SL/R231: 2013 SL550 - goes into limp mode when I punch it
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 29
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SL550
2013 SL550 - goes into limp mode when I punch it
When driving down the interstate in approximately 65 mph today, I punched it and the vehicle immediately went into limp mode. I pulled over turned it off and restarted and everything returned to normal. Couple hours later sitting at a stop sign I gunned it and the same thing happened. When I got home and plugged into the OBDII and it didn’t throw any codes. Has anyone ever experienced this? Kind of takes the fun out of the car if I can’t punch it.
Appreciate comments and advice from anyone who has experience with this?
Appreciate comments and advice from anyone who has experience with this?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I don’t mean to make light of your issue, but there should be an app that parents can use to make any vehicle driven by a teenager behave like this. To make it even better, the vehicle should not return to regular operation for ten minutes. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,447
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From: South Florida
2013 SL550 (Lux Sport), 2006 CL55 AMG (Muscle). S550 (Wife's Sedan)
Suggest you take it to an MB Dealer for a proper diagnosis immediately!
Many possibilities: Oxygen sensor failure, Loss of Vacuum pressure, Fuel System issue, Turbo malfunction, Catalytic Converter problem, etc.,etc
Good Luck!
Many possibilities: Oxygen sensor failure, Loss of Vacuum pressure, Fuel System issue, Turbo malfunction, Catalytic Converter problem, etc.,etc
Good Luck!
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
2010 E350 Coupe
When driving down the interstate in approximately 65 mph today, I punched it and the vehicle immediately went into limp mode. I pulled over turned it off and restarted and everything returned to normal. Couple hours later sitting at a stop sign I gunned it and the same thing happened. When I got home and plugged into the OBDII and it didn’t throw any codes. Has anyone ever experienced this? Kind of takes the fun out of the car if I can’t punch it.
Appreciate comments and advice from anyone who has experience with this?
Appreciate comments and advice from anyone who has experience with this?
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
2018 e63s sedan, 2014 SL63, 2020 GLE580
I had that issue on my old 2013 sl550.. it turned out to be the throttle body control that was bad (the sensor in the accelerator) you can find the part on eBay for about 100 bucks or so . Very simple to replace 2 screws and plug and play... Hopefully it helps.
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
2004 c230 kompressor
Problem fixed!
I had the same issues with my 2010 E350 , punching it and limp mode every time, I never took it to a dealer or mechanic because they will not know that your accelerator pedal sensor is going bad, so they will charge you for something and it will not fix the problem. So I changed the accelerator pedal entirely, and no more problems! I suggest once you get your new pedal, reset the transmission to learn your new pedal properly. Swiffty
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 23
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From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
2013 SL550
Same/Similar Problem -- O2 Sensor Fail?
I had a similar problem this week. I don't drive the car much, maybe once a week. I took it out for a spin. Normal start to get thru the neighborhood, but when I was departing the traffic light on the first main road, it immediately lost power, began chugging, and was totally limping with an Engine light. I pulled over, turned the engine off, restarted and things seemed okay, but when I was departing from the next intersection, same thing. When I limped it back to the garage, my girl noticed a sulfur-like smell (my nose is still off from COVID, so I can't detect much). Google revealed these are all classic signs of an O2 Sensor fail. I have not pulled codes yet, but am ttying to decide if I need it towed to the dealer, or if this is a simple repair, easilty accessible part. It looks to be a $35 component. Appreciate any insight. Thanks!
Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 91
Likes: 43
2013 W221 S550 2016 C217 S550
Had this happen on my m278 s class. Turned out to be a bad coil pack. It did give me a code.....Eventually. It was intermittently doing this. Eventually was able to diagnose this without MB star.
Last edited by red996; Sep 8, 2023 at 02:51 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
Had this happen when I was in my early twenties to a Maxima I had. Went to my friends Dad's shop and it was a MAF that came loose. When I punched it the engine flexing made the connection work free. A new clamp fixed the issue.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 501
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From: Miami Beach
2006 CLS55 AMG Sold 2010 E550 Coupe totaled by mechanic, '13 SL550 I totaled it, 2017 SL63 current
This happened to me a couple of times in my '10 E550 Coupe. Seems to be the gas pedal in that model and sounds exactly the same symptom you are having.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 23
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From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
2013 SL550
Update after initial diagnosis -- Not O2 Sensor
Took it to a friend's garage; he pulled codes, one of which is the speed sensor on front left. [I did not mentione that I also had a Christmas tree of ABS, NonSkid, Lane Avoidance, and Blind Spot inoperative warnings, in addition to Engine Light]. After further research, it seems this speed sensor can also make the vehicle go wonky. I would describe the reaction as the thing almost SLAMMING out of gear, then getting very clunky/chugging. If you turn off the engine and restart, the motor run like a top. It's just thrown into this funky mode by something. Sorry, but I don't have all the codes, but I do remember seeing that Speed Sensor. I did NOT see anything related to Exhaust, e.g., O2 sensor. More to follow, gents.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
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From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Well, there you go! All those other codes are linked to the car determining the correct speed. If one sensor is bad, it’ll confuse all the others. Fix that, clear the codes, drive the car and see if the problem returns. Replacing the wheel speed sensor is not hard if you know how to remove a wheel.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 3
From: Huntington Beach, CA
2014 SL550
Had this happen to me on my ML and BMW. Identical thing happened as you described. Both turned out to be a Bad coil on one of the cylinders. I replaced all with new plugs. Runs like new now.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 23
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From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
2013 SL550
Well I'll be damned...
Well, there you go! All those other codes are linked to the car determining the correct speed. If one sensor is bad, it’ll confuse all the others. Fix that, clear the codes, drive the car and see if the problem returns. Replacing the wheel speed sensor is not hard if you know how to remove a wheel.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 23
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From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
2013 SL550
Amazon's Choice...don't judge me.
ANCEL AD310 Classic Enhanced Universal OBD II Scanner Car Engine Fault Code Reader CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool-Black
I'm still figuring this thing out and can't seem to Erase the codes, but the Engine light is out and no Cautions or Warnings displayed. Under the menu item that says "Stored Codes", it has:
C0034 Right Front Wheel Speed Sensor
P061A Internal Control Module Torque Performance
I think I read somewhere how the Speed Sensor failure can confuse the crap out of the sensor systems and cause mismatches that latch this type of generic code. The only issue I had was an inability to Erase the codes regardless of key state. Further investigation here, but seems all is well now and only $200 to a good man.
ANCEL AD310 Classic Enhanced Universal OBD II Scanner Car Engine Fault Code Reader CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool-Black
I'm still figuring this thing out and can't seem to Erase the codes, but the Engine light is out and no Cautions or Warnings displayed. Under the menu item that says "Stored Codes", it has:
C0034 Right Front Wheel Speed Sensor
P061A Internal Control Module Torque Performance
I think I read somewhere how the Speed Sensor failure can confuse the crap out of the sensor systems and cause mismatches that latch this type of generic code. The only issue I had was an inability to Erase the codes regardless of key state. Further investigation here, but seems all is well now and only $200 to a good man.
