W210 ABS BAS WARNING
 

I just bought a 99 E430 with 166k on it. After driving 10 - 15 miles the abs bas lights come on and stay on until the car is shut off. It will stay off until another 10 - 15 miles. Can i read the codes from these computers ? I have a OBD2 scanner. I tried it in the plug under the dash and got no codes. But this was after the warning was gone. Thanks

Sorry, ODB2 scanners can only read engine codes on that car.

You would need a dedicated MB scanner for those codes.

With the car in park and the engine running turn the steering wheel full left then full right and back to center.
This should reset the sensors and extinguish the warning lights.
Have you had a low voltage or battery problem recently?
The warning lights usually come on with a low voltage problem.
Had the same problem with my 1999 C43...;)

Odds are that the brake light switch has failed. Besides turning on the brake lights, it has lots of other functions, and this is a common failure and issue on the W210.

Resetting will work only for a short while.

It's easy enough to change and I'd recommend buying the part at the dealer. There are lots of knock-off/aftermarket switches that are pretty bad and even at a greedy dealer it's only about $25. When you have the switch in hand, drop the lower dash panel (four screws?) and you'll see it up along the brake pedal arm.

If you take it in the dealer may charge you upwards of $300 as they will plug it in to SDS and futz around for a while on it. Of course you get "free" coffee and a "complimentary" car wash. :rolleyes:

Thanks I will try the reset and check the switch.

Changed light switch. No good. Went to check voltage at cig lighter its dead, fuse is good. Will fix that then monitor voltage next.

Failed to mention i had a bent tie rod that kept the steering wheel at about 1 o'clock position while driving straight. Replaced tie rod and had alinghment done. No more abs bas warning. Could this have something to do with wheel position sensors ?

Yes...
It prevented you from performing a full lock to lock then return to center motion that I previously posted.
It's how you reset the system after a low power or power loss condition.

Check voltage at cig lighter with ignition off or on ?