2011 Mercedes-Benz S550 (W221) – Multiple Warning Messages & No Crank / No Start
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: Tuscaloosa, AL
2029 S560
2011 Mercedes-Benz S550 (W221) – Multiple Warning Messages & No Crank / No Start
Hi everyone,
Today when I tried starting my 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550, the car suddenly displayed multiple warning messages that I have never seen before:
Has anyone experienced something similar or know where I should start troubleshooting?
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Today when I tried starting my 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550, the car suddenly displayed multiple warning messages that I have never seen before:
- Airmatic Malfunction
- SRS Airbag Malfunction
- ABS Inoperative
- Also not showing the milage and showing (…..) instead
Has anyone experienced something similar or know where I should start troubleshooting?
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,322
Likes: 1,678
S500
likely an ABS wheel speed sensor - quite common - buy cheap after market spares (two, one each side) they are likely better then the very expensive designed to fail Merc ones
stick some gear on the car (via ODB2 port) and check for individual wheel speed readings - and fault codes
easy DIY job if you have basic modern tools - probably a rear one
stick some gear on the car (via ODB2 port) and check for individual wheel speed readings - and fault codes
easy DIY job if you have basic modern tools - probably a rear one
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Joined: Aug 2021
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Likes: 771
1983 Nissan Shltbox
Check/replace the battery.
Unless you're one of those who left out the "oh yeah, I forgot to mention the car was totaled a year ago in a rollover crash and rebuilt as a salvage title", that's where I would start.
These cars eat batteries and come equipped standard with like, 300 amp alternators from the factory. Very power hungry.
Unless you're one of those who left out the "oh yeah, I forgot to mention the car was totaled a year ago in a rollover crash and rebuilt as a salvage title", that's where I would start.
These cars eat batteries and come equipped standard with like, 300 amp alternators from the factory. Very power hungry.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 47
Likes: 6
2005 S-500
Hi everyone,
Today when I tried starting my 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550, the car suddenly displayed multiple warning messages that I have never seen before:
Has anyone experienced something similar or know where I should start troubleshooting?
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Today when I tried starting my 2011 Mercedes-Benz S550, the car suddenly displayed multiple warning messages that I have never seen before:
- Airmatic Malfunction
- SRS Airbag Malfunction
- ABS Inoperative
- Also not showing the milage and showing (…..) instead
Has anyone experienced something similar or know where I should start troubleshooting?
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Last edited by Togar; Jan 4, 2026 at 05:05 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,641
Likes: 1,224
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
OP verify that both batteries are in good shape. Those batteries older than three years? Replace them with GOOD new batteries. Than plug it into Xentry to learn what it is pissed about.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: Tuscaloosa, AL
2029 S560
Update
Update:
Quick update – I scanned with BlueDriver and got a flood of codes across many modules. The clear pattern is lost CAN communication with the Electronic Ignition Switch (EIS/EZS, control unit N73).
Key codes:
Anyone seen this exact symptom set on an '11 S550? Is EIS the usual culprit, or could it be battery/SAM/wiring?
Quick update – I scanned with BlueDriver and got a flood of codes across many modules. The clear pattern is lost CAN communication with the Electronic Ignition Switch (EIS/EZS, control unit N73).
Key codes:
- U0168 (multiple modules): "Communication with the electronic ignition lock has a malfunction. The message is missing."
- P1321 (engine module): Same EIS comm fault.
- Multiple B11xx in Airbag: No CAN message from N73 (EIS).
- U0003 in Instrument Cluster: No message from EZS (explains mileage dashes).
- Tons of other modules (ABS, parking brake, steering, etc.) all complaining about missing EIS, engine, or adaptive brake signals.
Anyone seen this exact symptom set on an '11 S550? Is EIS the usual culprit, or could it be battery/SAM/wiring?
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: Tuscaloosa, AL
2029 S560
Thanks man, really appreciate you confirming it's the EIS. Sucks you had the same crap on your '13, but good to know you got it running again!
$2100 at the dealer is pretty much what I've heard. Just curious did you check out any mail-in places like Pressertech or The ECU Pro? They do repairs/replacements for like $350-500, plug-and-play after you pull the module.
What made you stick with the dealership?
$2100 at the dealer is pretty much what I've heard. Just curious did you check out any mail-in places like Pressertech or The ECU Pro? They do repairs/replacements for like $350-500, plug-and-play after you pull the module.
What made you stick with the dealership?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: Tuscaloosa, AL
2029 S560
$2100 at the dealer is pretty much what I've heard. Just curious did you check out any mail-in places like Pressertech or The ECU Pro? They do repairs/replacements for like $350-500, plug-and-play after you pull the module.
What made you stick with the dealership?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: Tuscaloosa, AL
2029 S560
Update 2 - Issue fixed
Update:
Quick update – I scanned with BlueDriver and got a flood of codes across many modules. The clear pattern is lost CAN communication with the Electronic Ignition Switch (EIS/EZS, control unit N73).
Key codes:
Anyone seen this exact symptom set on an '11 S550? Is EIS the usual culprit, or could it be battery/SAM/wiring?
Quick update – I scanned with BlueDriver and got a flood of codes across many modules. The clear pattern is lost CAN communication with the Electronic Ignition Switch (EIS/EZS, control unit N73).
Key codes:
- U0168 (multiple modules): "Communication with the electronic ignition lock has a malfunction. The message is missing."
- P1321 (engine module): Same EIS comm fault.
- Multiple B11xx in Airbag: No CAN message from N73 (EIS).
- U0003 in Instrument Cluster: No message from EZS (explains mileage dashes).
- Tons of other modules (ABS, parking brake, steering, etc.) all complaining about missing EIS, engine, or adaptive brake signals.
Anyone seen this exact symptom set on an '11 S550? Is EIS the usual culprit, or could it be battery/SAM/wiring?
Turned out to be an intermittent EIS issue. I pulled the Electronic Ignition Switch module to send it for repair (was eyeing ECU Pro or Pressertech), but just out of curiosity, I plugged it back in to test and the car fired right up! All warnings gone, mileage back, starts perfectly every time since.
Reseating the connectors must have fixed a loose contact or dirty pin. Cleared the codes with BlueDriver and re-scanned: everything clean now.
Thanks for the earlier replies pointing to EIS @Togar, you nailed it! Fingers crossed it stays fixed, but if it flakes out again, I'll send the module in for a proper rebuild.
Appreciate the help, guys!
