sker66

I was happily cruisin on the Highway when a Brake Warning on Instrument Cluster appeared.

Nothing unusual occurred and there was no noticeable effect on my brakes so i thought to check my fluid when i got home.

Fluid check showed normal level.

Just as a note i purchased my E55 about 14 months ago and at that time i know that the dealer just did a brake job on the car.

At that time it had 109k on the clock and now has 116k.

I plan on takeing off the wheels tomorrow for a visual inspection.

Antone here on the forums experience this warning on there cars?

Please see pic attached.........Thanks in advance guys

poohlvhun

Your abc brake count is getting up there. Dealer can reset for you.

carguyshu

I'd bet $1,000 that your SBC unit has reached the end of its service life. After about 300,000 actuations is comes up with that message and must be replaced (mine just went at 80k, so at your mileage you've done good). The unit is $750 after a core refund from huskerparts.com. Just had the same problem and ordered mine. The dealer really should have told you that the SBC unit was near the end of its life when they did the brake job as the dealer star tool tells you how many times the brakes have been used and how close you are to the end of the service life.

Max.H

Are you sure its not saying your brakes are worn out and need to be replaced?

Mine just popped up also. Looked and the pads are really worn.

Isn't SBC covered under warranty for 15 years or something?

Blue55

The SBC is under warranty for 10 years but the accumulator is not. I have the same situation going on right now. The dealer wanted $1300 to replace the accumulator. I have an independent shop that will do it for $100 if I bring them the part.

Worth the wait

This is the SBC warning.
Take it to a dealer, as said it might be covered or just need a reprogram.

If the brakes were worn out another message displays.

Good luck!

sker66

I'll be Taking wheels off this morning to look at the pads, etc.

I actually bought the car from a Volvo Dealer here locally. Story they gave me was that a Captain in the Military traded the car in an a new Volvo.(Woww...what a switch was that?)

At that time they told me they had new brakes and rotors put on by an Indie they use for Mercs.

I'll Post my findings later today.

Some ?? though.

What does the SBC unit actually do?

What does the modulator do?

How does this issue actually effect the brake system?

carguyshu

Sbc is the entire brake system. These cars have electric brakes. The sbc unit brakes each wheel individually depending on conditions. For instance on a turn it applies brakes more strongly to the outside wheels since they have more traction. It also barely sweeps each rotor when it's raining to keep them dry & ready for optimal stopping. The sbc unit runs a motor inside it to create the braking pressure. The accumulator is what holds the pressure. Once it's reached the end of it's service life it needs replaced bc either the accumulator can't hold the proper pressure constant, the motors that generate the pressure are worn, or the individual valves that control each wheel is worn. Sbc also has a safety feature where if it looks like you are panic stopping it will apply the brakes at 100% even if you don't have the pedal totally mashed. It also makes it so the typical noise & vibration that an anti lock brake system makes (which causes some to lift up off the pedal in a panic situation) is eliminated.

Max.H

Crap! Lets see what the dealer says, crosses fingers.

sker66

What a great description of our braking system.....Thank you

I took all the wheels off today and the front brake pads are down to 3 to 4mm at the thinnest points with an excessive wear on the discs.

There is a 2-3 mm ridge at the O.D. of the disc. I would say that the discs are original in the front and have never been turned or changed. They measure 33 mm across. Anyone know the minimum thickness for the rotors?

What is a good source to buy quality brake pads and rotors other than the dealer?

kponti

And when you are done changing your pads and rotors, take it to the dealer for the sbc service.
I would take it to dealer first because my message came up less than a month before my warranty was up. And from what the advisor told me, there has been a rash of sbc lights coming up right around when the warranty is up. They are strict and will not honor the warranty even if you only ONE day past the date

carguyshu

best prices are found at either

huskerparts.com
or
oediscountparts.com

This applies for pretty much every part. Huskerparts is 30% off list with a flat rate $11 shipping, unless you have an usually large or heavy item. oediscountparts is 25% off list with free shipping for orders over $50, unless you have an usually large or heavy item. Get OEM mercedes rotors. Don't go aftermarket. On some larger or heavier items mymercedesparts.com can sometimes be better in price. Check those 3 places for rotors as they are super heavy. The 2 fronts are 72 pounds!

sker66

Thanks much I'll check those out

sker66

Is there a specification on how much these front rotors can be resurfaced?

The fronts measure 33 mm across at this time.

Rocman8

the minimum thickness spec is stamped onto the rotor. never turn/resurface these rotors.

sker66

Rotors not Available at either Parts Supplies listed.

Anyone have another supplier other than the dealer?

nickgbmx

Call Tal @ ACG automotive in San Diego

carguyshu

770-964-6404. That is the number to mymercedesparts.com since the website they have is currently down. I paid $133.90 for each front & 87.10 for each rear plus shipping.

Rocman8

you really need to get your sbc system checked out. this could be a simple programming but could be a safety issue if not resolved. even though you need new brake pads/rotors that is not the reason this message is coming up. there is a different message when the brake pads are low.

jmb614

Is there a way to check the count in STAR? I'll rig a device to pump them brakes like Peter North pumps a coed if it means saving a dollar.

forcefed4door

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/570218-sbc-threshold-reached.html#post6287247

HeissRod

My Service Brakes message came on today; 74,xxx miles. I've been searching and I keep reading about this 10yr warranty. Is that only for the original owner or does the warranty apply to the car, like an emissions warranty?

Rocman8

It's for any owner 10 year unllimited miles. It's going to depend on the "in service" date of your car. Also, it only covers the complete SBC unit or the programming. If it's a brake light switch or the pressure reservoir then it will not be covered.

novae500

My case, the white message turning to red message was not just the Brake accumulator, but also the SBC pump. O pressure at front driver side, while all others had full pressure. Once SBC pump replaced all messages went away.

kponti

How long after the white message did it turn red?