Any reports about ESP malfuntion and how to identify and correct it? Specifically, my ESP light comes on and sometimes the ESP brakes the truck and impedes my advance, this always happens when moving from a standstill.

Unfortunately it's intermittent. The dealer has replaced the BAS/ESP brake switch and a transfer motor in the transmission (I think) on separate service calls. The last time there were codes which lead to the transfer motor swap. The problem persists. Also, I burned through a set of brake pads after 10K miles, no load no crazy braking. Now on the last check they say nothing found, but the brake wear is down to 50%, 18K on the odo. They say the brake wear is normal, I say look at my tires which aren't worn and look like they'll go 50K miles.

Subjectively, if I turn off the ESP, the truck feels peppier...any suggestions on how to proceed analyzing the ESP operation would be appreciated!

Rgds, Ed

__________________
Ed "Don't Benz's just feel better..."

Current wives...
2000 ML430 Skyview "The Mel"
2000 CLK430 Cab "The Cab"
85 300D Turbo "The Diesel"

Past wives...
92 300E
85 190E

"One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to
avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond
this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny, and is likely to
interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."
Bertrand Russell

I'd recommend having the tech drive the truck with the SDS computer installed during the test drive and monitor all 4 wheel speed sensors.

Gilly

Thanks Gilly!

Can you tell me what SDS stands for?

__________________
Ed "Don't Benz's just feel better..."

Current wives...
2000 ML430 Skyview "The Mel"
2000 CLK430 Cab "The Cab"
85 300D Turbo "The Diesel"

Past wives...
92 300E
85 190E

"One should as a rule respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to
avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond
this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny, and is likely to
interfere with happiness in all kinds of ways."
Bertrand Russell

Star Diagnosis System, it's the shop computer, it can be installed into the car during a test drive and the actual values monitored.

Gilly

Geez, Gilly knows his stuff! Do you work for a dealership?
I was going to say that the wheel sensors sound like the culprit since the problem is intermitant and because it is actually applying the brakes. Usually, if it is a control unit, the system seems to be totally inoperative and the only symptom is the light on in the cluster.

__________________
Andrew
300e 294,000mi
380sel 185,998mi
380se 309,980mi

No, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night!

(You're from down under, so you've probably never seen this ad, a short explaination: In this TV ad, they'll show for example a surgeon, just removing his mask after surgury, and the nurses are all horrified "You're not the doctor!!!", and the guy will respond as I did above).

I was at an MB dealership for about 9+ years up until this past spring.

Gilly

Please help me, I'm cramped over from laughing so hard. Great reply.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician