of course this issue still makes the car very dangerous and unreliable to drive.
I apologize for the extensive backstory, I'm just wondering how I can pinpoint what the issue is and hopefully this info may give someone relevant clues as to what is the problem. I am coming here as opposed to getting a diagnostic as money is tight and It would be a life saver if I can fix this in a cost effective way, maybe on my own. Really appreciate any insight or solutions you can offer. Please and thank you all in advance!
I have a 2003 s500 with approx 120k miles. I have been neglecting my oil change for about 5k miles now, occasionally drive the car on low/reserve fuel. Turned key in ignition yesterday to find engine rumbling with no start. I had the "add 1 liter of oil" light on for quite a while so it was my best guess as to being the issue. I took what very little engine oil I had in the trunk and poured it in. Car was able to start, I then drove down about 3 blocks hit a red light, and by the time it was green the car had become unresponsive. Take the key out to restart, again no start. Go grab 2 quarts of engine oil, fill her up and car starts again. After about a minute of driving I get 3 errors I've never seen before.
ESP malfunction visit workshop
ABS malfunction visit workshop
BAS malfunction visit workshop
As I was on the highway approaching highway speeds the car seemed to not be switching gears due to the computer functions being disengaged. RPMs were hitting 4-5 at give or take 40-50mph.
Since then I was able to drive and make my commute, stop and start the car multiple times. But of course this issue still makes the car very dangerous and unreliable to drive.
I apologize for the extensive backstory, I'm just wondering how I can pinpoint what the issue is and hopefully this info may give someone relevant clues as to what is the problem. I am coming here as opposed to getting a diagnostic as money is tight and It would be a life saver if I can fix this in a cost effective way, maybe on my own. Really appreciate any insight or solutions you can offer. Please and thank you all in advance!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
Start the engine. Turn the steering wheel full left, then full right, then full left, then center. Shut the engine down and remove the key fob. Wait a few seconds, start the engine, go for a drive, and see if the problem has gone away.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 690
Likes: 76
From: Montreal, Quebec
2009 E350 4M Avantgarde;mistress 2002 S600; wife 2014 C300 4M
This guy just joined with one of the most discussed and basic problems on these forums.
He made no effort to search at all.
These forums are not like Walmart for a one stop shop.
(had to say this)
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2003 s500
Thanks for your response Wally, really appreciate it! I did try this fix before when I did some research, and again tried after your suggestion to make sure I did not miss anything. However, the problem still persists, today I got my hands on an obd scanner and received 2 codes.
P0335
P0600
The first issue seems to be an issue with the crankshaft position sensor. Do you know if this is possible to be causing the issues with the ESP?
Kraut56 I appreciate your response as well, you are correct I did join the forum to try and get help on this specific issue. It is not my intention to waste anyone's time or energy, as I recently joined I'm not too familiar with navigating the forum. Do you think you could navigate me to the threads on this matter?
Thank you both!
P0335
P0600
The first issue seems to be an issue with the crankshaft position sensor. Do you know if this is possible to be causing the issues with the ESP?
Kraut56 I appreciate your response as well, you are correct I did join the forum to try and get help on this specific issue. It is not my intention to waste anyone's time or energy, as I recently joined I'm not too familiar with navigating the forum. Do you think you could navigate me to the threads on this matter?
Thank you both!
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 690
Likes: 76
From: Montreal, Quebec
2009 E350 4M Avantgarde;mistress 2002 S600; wife 2014 C300 4M
OK, maybe I was a little harsh, but:
Both forums have a "read first " function to give an idea where to look first.
Non MB OBDII scanners usually produce worthless results, but, you can scan or google the meanings of these codes..
Both forums have a "read first " function to give an idea where to look first.
Non MB OBDII scanners usually produce worthless results, but, you can scan or google the meanings of these codes..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
The P0335 is a Crankshaft Position Sensor failure. In your case, it has to be a "stored code", meaning that it happened briefly, but is not now occurring. The reason is that if the crank sensor fails, the engine will not run. An intermittent failure is not unusual, especially when trying to start a hot engine. The sensor is not expensive, and is an easy DIY installation. Google "W220 crankshaft sensor" .
The P0600 is a generic code, with several possible causes. One is low battery power. The W220 is very picky about having sufficient battery power. A cheap or failing battery can cause all sorts of problems
The W220 is an expensive, complex vehicle. If you ignore routine maintenance, you will have a butt-load of problems.
The three failures that you first reported are often due to a failing wheel speed sensor, or a poor connection in that circuit, or low battery power.
The P0600 is a generic code, with several possible causes. One is low battery power. The W220 is very picky about having sufficient battery power. A cheap or failing battery can cause all sorts of problems
The W220 is an expensive, complex vehicle. If you ignore routine maintenance, you will have a butt-load of problems.
The three failures that you first reported are often due to a failing wheel speed sensor, or a poor connection in that circuit, or low battery power.
Last edited by wallyp; Jan 28, 2023 at 11:50 AM.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2023
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2003 s500
First thank you guys so much for your responses, and Wally I really appreciate that explanation. It gave me a lot of insight and I feel I am understanding this problem much better.
So it seems that these error codes are unrelated to the ESP issue, but may be related to the engine not starting issue that I had.
Additionally I get the sense that the battery is the best place to start in terms of process of elimination. I have had to jump it a couple times in the past, accidentally leaving the lights on. I will look to order or get my hands on a battery reader immediately and try measuring after letting it sit overnight. Will get back to you guys ASAP.
Also duly noted that I must treat my w220 beauty much nicer haha.
Thanks so much for your time and help!
So it seems that these error codes are unrelated to the ESP issue, but may be related to the engine not starting issue that I had.
Additionally I get the sense that the battery is the best place to start in terms of process of elimination. I have had to jump it a couple times in the past, accidentally leaving the lights on. I will look to order or get my hands on a battery reader immediately and try measuring after letting it sit overnight. Will get back to you guys ASAP.
Also duly noted that I must treat my w220 beauty much nicer haha.
Thanks so much for your time and help!
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2005 S500 Designo
