2006 320CDI ABS warning
 

My 2006 Mercedes 320CDI is showing brake service needed, see workshop.
Why fix it if brakes are working fine. Has good pads. Any suggestions? Thank you

Post a photo of the warning display.

There are more than one brake system warning. Some you can ignore.

One, you cannot.

brake
 

ok. so I took a picture with my phone but can't seem to figure it out how to get it on this forum. However, it reads: BRAKE
Service brake
Visit workshop
Hope this helps.

Merrill

If it was built prior to June of 06 it has what is called an SBC system. You will need someone with the appropriate computer to diagnose it. The braking module will probably need to be replaced.


You can read a little about it here:

the end of SBC

Thanks for your input, Yes it is an sbc system. Isn't that simply put an anti skid device? and I had driven vehicles w/o antiskid for many years. The brakes are working fine so am I really in any great danger if the system is not working? Thx Merrill

Only when it quits working and you need them. Just always be prepared to press really hard on the brake pedal when it happens.

Yes, you are in great danger if the system suddenly fails. Currently the system is warning you that it will fail in the not-too-distant future.

The SBC pump and accummulator (the two parts most likely in question) can be rebuilt at significant savings. That's my plan when the time comes.

You need to get the codes read by someone who has the necessary software.

In my opinion the first message that the system gives is not nearly urgent sounding enough.

Find a 13 year old kid to help you get the photo posted. There is only one of the service brakes messages that is all gloom and doom. It will end up shutting down the car. The other is just the brake pad wear sensor. If the warning is in red, then you have trouble if you keep driving. Visit a dealer and have the service manager look at the warning message and advise you.

You can have new pads and still have a bad brake pad wear sensor.

If the warning message is displayed in white it may be something as simple as a stop-lamp switch. The fault code for this is C215C, if I remember correctly.

If the message is red that's a whole 'nother story..........

talked to Mercedes service manager he says "with the warning I have as long as the braking is normal not to worry about ABS. " thanks for all your comments. MW

I hope you meant "SBC". "ABS" is nothing to worry about and ABS and SBC are NOT the same.
There are three basic warnings with the light you have- one means to change the SBC pump, one is the accumulator on the SBC and I forgot what the other is. I had the light and it coded as a bad accumulator- so I bought one and had it changed out- but the accumulator wasn't bad in the first place. If your SBC is nearing the end of the lifespan it'll tell you- in the warning light you are seeing now(but as I said it could be something else). If the SBC pump then does "end it's lifespan" then the warning turns red- at any time (ie could be while you are driving)- and then it basically refuses to work and your brakes have a reduced capacity- meaning you have little to no brakes. People have died. Get to a indie that'll be able to correctly diagnose the issue and clear the code and light.

This thread
 

Please read this thread: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/390970-infamous-sbc-impending-failure-warning.html


I replaced the SBC module, and it is not as expensive or as hard as I thought it would be. If your SBC module is nearing the end of it's serviceable life, it would be wise to have it replaced. There is many things I like about the W211 platform, but the SBC (MY 2003-2006) is NOT one of them. MB went back to regular ABS in MY 2007 in the W211, and has not used SBC since. Having this problem in no way warrants getting rid of the car. Many have done this though......Rich

Near as I can tell, it hasn't been proven that if the service life counter hits zero while in flight, the system will leave you without primary braking force.

The SBC was tested and determined to have X brake applications before failure. Adding in a safety margin + variability of mass production and you end up with some % of X where the system goes to a white early warning. After more brake applications the system goes red to force replacement of the SBC to minimize the chance of a sudden failure.

It makes absolutely no sense for a red end of service life warning to shut the system down while in flight as end of service life is a safety strategy. Sure, it may shut down after a key off cycle but it should never do so in flight. A strategy of shutting down in flight when the service life counter hits zero wouldn't even make if past an engineering intern.

Now, if a part actually fails, the system might go red and quit working but this isn't the same as a service life counter.

The SBC issue has been discussed in the past.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/373590-sbc-how-difficult-stop-car-once-goes-out.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/377294-2006-cdi-sbc-falure.html

^ note post 12 , 15 , 17 where the guy wants to commit fraud and my response in post 19

Good links ^^^^^^^^^^

What makes sense and what is may be two different things. It makes sense to put a weight sensor in the passenger seat to determine if that airbag should or should not deploy in an accident- but MB also puts one in the drivers seat.

Does MB have a 2 stage ( 2 power ) air bag system? If so, a driver seat would need to weigh the occupant in order to select between high power for a heavy driver and low for a lighter driver.