Hi!

Sorry for starting a new thread on this subject, but im a bit confused about this issue.

I just bought a 2002 ML500 here in Norway. The first couple of weeks I drove it in the south of Norway where it`s dry/wet normal roads, without any problems(ABS/ETS/ESP lights). Now i have moved to the north where the roads are covered in snow/ice and low temp.(-10'C).

I experience no lights coming on when driving slow, but as soon as the car slip/slide the "adapt driving style to suit road conditions"- light is blinking briefly, shortly after followed by the 3 ABS/ETS/ESP lights coming on. The lights are on until I restart the engine, then they dissaper until the next time I slide.

Hopefully someone in here can give me some advice on this matter... Maybe someone have experinced something simillar in these weather conditions?
Can it be caused by the snow/ice ?

Answers are greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance, and sorry about my english!

Your english comes through perfectly! When the lights lock on it is telling you that those functions have been locked out due to some malfunction. NO ABS might be the biggest loss, thought the brakes will function normally.

You may not be setting any codes but I would have them read anyway. Over here, we get free readings at Autozone, Checker, and most large parts stores.

other than the brake switch, which has a high failure rate on earlier models, I have heard that the steering angles sensor, built into the steering column, is also prone to failure. This sends a signal to the stability control circuit, which also manages ABS, ETS, etc. Even a low fluid level in the master cylinder will turn on the ABS light.

Ice and snow are not causing your problem, just initiating the lockouts!

Jim in Phoenix

If your cruise control does not work then it is the brake switch. Very common problem and easy DIY. See http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163-m-class/1166641-ets-bas-warning-light-fix.html?highlight=brake+switch+repair

Look this is how i look at it in my specific instance. I also stay in snow area in winter up North.

My specific problem would occur on wet conditions and all 3 lights would illuminate then eventully the engine light as well. As soon as dry conditions persisted for a day or two the initial lights would go out/stop illuminating and then eventually engine light. Now I am no auto electician but lets hope someone with more knowlegde can elaborate on DC electrics here. Now lets say as in my case you have exposed speed sensor wire rubbing on your chassis/body (live wire to metal) and the best conduit for electric is water/moisture.
Gen rule is that the speed sensor switches are either in open or closed what ever it is; its not required to have juice running through the wires under normal conditions iow its not on but when it snows or is wet and ETS registers a problem it sends elecrtical juice to/from the the speed sensor but because of the electrical short there is break in the juice to tell the ABS to be ready and perhaps ETS to slow down/stop/brake whichever wheel is slipping/going faster than the other 3 wheels as a result the computer or motherboard reads a break in the circuit the opposite to where ever the mode of the sensor should be under the Gen rule above - open/closed and shuts off the speed cruise ETS system ABS out safety reasons. Again I am no expert. the problem can be a faulty sensor, chaffed whire, screwed up motherboard. Now I don't possess much money so I looked and inspected after procrastinating for a while mind you and was very luck to find the broken and chaffed wires.
Perhaps you might like someone suggested attend an auto parts store they will run a generic fault code and someone in this forum was kind enough to post the meaning of these generic codes somewhere on this forum ( in my case PO 500 was not specific but did say wheel speed sensor Side A BUT not which specific wheel was having a problem in and around itself
but simply on the left hand side so fortunately only had to trace wires on the left side.

Now MB Doc has more experience and might suggest that you take it to MB and let them run the NON generic but MB compatable diagnostic transmission and engine fault finder which might specifially pinpoint a wheel, mother board or sensor etc. I guess it all depends on how much time or money one has in making ones decision
Again I could be wrong totally here but thats my cents worth

Thanks alot for quick and informative answers!

Today I did not experience any lights coming on when driving.
Both the cruise-controll and the ABS worked perfectly.

I am thinking of taking the car to a nearby MB-dealer to get the codes read.
Is it possible that the lights will be permanent off if they delete the codes?(If there are any)

Jfreezn is mentioning the steering angles sensor...Do any of you guys know if this is an expensive part?

upnorth