S430 New front struts new ESP and ABS lights
 

Good afternoon to the brain trust. I have a new issue I don't understand. I replaced the front rear control arms and airstruts on my 2002 S430 over the weekend and now have the BAS warning, ESP lights, Airmatic visit shop and very heavy steering for some reason???. I did not remove the airmatic fuse but disconnected the battery. I have run the steering wheel full stop both directions but no change. Does anyone have input on the symptoms/ Thanks for any help you can give.

Brian

I should have also posted the suspension is very stiff as though the selector is on two for firmness.

One of your rear wheel speed sensors is either unplugged, damaged, or faulty.

I will jack it up and look today. It was the front struts I changed though. Thanks for the advice

Checking Air-Matic for fault codes would be the way to go, but if this isn't possible make sure the level sensors are properly attached to the upper control arms at the front. Common mistake if you don't look closely!

Thanks for your help I will look closer at those tonight and post.

I'm also going to ad that I am having some trouble with my shift lever lock out which over the past month or so seemed to stick a couple of times is now very precarious. I've ordered a new brake switch and have read that the BAS and ABS as well as the ESP warnings can be related to.

I have an OBD II simple diagnostic tool but I don't believe I can read transmission or ABS (and related) codes. None were present when I looked for existing or pending codes. I did pull the front wheels and visually and manually inspected the sensors and all seem to be in order. Perhaps one of the new Struts has an issue. I ordered a new brake switch and will install that tomorrow.
thanks for the help so far guys.

Brian

No luck with the new brake light switch

Bzoo - you have a shifter going bad...
 

This happened to me a while back and quite quickly once it started acting up. Your days are severely numbered...a small plastic part in the shifter assembly appears to be your shift lever misbehavior.

Over at the other forum is a well documented how to to fix:

[benzworld.org/forums/w220-s-class/1455706-shifter-stuck-park-handy-tools-heres.html]. Additional threads add tips such as how to do it without going under the car. Just search "shifter" or "shift lever".

It looks complicated but if I could do it, most anybody can.

Note also but not mentioned in the how to - mine also had a small plastic nut on a plastic stud sticking out of the front of the shifter module that you can't see. You'll find it by feel -IIRC, it is an 8mm nut.

This is an astonishingly expensive repair at the dealer (they won't fix the shifter - they require a whole new shifter assembly and coding/programming to your vehicle) Well worth the 3 or 4 hours of your time.

You also have to decide if you want to delete that broken piece without replacing it - you lose that lock out safety freature. You can source a new lever to replace the broken plastic one. It is metal and I believe someone over in Australia offers them (surprise - a couple hundred bucks if I recall but a new shifter from MB approaches $2K!)

If I am correct in believing this is your shifter problem, you don't have long before you're immobilized...

Good luck,
Kevin

New lever source
 

Bzoo -

I found the source for replacement levers - $179 for metal, $129 for plastic @ [ ESM Gear Selector Levers ]

I forgot to mention which vehicle I had to do this on. It was SWMBO's S500. I can hardly wait for my '01 CL55 to crap out (same shifter assy and weak plastic lever).

Just found another source for the lever on sale for $35:
[ #C101 2202679724 11mm 00-06 Mercedes Shifter Selector Lever W215 W220 CL500 CL55 AMG CL600 S350 S430 S500 S55 AMG S600 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 ]

And a how to video link for the S430 assembly [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsxUFVtdPHk&feature=player_embedded ]

Regards,
Kevin

Thank you very much. I have been using the neutral...parking break....blade to lock key so I can at least avoid the car leaving me stranded. Also want to add here the BAS airmatic ESP issue was I had not fully replugged ( the locking clip fit back on perfectly?) the new strut and associated sensor assembly. That puzzle done anyway.

Thanks for the help. I will look at the shifter this weekend and post.

Thanks

The BAS ..ESP...Airmatic warning was the passenger front airstrut was not plugged in correctly. Steering returned to normal...all lights are out...and I will dig into the shifter this week and post what i find.

thanks everyone

Shift lever repair
 

Hi,

Trying to order the shift lever repair kit and there are 2. One 5mm and one is11mm. The only thing I have figured out is one is so and so manufacturing date 2000 and older and one is such and such manufacturing date 2000 and newer. Does anyone know which is which?

Thanks

Brian

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