ESP light NOT coming on!!

[mr. shr]

Hi all,

Whilst driving along today, I pressed the 'ESP off' button on the dash of my W220. I was expecting the yellow triangle to light up in the instrument cluster, but it didn't.

Manual says that pressing this button should deactivate the ESP and show the yellow symbol. (As it did on my W208).

On engine start up, the light comes on for couple of secs and then goes out, as it should, so light works ok.

Any ideas? There are no malfuctions coming up on the display.

 

[BlackC55]

Maybe the illumination bulb for the triangle has blown.

 

[Dieselman]

Maybe the illumination bulb for the triangle has blown.

He said it illuminates on start up.

Possibly a switch fault.

 

[recycled]

Well if the light comes on on startup then it can not be that. do you not have to press it for like 10secs or something like that?

 

[mr. shr]

Well if the light comes on on startup then it can not be that. do you not have to press it for like 10secs or something like that?

I thought of that too so tried holding the button down for a few secs, but no joy. The light came on instantly on my W208 and manual doesn't mention time delay.
So i need to remove the switch to investigate?

 

[BlackC55]

He said it illuminates on start up.

Possibly a switch fault.

I must read the threads properly. I keep doing it.

 

[recycled]

check the switch and its electrical contacts

 

[MBManInKen]

I thought of that too so tried holding the button down for a few secs, but no joy.

I can confirm there should be no delay, on my s-class if I press the button, the ESP light in the cluster comes on straight away.

 

[mr. shr]

I can confirm there should be no delay, on my s-class if I press the button, the ESP light in the cluster comes on straight away.

Exactly as I'd expect.
Looks like I need to inspect the switch.

Now to work out how to remove the wood trim!!!

 

[mr. shr]

Just pulled the comand unit out to try and get to the back of the ESP switch.

The bank of switches on the wooden molding strip sit on top of the upper panel control module. I need to remove the wooden strip in order to get to this control module.

I've removed the glove box and undone the two nuts that hold the strip down. But I can get the strip off.

Anyone give me any pointers on getting that piece removed? Frightened of forcing it as don't want to make matters worse!!!

Thanks.
shr.

 

[mr. shr]

OK managed to remove the wood trim and and remove the upper control panel that houses the switch.

Checked for continuity on both 'buttons' on the ESP switch. Open circuit when button not pressed. Closed circuit when pressed.
So it seems the switch is fine.

Are there any other reasons I could investigate as to why the ESP doesn't disengage when I press the off button?

(Gotta go to the stealer, haven't I?)

 

[BlackC55]

Maybe the "upper control panel" is faulty.

 

[mr. shr]

Maybe the "upper control panel" is faulty.

Maybe, but all other buttons on that panel work:

Airmatic
ADS
Lock/unlock doors
Hazard lights
Tow away/interior sensor
Rear head rests down
Parktronic off.

All of the above are fuctioning correctly. It's just the ESP button that doesn't do anything.

 

[television]

Maybe, but all other buttons on that panel work:

Airmatic
ADS
Lock/unlock doors
Hazard lights
Tow away/interior sensor
Rear head rests down
Parktronic off.

All of the above are fuctioning correctly. It's just the ESP button that doesn't do anything.

I have never seen any reference to your problem, just thinking, how many people have pushed the button to see what happens. If you want to put up the next 3 numbers after 220 I will do a detailed search

 

[MBManInKen]

just thinking, how many people have pushed the button to see what happens.

Good point. As it happens, I have the habit of checking regularly whether or not everything is working properly, even the functions I rarely use. I suspect this might not be the rule though .

 

[Dieselman]

Good point. As it happens, I have the habit of checking regularly whether or not everything is working properly, even the functions I rarely use. I suspect this might not be the rule though .

I do that too. How sad...
sometimes check the S/W switch and ESP.

 

[MBManInKen]

I do that too. How sad...

It's time we both get a life .

 

[mr. shr]

I have never seen any reference to your problem, just thinking, how many people have pushed the button to see what happens. If you want to put up the next 3 numbers after 220 I will do a detailed search

WDB220070 Do you need more?

Checked both ESP fuses today but they are both fine.

I'm assuming that the ESP system is still working and suck in the 'ON' position? (Got to be better than stuck in the 'OFF' state.)

I thinking of finding a gravelled area and flooring it to see if the triangle flashes. Not the best way to test a system, but not really sure what else to do.

 

[Dieselman]

Just hold it on the brake, floor it and let the brake go. That should cause the ESP to intervene, especially at a junction in the wet....Oh and it'll be good fun too.

 

[mr. shr]

I do that too. How sad...

And me!!! Hence I discovered this prob. (Almost wish I hadn't now!! What you don't know......)