ASR LIGHT
 

ASR light came on twice in the last 10 days.
Pulled the codes
Built in led
6 Idle speed control faulty
Pin 8
8 ISC system at upper or lower control stop or CC or EA indicates ''limp home" mode
Pin 14
3 Right EA/CC/ISC actuator (left cylinder bank) (M16/1)

No CEL light

Does this mean the the ETA is going or the electrical wires are toast like the ones on the engine I had to replace 4yrs. ago.
It's for the 95 E320
Thanks

ALL codes point to a problem with the throttle actuator.

Thanks for the reply MB DOC.
Today it won't even recycle turning the car off and back on as soon as you touch the gas pedal the ASR light comes on and goes in limp mode. Cleared the codes and checked again, got the same codes theres a squeeking sound coming from ETA while the ignition in 2nd positon.
Looks like I'll be shopping for a new ETA.

Thanks

Kranje,
I recently posted a ETA in the parts forum. It is a rebuilt by BBA. When my problem reappeared, I tried another ETA and found that I don't need a ETA but have an electrical gremlin some where. I have the rebuilt for sale.
Anziani

Update
 

After looking on the internet for ETA, very expensive part. I went today at local junk yard and found one on 96 C280 same part no. for $40. that worked out good. The one that was on my car the electro magenetic clutch was not engaging, the gears just kept on spining.

Problem solved.
:)

My money is on the battery. That is where mine definitely is.

Now that the weather is warm the problem does not occur. After nearly 3 years of observation that is the one component that reacts to variations in temperature and humidity -- the only conditions under which my ASR faults occur.

The computer senses there is not enough battery power to run the electrically-operated ABS pump and disables it, which cascades to the ASR and triggers the limp mode. Perhaps if the ASR circuit was not isolated from the rest of the systems, limp mode would be automatically overridden.

Problem is, I have one of those tough-guy batteries that won't quit and I have been slow to replace it if it is still mostly good. When I do, I expect the ASR issue will be gone as well.

I thought the same thing when the AS-Reamer light came on a few times during the coldest days of winter. All I had to do was wait a minute for the car to warm a bit and restart.

OK guys, that is a valid theory. Only on my car, the ASR light never comes on and the limp home happens just once within 1000' of my house in the AM and never happens again until the next morning. And the battery is new!
Anziani
'93 300CE 189K
'95 E420 118K

Does your AS-Reamer light come all with all the others with the key fully turned? It may be burned out...

There's not much to go on until you pull the codes...

Yes, ASR light lights and the ASR system works as I can break the rear end loose and it lights up.
Pulled the codes and are always the same: pin 8, #8 ISC at upper or lower, or CC or ea indicates "limp home" and
Pin 14, #14 Closed throttle position contact switch.

The only thing I haven't tried is a EA controller.
Anziani

I am still sold on the battery root cause for my car. We had our first cold/cool snap this weekend and it was, "Welcome Back ASR." But I will be replacing the battery soon. I will not endure another winter of this.

I have also concluded that Limp Mode, as it pertains to this issue, was engineered in to protect MB from liability lawsuits. Lack of electric power for the ABS pump should not mean automatic denial of full engine power. Unfortunately for us, once ASR is disabled, an E320 becomes a hot rod.

Though I have only experienced this for the first few seconds after recovering from an ASR fault, without ASR power management my car flies. So I imagine, back in the mid-90s, MB lawyers thinking, "If we allow the cars to operate without ASR and ABS, and someone gets into an accident, they will turn around and sue us for a "defective" product. So let's protect ourselves and cripple the car, even if that means careful, responsible drivers will never get to experience the full capabilities of the vehicle."

Sigh. :(

Perhaps those elusive makes of the ASR defeat chips should instead shift their focus to a Limp Mode defeat chip. Or was that already the path they were on?

Eric, there's always the jumper in the 38 pin diag connector route. Works fine for me with my c280 when the ASR is acting up.

ASR on 124s has soooo many links in the chain that can cause shenanigans. Anything from tail light contacts on the soldered board, along to wheel sensors and all the way to the expensive parts, AND moisture!

My ETA was replaced by PO, I re-soldered tail light boards, and I have noticed since I only drive it in dry conditions now, I have no issues. Drive it in a rainstorm, and sometimes it will stumble and trigger a light. Hmm....