BAS/ESP/ABS

[C230_Kompressor]

Hello Fellow MB Lovers!

I have recently joined the forum and look forward to being apart of it! I was getting frustrated with the lights on my dash and was so confused with things I have looked up. Then I thought why don't I go ask! haha, anyways....

Here is my issue: Bought the car back in October. According to owner he was doing some work with battery disconnected and when he hooked all back up he had the BAS/ESP/ABS all come on. I seem to have much difference symptoms compared to others. I start my car (In park still) the three lights are on. Shift to drive, and once I start to pull away they will go out. Once I hit around 50km-60km/h they all come back on and will not turn off until I turn the car off.

That being said also Cruise will not work, but the ESP, and ABS all seem like they are working correctly. During the winter months here they have certainly kicked in once in a while. So I am truly not sure what to try first to fix this issue. Any ideas and knowledge is appreciated!!

2000 C230 Kompressor

Thank you :D

[RemoLexi]

Without scanning the fault codes, we can all sit here and guess at your expense! Best option, have it scanned and diagnosed by a reputable shop.

[kowalski]

if previous owner disconnected the battery doing some work, then put the cable back the abs/esp will malfunction.
did you try to turn the steering wheel from left to right in fast pace a few times?
this is the procedure to kill the dash lights

or you might have a fawlty brake light switch?
did you check the brakelights if they illuminate?

or your brake system might have some problems which needs to be checked out with a code reader?

[C230_Kompressor]

Without scanning the fault codes, we can all sit here and guess at your expense! Best option, have it scanned and diagnosed by a reputable shop.

Thanks for the reply! I dont really have to many places here other then the stealership that could check, I know no one will be able to specifically tell me the issue but what is the common fixes for this issue. As from the amount of people reporting this it seems like a common issue with many of our cars. Commonly people say the break light switch fixes it but I dont seem to have the same symptoms as them... or maybe I do.. Just wondering what others have done to fix this issue on there own cars.


Again thank you for the reply I appreciate the feed back and if I don't get any other replies I may have to think about taking it to the stealership. Just don't want to deal with them if I don't have to.


Thank you

[C230_Kompressor]

if previous owner disconnected the battery doing some work, then put the cable back the abs/esp will malfunction.
did you try to turn the steering wheel from left to right in fast pace a few times?
this is the procedure to kill the dash lights

or you might have a fawlty brake light switch?
did you check the brakelights if they illuminate?

or your brake system might have some problems which needs to be checked out with a code reader?

That sounds interesting(Turning the wheel) I have not tried that as I wasnt sure what to exactly do, I read that somewhere but wasn't to clear what to do.(Probably making more complicated then it has to be.) Is all I have to do is turn it back and forth?...

Ive been thinking the faulty break light switch but I have had family follow behind a few times and never commented on the break lights not going on, so would that rule out the break light switch?


I do know the previous owner also said he got the breaks done all around recently so possibly something wasnt hooked back up? I know just an obd 2 reader nothing comes up but I am sure breaks would need the special mercedes reader.

[kowalski]

you have to turn the steering wheel back n forth left to right in fast motion a few times to kill the dash lights.
this is what i had to do when i removed the battery cableclamp.

other times dashlights will go off when i take my car for a ride and don't have to turn the wheel left to right.
i guess my electronics adapted to driving my car.

you might have a bigger problem if your dashlights won't come off?
there are several stuff and one of them mentioned below might be bad, i'm only giving you pointers.
broken brakepad sensors, worn hoses/leaks, bad abs pump, abs ring gears might have rusted and broke,
better off if you know a trusted mechanic who can help you out with your car?

good luck

[Denlasoul]

My lights have come on when my battery is low, but have gone away once I drive my car for a bit and the battery is charged up again. Considering your description, I doubt this is the problem. Unless you have two things going on at the same time.

While I dont know for sure, I would say that there is something wrong with your brake system or the sensors that control/regulate the brake system. Why do I speculate that? To me it makes sense that if your cruise control is not working, then a sensor issue is preventing it from working as it should. Think about it for a second, cruise control works in both accelerating and decelerating. So a faulty "something" might be telling the car that it is not functioning properly - well, at least not properly enough to use the cruise control.

My recommendation would be to take it to a shop, either Stealer or indy. Hopefully it is something minor.

[RemoLexi]

Hate to scare you, we have a 98' C43 sitting on our lot for 2 years now, abandoned now because the BAS module has died and a replacement one is either unavailable or ungodly expensive. Been trying to get in contact with the owner, (on here btw) who is Mia.

.. But on a brighter note, you can try and install a brake lamp switch and see if that fixes it. The switch has 2 switches inside, so not always can you identify a faulty brake lamp switch by looking to see if the lamps actually function. That is the most common failure, that is the one part that you can take a gamble and install with a good chance of positive outcome. Part isn't expensive either.

[Denlasoul]

Wanna sell the 43? LOL

[RemoLexi]

I have to get in contact with the owner. Only he can decide what to do. We aren't the type of repair facility that will lean sale someone's car no matter what. People have hardships, last I heard the guy was out of the country and had intent to return, although long delayed, I'm sure he will return.

It does have 68k only!

[Denlasoul]

I have to get in contact with the owner. Only he can decide what to do. We aren't the type of repair facility that will lean sale someone's car no matter what. People have hardships, last I heard the guy was out of the country and had intent to return, although long delayed, I'm sure he will return.

It does have 68k only!
Thats good. Quite admirable actually.

I was just joking anyway. I want a 190E to play with.

On topic: what kind of cost you talking about for the BAS module?

[John Jones Jr.]

On topic: what kind of cost you talking about for the BAS module?

€600+ ($700) here in Europe!!!

[kowalski]

Hate to scare you, we have a 98' C43 sitting on our lot for 2 years now, abandoned now because the BAS module has died and a replacement one is either unavailable or ungodly expensive. Been trying to get in contact with the owner, (on here btw) who is Mia.

.. But on a brighter note, you can try and install a brake lamp switch and see if that fixes it. The switch has 2 switches inside, so not always can you identify a faulty brake lamp switch by looking to see if the lamps actually function. That is the most common failure, that is the one part that you can take a gamble and install with a good chance of positive outcome. Part isn't expensive either.

how often do BAS module break?
this must be very seldom it breaks?
i've never heard of broken BAS modules before

[John Jones Jr.]

My BAS unit packed up, suspected water ingress. Changed the BAS brake master sensor for good measure too.

[kowalski]

My BAS unit packed up, suspected water ingress. Changed the BAS brake master sensor for good measure too.

BAS unit is it not sealed from water and other crap?
is it located next to the ABS unit in engine bay, i don't know exactly where this BAS unit is fitted?

[RemoLexi]

The unit that failed was located right beside the ME. I believe it was nearly $2000.

[John Jones Jr.]

BAS unit is it not sealed from water and other crap?
is it located next to the ABS unit in engine bay, i don't know exactly where this BAS unit is fitted?

It is 'sealed' (plastic case that can be split open) but somewhat exposed on R/H/D cars as it's located below & in front of the brake master servo.