Urgent help - ASR/ABS light on 92500SEL

[joelpdavis]

Folks,
I have read up on all the fabulous information on the ABS and ASR problems on the forum, but still can't make out what might be some of the problems:
First, the ABS and ASR light came on even before I started the car and stays on all the time.
Second, the water temp gauge is not functioning
I noticed in a previous post that a 500E owner had the same problem.
Third, the lights have been coming on intermittently at slow speeds and/or when going over a bump while turning - although restarting the car always eliminates it.
Fourth, I just posted about having my air pump pulley go south but don't believe that it has failed yet and don't think this could be the problem.

PLEASE, any ideas before I have to go to the dealer on how I can diagnose this?
Why would the lights be on before I start?
How do I know if Limp home mode is on?

92 500 SEL (140) 100K miles

[Benzmac]

Low voltage can cause this. If the pulley went south and slowed the belt, you could have a low voltage situation.

The system should be checked for voltage at the base module and the codes should be checked and cleared then retested.

I am not sure, but this sounds at little like the famous "Wiring Harness" gremlin at work.

Only problem is that after searching on this board, the harness problem only has surfaced on the W124 and W202 models.

Benzmac, MB Doc, anyone, has this occured on the W140 as well?

[joelpdavis]

I'll get back to everyone tomorrow with my findings on the serpentine belt. Right now, the pwr steering seems sluggish, wtr temp gauge out, ASR/ABS lt on..... and I smell something burning....like the air pump clutch or perhaps the belt. I guess I would be surprised if the belt was slipping, but I'll let everyone know.
Thank you to all again.
Joel

[Kebowers]

My 94 SL600 recently died on me (carried to dealer on flat bed, started right up on arrival) It had been flashing the ASR/ABS lights infrequently when going over rough spots.

Dealer techs found loose connection back by the battery. (Modules talking to modules wiring). Un plugged and replugged connections, fixed the problem. Cost $371 with tow.--flat charge to connect to diagnostic computer + 1 hr charge to clean and resecure all connections.

You have been warned. When it comes loose, the engine dies and will not fire. (Always on rainy nite in bad neighborhood) ONSTAR works great.

[joelpdavis]

Hi folks,
Here's the lowdown on what happened.

1. The ASR/ABS light went on due to a blown fuse probably due to the air pump pulley melting and shorting out (same fuse).
2. The air pump pulley and bearing were FRIED. Mercedesshop.com came to the rescue by tracking down the parts (all over the country) and shipping them to me ASAP. Thx.
3. The check Engine light came on due to the air pump not pumping and the O2 sensor not seeing a change in richness.
4. The ASR/ABS problem is due to the right front sensor 'going' bad. I'll clean, but tech says I'm buying time.
5. The water temp gauge is back now that the fuse is fixed.
6. The pwr steering pump is back at full pwr. Seems to be fuse related again.

So according to the tech, I'm now left with just a few problems; eng. mounts, belt tensioner, abs sensor, and an undetermined problem with pinging.

Thanks to all of you and especially Benzmac for helping me out.

Joel

Guys,

I have exactly the same problems some weeks back. The ABS/ ETS light switched on ...power steering sometimes semi work, the speedometer misfires and when you restart the engine, the light remains on but the engine misfires at times. Went to the mechanic who checks but the light refuses to come on. No one would believe you.
Found the problem. Bad battery it is. Had it changed and the gremlins just disappeared.

Joel,

Mine is a E200 4 cylinder W210 1995, Japanese Specs.
Read other threads on same subject posted by me. Doc is right. It is the voltage that causes the problems. Things like steering adjustment which doesn't work last time is working now as well. The car needs correct voltage to get things going. Too much of electronic.
Good luck.

As an update,

My ASR issue was traced to a bad brake switch located in the Drivers footwell.

[joelpdavis]

I shouldn't be surprised...but I am.
I put a new battery in the 500 and now I haven't been able to get the ASR/ABS light to go on. Go figure!
The battery seemed a bit weak and was 4 years old, but a new one is much better.
BTW: The tech that reset my codes indicated that the front sensor was going bad.

Thanks for everyone's help! Joel