ABS visit workshop, ESP visit workshop on 2003 E200 W211

[supereagle]

Hi! I recently went to see a 2003 E200 for sale, a W211 chassis. It is in an immaculate condition with 110,000 miles on it. When I started it I noticed these two malfunctions on its cluster:

1. ABS, Visit workshop.

2. ESP visit workshop.

The owner was not home and I left after inspecting the car. The very next day I got a call from the owner and I told him about the two errors. He then told me that the errors were gone and that I could test drive the car. I took it on a test-drive and noticed no malfunctions. It was pretty amazing that a day before, the errors were there and the very next day they were gone. I noticed that the car was very well kept .

Here are my question:

1. Why the car showed two malfunctions a day before and no malfunction the day after?

2. Did the two errors imply a failing SBC module (break pump)? Will it come back again? Someone has told me that the error will come back again and eventually we'll have to change its SBC pump. A common problem with a pre-facelift W211s.

3. Can a DAS diagnostic scan tell us whether the SBC is failing?

Please help. Thanks.

 

[Smart320]

Could be a battery with low charge : alternatively ABS wheel sensor ( not expensive ) not an expert on
SBC but think when warning light for SBC brake unit is showing it would not clear itself

 

[AMGeed]

1. The owner probably cleared the codes with his Generic code reader. Quite likely they will return unless he had a battery with low voltage as mentioned above.

2. Neither of those errors indicate the SBC pump is about to fail. You'll get a warning in red like the image below if your SBC pump has failed.A white message indicates the pump needs checking and depending on the code displayed it may be able to be reset.

3. These units a have factory pre-set time counter on them to tell how many times the brake pedal has been pressed and a built in service check time (for your safety) which usually comes up as a grey light on the dash same as in the picture and you will have one of these fault codes logged in your Cars computer i.e. C249F, C235C, C235A, C2359, C2498 (OPERATING TIME OF COMPONENT A7/3 IS EXCEEDED) on your SBC ABS hydraulic pump.

SBC pump warning

 

[OneForTheRoad]

that warning should read Reduced braking , visit your nearest toilet .

 

[clk320x]

SBC pump warning
View attachment 76685

If you get the pic attached on your dash you are ****ED!!! lol

When you get the grey warning, get to your garage sharpish

Sorry Rog I know you know this, just had to quote your post so my comments make sense

 

[supereagle]

[QUOTE="supereagle, post: 26

Here are the pics of the two malfuctions displayed on the instrument cluster of the car.

 

[Smart320]

Not SBC , either battery voltage low or ABS Wheel sensor

 

[supereagle]

1. The owner probably cleared the codes with his Generic code reader. Quite likely they will return unless he had a battery with low voltage as mentioned above.

2. Neither of those errors indicate the SBC pump is about to fail. You'll get a warning in red like the image below if your SBC pump has failed.A white message indicates the pump needs checking and depending on the code displayed it may be able to be reset.

3. These units a have factory pre-set time counter on them to tell how many times the brake pedal has been pressed and a built in service check time (for your safety) which usually comes up as a grey light on the dash same as in the picture and you will have one of these fault codes logged in your Cars computer i.e. C249F, C235C, C235A, C2359, C2498 (OPERATING TIME OF COMPONENT A7/3 IS EXCEEDED) on your SBC ABS hydraulic pump.

SBC pump warning
View attachment 76685

@AMGeed Thanks a lot for such a long post. The owner told me that he recently got all the brake discs (rotors), disc pads and sensors replaced on all the wheels. Sometimes the error goes by doing the following:

1. Start the engine.

2. Turn the steering wheel all the way right and then all the way left. The error goes away. The owner told me that he drove a car a couple of miles and the error went away. He probably turned the steering wheel a few times in that run and that helped the error go away.

As Mr. @Smart320 has told that sometimes a faulty sensor gives such errors. Maybe the recent service done by the owner on the brakes created the hiccup.

I have uploaded pics of the two malfunctions on the instrument cluster with this post of mine.

Thanks and best regards.

 

[supereagle]

Could be a battery with low charge : alternatively ABS wheel sensor ( not expensive ) not an expert on
SBC but think when warning light for SBC brake unit is showing it would not clear itself

Thanks.

 

[supereagle]

that warning should read Reduced braking , visit your nearest toilet .

Thanks.

 

[supereagle]

If you get the pic attached on your dash you are ****ED!!! lol

When you get the grey warning, get to your garage sharpish

Sorry Rog I know you know this, just had to quote your post so my comments make sense

Thanks.

 

[supereagle]

Not SBC , either battery voltage low or ABS Wheel sensor

Thanks.

 

[Smart320]

Think there is also a wheel position sensor that can trigger same warnings, try searching on this forum

 

[wu56Shoozz]

Thanks.

Don't worry Rog, Abs is just tryin' to up his post count lols...then he'll tell you to buy a secondhand one, then change his mind...and back, and back, and back..

See how he does it? Lols! (Just foolin' Abs...)

 

[DSM10000]

Don't worry Rog, Abs is just tryin' to up his post count lols...then he'll tell you to buy a secondhand one, then change his mind...and back, and back, and back..

See how he does it? Lols! (Just foolin' Abs...)

Many a true word........................

 

[DSM10000]

A faulty brake light switch can also trigger odd warnings.

If you like the car is it possible to get it to a local MB indie to run a quick Star check? Probably cost around £50 but might be worth it for peace of mind?

 

[clk320x]

Don't worry Rog, Abs is just tryin' to up his post count lols...then he'll tell you to buy a secondhand one, then change his mind...and back, and back, and back..

See how he does it? Lols! (Just foolin' Abs...)

You cant buy a second hand SBC

I always buy new when needed in fact I think I’ve only ever fitted one used part, that being the light & rain sensor on the E. Everything else from MB

A certain someone will agree with you though Dave

 

[clk320x]

Many a true word........................

I’m pretty sure he’s blocked you

 

[DSM10000]

I’m pretty sure he’s blocked you mate

It wasn not meant for anyone in particular "mate"

 

[clk320x]

It wasn not meant for anyone in particular (deleted)

Sorry I’ll edit out ‘mate’

I’d rather get on with everyone than hold grudges and have arguments, so I’m happy to apologise and start a fresh if you are...

Enjoy your weekend