210: ABS/BAS/ESP Malfunction
 

My 2001 210 wagon startled me this morning. I was out driving like the proverbial little old lady on the way to church, it being Sunday and all. About a mile from home, the car started beeping like a slot machine hitting the jackpot. The ABS and BAS/ESP lights came on, and the display registered three malfunctions; one each for the BAS, ESP, and ABS systems.

This event did not exactly make my day. :( Being crotchety and all, I drove to my destination. On the way home, no problems, no malfuctions reported on the dash display.

So my questions are this: first, what the heck might have happened? Second, should I take it into the dealer; are there stored error codes? The car is under Starmark, so this isn't on my nickel. I want the car to be safe, and I want all the fancy electrotrickery to be functional, but I do have better things to do than spend my day off at the MB dealer.

Any thoughts on the matter?

- JimY

My first suspicion would be a sticking brakelight switch. ;)
After that, it maybe worthwhile checking the condition of the battery ( especially if it is the original ).

P.S. Don't let a little misbehaviour by your car make you crotchety, there are too many other things in life that warrant same. :D

Some codes or data should have registered. If Starmarked, let MB tell you whats wrong so you can sleep at night knowing it repaired properly.

I suspect you've got low battery voltage, especially if its the orig battery.

My seat of the pants guess would be a low voltage / low charging condition.

I get a BAS error sometimes during winter. I suspect due to short journies and using the heated windscreen/fan on full/lights.

Must get my battery checked....

I second the brake light switch.

i third the brake light switch.use only from dealer.

Thanks for all the good replies. The car still has the original MB battery, it's almost 7 years old! I've kept it serviced and not had any problems. I suppose a prophylactic replacement might be a good idea.

I bet it is the brake light switch. The malfunctions were thrown just about where I would begin braking for the stop at the exit from my neighborhood. Given that it's a common failure part, that's gotta be it. I'll call my service advisor and get it scheduled in - Starmark can buy me a new one.

- JimY