New Member with troubles..E300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DinNC · #1 09-05-2007, 09:09 PM

Let me start by saying that this is a fantastic forum and full of great information and knowledgeable members, I am glad I happened on it.

Where to start...I have two diesels, a 1982 300TD, and a 1996 E300D. The 300D was bought with intentions of it replacing the wagon for a couple of different reasons, mainly my wife and son and their frequent road trips.
So we picked up the E300D this afternoon and rode out to dinner in our 'new' car, my wife while driving adjusted the steering wheel and lit up the EMT and ABS lights...also the speedometer and odometer stopped working

. Now this wouldnt even phase me on the TD, but have just bought the 300D it puts my mind in a tailspin. I am quite sure(hopeful) that it is mearly a loose wire or some such thing. The car still runs and drives just fine, and everything else works...what could be going on? Please advise..

Also, where would be the best place to get an owners manual for the 96 E300D? Thanks in advance.

TMAllison · #2 09-05-2007, 09:16 PM

Welcome to the forum.

Am drawing a blank on EMT?

Probably is the brake light switch. I assume you have matching rubber on all four corners like you are supposed to have. On off chance it has something to do with adjusting the wheel and steering angle, turn it lock to lock 3 times.

DinNC · #3 09-05-2007, 09:19 PM

Thanks! Car is new to me.. EMT is probably wrong..its the light for the traction control and ABS. Also the car has matching rubber. I will try the lock to lock thing though, thanks.

TMAllison · #4 09-05-2007, 09:21 PM

No check engine light (CEL) lit up?

Traction is the ASR and with some options is ETS.

That error can also be caused by a faulty ABS sensor at the wheels or the the drive shaft.

*Edit* - Sorry, am going too fast. Your dash/ODO being out may also mean these issues are being caused by an electrical gremlin which can be caused by a faulty K40 relay. Is your battery voltage good? ABS can also be triggered by low voltage.

DinNC · #5 09-05-2007, 09:25 PM

Nope, no check engine light..

DinNC · #6 09-05-2007, 09:39 PM

ETS, thats the light. Battery is within a few months old...K40 relay, any more info on that?

TMAllison · #7 09-05-2007, 09:48 PM

K40 is in the computer box under the hood. Right side, front most unit. They get hairline cracks in the circut board and cause lots of glitches. Some have soldered and repaired them. Costs about $80 to replace.

Check the fuses on top of it for corrosion or hairline cracks too.

DinNC · #8 09-05-2007, 09:56 PM

I will look into it. I appreciate all the info! It just seems odd to me that all this happened after adjusting the steering wheel...go figure

DinNC · #9 09-06-2007, 08:22 AM

Awesome!!! I dont know why but the lock to lock trick worked! All is well, but I will be looking into the problem. Thanks!!

JimmyL · #10 09-06-2007, 09:39 AM

That fixing your problem sounds like a wire in the harness contacting something it should not. Rotating the wheel several times simply moved it from it's offending location. At least that is how I visualized it.
Disclaimer: I don't have an E300D, just reacting to thread info.....

nhdoc · #11 09-06-2007, 09:40 AM

A faulty speed sensor would cause the traction control, ABS, speedo and odo to stop working too so you may have an intermittent problem or just a dirty connection at the sensor. I'm not sure where it is on your E300 though since it is different than mine...maybe someone else can chime in as to the location of the speed sensor on a '96?

Also, when you say the speedo and odo stopped do you mean the display on the odo was blank? It could be the wiring to the cluster is loose...that's easy enought to check and could be disturbed by the adjustments you made to the steering wheel's position.

TMAllison · #12 09-06-2007, 12:24 PM

The lock to lock movement of the steering wheel worked because it reset the steering angle sensors that communicate with the ECU so it can track steering input and can tell ABS and ASR to begin emergency braking if steering input and wheel slip warrant. Its a complicated system and as Marty pointed out ABS is also interconnected.

Glad that worked for you, but you may be dealing with this again as there may be some underlying problem as adjusting the wheel should not cause that.

Hopefully if it reoccurs you'll get a code that will help us track down what is causing the fault.

DinNC · #13 09-06-2007, 07:09 PM

So it worked for a few miles anyway....now I am back to square one. I did find out some codes that were listed: P1570,P0703, and P0505. The connections checked good, so I dunno...the car still runs and drives great.

DinNC · #14 09-06-2007, 08:15 PM

'A faulty speed sensor would cause the traction control, ABS, speedo and odo to stop working too so you may have an intermittent problem or just a dirty connection at the sensor. I'm not sure where it is on your E300 though since it is different than mine...maybe someone else can chime in as to the location of the speed sensor on a '96?

Also, when you say the speedo and odo stopped do you mean the display on the odo was blank? It could be the wiring to the cluster is loose...that's easy enought to check and could be disturbed by the adjustments you made to the steering wheel's position.'

The display remained lit as usual, as did all of the dash lights. The speed sensor sounds like a good thing to check. Thanks

TMAllison · #15 09-06-2007, 09:38 PM

I'd guess first and last are not related especially if you've had battery or low voltage problems in the recent past (I believe you said you had a new battery. Why?). The question then is if Circuit B really is related to the brake switch or rather to monitoring a speed sensor (at the rear diff?) to initiate braking if ASR calls for it.

P0505 Idle Control System Malfunction

P0703 Torque Converter/Brake Switch B Circuit Malfunction

P1570 Intermittant No-Start Immobiliser Module

I have no expirience with any of those codes....