ABS and ASR Dash Lights
 

From reading my manual for my 92 400E when these lights come on they disable the Anti lock Brake System and the Acceleration Slip Control. Now that it is winter when these lights come on it has become a issue and this problem has only come up in the last 6 weeks. They come on with no definitive situation. I start off, the lights are off and then they come on with no specific condition, acceleration, deceleration, braking or slipping on ice. I can even be in cruise control mode and they light up. My plan is to take the car to my dealer this week but I would like to have info about the system and what could cause this issue so I can discuss the subject . Please help.

How old is your battery? I had occcasional problem with same lights and recently with cold weather, car started to be slow to turn over. New battery solved problem.

I was impressed though, since car had the original battery---8 years is pretty good service.

They did have the throttle actuator and engine wiring issues on your model year that can cause these issues.:D

There are a number of things which can cause this to happen. If you haven't already done so, do a search on "ABS ASR light" and you'll see what others have experienced.

Hopefully your experience will be like mine -- a bad brake switch ($15) rather than a bad throttle actuator ($900 +).

Had ASD/ASR episode w/ 92 600sel. Hot engine, climbing low speed mtn roads, low airflow and old battery. Next day did MB dealer diagnosis, got code for switch in Throttle Actuator and low battery. Battery was old and replaced on spot. Still have Check Engine light, but no ASD or ASR lights and no limp home mode. You are 1st person to mention Battery issue. I always felt that w/ the complexity of the 140 electrical systems using older technology, that quality of the electrical power source could be a serious factor in these problems. Other early-mid 90s cars w/ heavy reliance on electronics get finnicky when their batteries get older, even US brands like Ford and Chrysler. Heat seems to be the other big issue, damaging wire harnesses, pc boards, pcboard components, other engine compartment electrical components, and melting coatings/insulations that foul contacts and sensors,etc. I'm working a heat reduction plan and looking at a Throttle Actuator refurb effort since these are $3000ea fromMB.