SL/R230: "BRAKE" Warning on Dash Display.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 61
Likes: 3
From: Gainesville, Florida USA
SL 550
"BRAKE" Warning on Dash Display.
My dash for 2009 R230 displays BRAKE -- Brake service required. I checked pads they have at least 5mm left, and OBD2 comes up clean. The car has 22,500 miles on it so i don't think it's the SBC.
Anyone have experience with this dash warning light or how to clear it?
Anyone have experience with this dash warning light or how to clear it?
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
That's most likely an SBC issue. Assuming you are in the USA (and if you'd update your forum user's profile with your location, we'd know for sure), MBZ extended the SBC warranty to 25 years, unlimited miles, unlimited owners. Take it to the dealer.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 61
Likes: 3
From: Gainesville, Florida USA
SL 550
To expand on this a little bit -- I bought the iCarSoft MB II scanner (very useful tool) at the advice of one the members. I get SBC error --> "Service Threshold Reached" :: Current and Stored.
My first question is, if my R230 SL550 only has 22,500 miles on it, how did it get to 300,000 brake presses so fast? Secondly, with the warranty mentioned above, I am expected to ask my local dealer to replace it under warranty and they are supposed to replace it? No questions asked?
I have a feeling that's not going to happen. Mostly, because I did not buy the car from them and I'm the second owner. It's also a $3000+ expense. Any advise on how to present this to the dealer, and what to do if they throw this back to me and ask me to pay? Is there any portion I could be responsible for such as Brake Fluid change, etc.? Thanks in advance.
Last edited by ceberus; Mar 4, 2019 at 07:50 PM.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
The "Service Threshold" is not 300,000 brake pedal presses. It is a certain number of cycles of the SBC pump motor. If the car is driven in a lot of stop and go traffic, or in situations where ESP is used a lot (say wet conditions) it could activate much more than someone who does only highway miles. Also, small leaks int he system could cause it to cycle more often. Honestly, though, it does not matter - this is covered by MBUSA's extended warranty for 25 years, unlimited mileage, unlimited owners:
http://benzbits.com/SBC%20Warranty.pdf
I am the second owner of my SL and here's the letter they sent me:
http://benzbits.com/SBC_Warranty_Letter.PDF
http://benzbits.com/SBC_Warranty_Page.PDF
Take it to the dealer, and have that bulletin in your back pocket. If they give you any grief, ask to borrow a phone can call 1-800-4MERCEDES and ask for someone to explain to you why our car is not covered. Oh, and by the way, it was also covered under an initial 10-year SBC warranty extension:
http://benzbits.com/SBC%2010%20year%...y%20letter.pdf
http://benzbits.com/SBC%20Warranty.pdf
I am the second owner of my SL and here's the letter they sent me:
http://benzbits.com/SBC_Warranty_Letter.PDF
http://benzbits.com/SBC_Warranty_Page.PDF
Take it to the dealer, and have that bulletin in your back pocket. If they give you any grief, ask to borrow a phone can call 1-800-4MERCEDES and ask for someone to explain to you why our car is not covered. Oh, and by the way, it was also covered under an initial 10-year SBC warranty extension:
http://benzbits.com/SBC%2010%20year%...y%20letter.pdf
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 131
Likes: 15
2003 SL500
I had the service brake deal last week. Dropped it off on Monday. The dealer scanned it and verified it was under warranty. Picked it up Thursday with zero dollars due out of pocket and no brake errors. Has a new SBC pump in it.
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 520
Likes: 203
From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 SL550 & 2012 S550 4matic
So happy this worked out for you. Do you mind sharing any symptoms you experienced prior to the SBC failure red dash warning? I'm getting a howl/whine that just showed up at idle. Will get DAS scan done soon.
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Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 131
Likes: 15
2003 SL500
The dash had a service brakes soon indicator. Then a few days later it went red. Maybe it was a couple of weeks, ours is a daily driver.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 61
Likes: 3
From: Gainesville, Florida USA
SL 550
I had no symptoms at all. The scan using the ICarsoft MB2 said it was near end of life and time to replace it from normal wear. Dealer confirmed it with STARS. If you got the error, get a scan I really recommend buying the MB2 scanner its worth every penny. The howl/whine sounds like it could be transmission related.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 520
Likes: 203
From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 SL550 & 2012 S550 4matic
At the moment it’s sound sensing raising the flag.we all know there are enough sensors on board r230 to light up warnings to the wallet, Hoping my ears are fooling my gut telling me to get ready.
