'98 E300 TD Flashing ! triangle light
 

new to me 1998 E300 turbo diesel question here.

Starts fine, go to take off and it will start flashing the ! triangle light in the middle of the speedometer and it wont let it go past like 40mph or around 2000 rpms not sure. coast to a stop of just take it easy for a second and this goes away.

Seems like it only happens the first trip of the day or the first run after its been started.

Any ideas on what to look at?

Thanks

Sounds like the traction control or stability control thinks you're slipping? I would inspect for damaged wheel speed sensors, they get crudded up with metallic brake dust sometimes. I assume all four tires are same size?

You can disable the traction control by pushing the front-most button on the left side of the shifter. It will illuminate the triangle solid to warn you that you've disabled this system, but it will no longer engage the system and blink at you. You'll have to hit the button each time you start the engine (it does not persist). In fact you will definitely want to do this until you get it resolved, because when the TC engages, it selectively applies the brakes to one wheel - and it will continue to do so until it thinks the car has stopped slipping - or the brakes overheat and the pads catch on fire - whichever happens first. Ask me how I know.

I would also scan for codes at the 38 pin diagnostic connector (not the OBD2), as there may be an intermittent wheel speed code stored that will help narrow it down.

ok. will try to turn the traction control off and see what that does. thanks

to follow up... when he got the car there were different tires on the front and back. same size but the fronts were new and the backs were pretty worn out. not a lot of tread left on he back.

Since getting new tires on the back this problem has not returned.

That will definitely throw issues on the W210 system. BTDT.

First manifestation is a wonky cruise control, it will engage but not stay engaged.

yes! had those symptoms as well.