Under the left side of the dash, the brake pedal lever rests right on it. "Just like any other car" i guess you could say, nothing unusual in it's location.

Gilly

Gilly, I have the same ETS light issue right now @ 101,000 original miles (98 ml 320). Is the brake switch replacement a reasonable DIY or would you recommend it be left to the dealer? or a trusted indie?

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87 300e (white/black; amg body kit)
88 300ce (red/cream; amg body kit)
93 300ce cabrio (white/blue/blue top)
93 300ce cabrio (black/grey/black top)
98 ml 320 (totaled @ 137,000 miles)
99 clk320 (black/grey/black top)

At 60,000 our '99 ML320 started showing the BAS / ESP warning light. There was a reset procedure in the owners manual that did not work (involved turning the wheel back and forth, etc.).

I just checked and the brake lights are working so I'm thinking it's not the switch Unless even a poor contact not a failing contact might cause this). I guess it's time to try and get the codes.

What we see is everything is find but the moment I put my foot on the brake to take the thing out of Park it comes on and stays on for good.

Now just the other day I got a very intermitant 'brake wear' warning. WTF? We just had the rotors and pads done at the dealer not 12,000 miles ago... could they be that worn out already?

Could the pad warning trigger the BAS light? When we had the brakes done last time the pad wear indicator came on but no BAS / ESP warning lamp.

Help? Suggestions? The dealer is over a 1 hour drive for us.. I'd like to be able to at least do something to remedy/diagnose/repair at home before subjecting myself to a 70 mile drive into the city with it maybe not braking correctly...

PS. The wife says it does not seem to brake *exactly* as it normally does. With the temps in the 30F here I'm hesitant to start taking things a part.. my poor old hands don't like the cold but if it sounds like something mechanical I'll start pulling off wheels etc. etc.

TIA for any advice.

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I would check the rear brake pads they are most likely worn if not check the front pads... The BAS/ESP light is most likely the brake switch . You can DIY both.

I'll check the pads. I'm gonna be pissed if they are toast after only 12,000 miles. I can't imagine they should be word that fast. My track bike and track car do not eat up brakes that fast!!

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DIY brake switch repair information here http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1166641&posts=14&hl=brake+switch

When I had this problem, the dealer (under warranty) replaced the "internal acceleration sensor" which is located in the center console. Part # 163-542-06-18 (2000 ML320)

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Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

Brake switch was a cheap part but it did not fix the problem.... Crap. Can places like AutoZone scan the codes to get the error or do I need to take a long drive and have the dealer scan the vehicle for the code?

So much for the easy fix...

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My '98 ML320 started playing with BAS/ESP light in ...1998.
First the game happened on summer together with an 'emergency attitude' of trasmission (you can use 1st gear only):you can imagine how happy on the highways! finally dealer solved it with substitution of the 'low gear actuator' that cost me a fortune (later somebody told me was an origin problem solved by Mb under warranty)
Anyway after 6 month...again and again till now. The only solution dealer found during these years was ..reset the controller! ...but now after 6 years and no more warranty they say I have to change BAS/ESP controller (estimate cost in Italy is almost 2k$!!).
What i found strange is that every year the game start on late spring ending on fall and even now nothing happen when is cold (at 25° F BAS/ESP works perfectly!). This make me even more doubtful on the controller.
Any help will be much appreciated.

Hi Guys, I bought a 1998 C230, and I am getting a BAS light. Now when i went to the dealer he said, it needs to be resetted because it came on when he replaced the battery. Can anyone shed some light on this? thanks.