ommissioner

In reviewing the causes for this error notice, it seems to run the gamit from "steering sensor" failure to problems with the key and half a dozen other mysterious
electronic issues, which could run anywhere from $400 upwards of $1200 to fix. So, what happens if the ESP is simply never repaired. Am I going to go off the road?
Is this going to cause other "failures".? The good news is this happened the day before I put the car up for the winter, so I have lots of time to think about it.
In the meantime, if anyone has had a similar issue, I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks. This is a 2005 SLK 350 with about 30000 miles and no other significant
issues over its life.

Papaspence

I am having an intermittent ESP Malfunction with my 06 SLK280 with 79K on the clock. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it and most of the time there's no problem. But when there is, you lose your cruise control. I have also had several different mechanics want to write me a Rx for everything from the module (under the hood with the metal lines running to it) to my ignition switch. Since my works about 95% of the time and seems to go away when I shut the car off and restart it, I'm operating from the school of, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!

mihir_d

The malfunction must be registering fault codes in the ESP module. Best way would be to have it scanned and identify the fault codes. That would be the most correct approach to help identify fault in the system.

SLcharge

You can continue driving, no problem. These systems are fail safe, so in the event that it awakes again it will not do anything weird. You do though loose the benefir of the ESP / ABS saving you in critical situations, but are probably already aware of that.

Papaspence

I have found that the recalcitrant ESP in my 06 SLK280 still periodically misbehaves, but far less frequently than it used to. We've scanned it an found the codes to be erratic. Of course, once you lose the ESP, you lose the ability to use cruise control. I have found that on many occasions, simply pulling over, shutting the car off and starting it again alleviates the situation. Neither my mechanic nor I have a clue, but it's working about 99.5% of the time. That's a whole lot better than my last marriage. I'll take it! Thanks for the suggestions!

HiSeasYacht

I had this issue, scanned using my Icarsoft MB v2.0
steering sensor was fine,
Bought 2 speed sensors for front wheels, changed them and cleared codes and problem went away... Spent less than 50.00

Papaspence

Thanks for the reply. I just had the issue pop up this weekend, but it went away as fast as it came up.

Papaspence

Stay Tuned!!
Thanks All, I've decided to go with the Steering Angle Sensor, 171-545-16-32-80 Steering Sensor Assembly $292.85, which I snagged from Mercedes Parts Hub. Prices for this thing are all over the map and MB has found that they are rebuild-able and some places are getting, up to, a $95.00 core charge. I paid no core charge. The previous part # has been superseded and a lot of places say they have it until you order it. I'm supposed to receive it today and I'll give it to my mechanic and let "y'all" know what happens!