So, I was driving earlier today in my beast, in "S" mode, and I proceed to get on the throttle hard as I'm entering the highway. Well, my indicator "!" comes on, like it always done when my ESP is working to keep me on the road, but this time is different.... The light goes out altogether and a warning message pops up on my dash. It says "ESP: Malfunction! Visit Workshop!" and ever since then, I am unable to get much response out of the throttle when in automatic mode (either "S" or "C").
In fact, I am struggling to get my rpm's above 4000 and it takes FOREVER to accelerate! If I switch to "M" and manually control the gears, I can get "normal" response from her, but outside of that, it ain't happenin! I can't even manually turn off the ESP now (there's no light on my dash at all to reflect the ESP is off). Has anyone had this happen to them? Will an ECU reset help? (I have a Kleemann tune though, so I didn't really want to do this if it's going to erase my ECU programming.) Does anyone have any answers/ideas? I would really appreciate any insight anyone has. I will probably call my dealer tomorrow to take her in for service sometime this week (if they can get me in), but I'd really like to know what's going on... Bottom line, I just want my beast to perform like she used to!
Thanks, in advance!

 

well I had the same thing happen to be when my new engine was put in they had to drop the suspension and once I was back on the road my alignment was way off and my steering wheel was side ways just to go straight , after about 15 minutes of driving I would get the same light on my dash and I couldnt turn off ESP and my car seemed sluggish luckily when I turned my car off the light went off to. But a couple week ago I went in for the long needed alignment and ever since then the light has come on. So id your alignment messed up at all?

 

No issues with my alignment at all. I tried to turn my car off for a while, too, hoping that the warning message would just go away and never come back, but it came right back as soon as I started driving.

 

Ya really strange it for sure sucks driving with that light on. GL with fixing it.

 

Sounds like a sensor failure...but I've been wrong before.

 

I hope you are right. I have an appointment to take her in tomorrow morning. I'd much rather "just" have to replace a sensor than having something else more major go wrong...

 

Been there.... The 25 amp fuse may be blown, thus shutting down super charger. The dealer took 14 hours of labor time to find a frayed wire near the trunk hinge! Have the dealer track it down for the $140 diagnoses, and contact MBUSA and tell have them walk you thru it with the dealer. MBUSA covered my baby for me at 78000 miles. THEY ARE AWESOME!
Its an easy fix, don't worry, just drive it easy till she gets fixed.
PEACE!

 

turn your steering wheel all the way to right and then to left, may need to reset esp.

 

Could also be thrown into limp mode bc of the wheel slip and the car was maybe not totally warmed up...My friend had a clk55 amg and it happened to him a few times.. He went to dealer and they reset it for him and he was great...Basically what you are describing was what he told me

 

There is a sleeve around the steering column that senses steering angle. Mine was broken and my car exhibited similar ailments. If memory serves correctly the part was about $400. Good luck.

 

Ok.....after two days and a couple of "operations," my beast is back in business! Turns out that the bolt to the belt tensioner on my supercharger had snapped off, thus causing my supercharger to malfunction. So, my dealer had to remove the tensioner, drill out the broken bolt and install a new tensioner (the previous one had been broken along with the bolt). Luckily, my warranty covered it, so I was good to go (minus the warranty deductible). I am SO glad to have my ride back up and running at full speed. The funny thing is that I normally have trouble finding any drivers in the KC area willing to have a go with me on the highway, but in the two days that I was without my E55, I ran into a Viper, a Porsche Cayman S and a Lambo Gallardo who all seemed pretty eager to show what their cars can do. Needless to say, all I could do was watch in my loaner car from the dealer (aargh!!!) . Oh well, I'm ready for 'em now!!

Thanks, everyone for all of your advice!

 

All's well that ends well

 

So..... this exact issue just happened again this morning. Looks like it's back to the dealer....

 

Hello, I had a very similar occurrence in my CLS55 too while in M mode backed down to 2nd at 65mph and hit the gas and then ESP message came up. No ABS light though. Throttle is sluggish.
The ESP code per my MBCAR II scanner stated to check mechanical brake function (ESP abs SBC using brakes to hold traction) but brakes are fine. I cleared ESP codes but I still have a CAN communication ESP code. I just put on an 83mm UPD pulley and a 5pc pulley set from UPD with belt wrap kit and had my tune redone by Tony at RaceIQ.

Will drive it again tomorrow and see what's up. Does ESP derate limit boost or pull timing or both?

Thanks!