When I started my 86 300E this morning for my 1.5 mile commute, I notice the amber antilock dash light was illuminated. When I finished the drive, I turned the car off and restarted and all was well. Any recommendations on anything I should keep an eye on. I haven't mashed the brakes on this car yet,but stomped on the brake pedel fairly aggressively and did not feel the ABS.<br> <br> Thanks,<br> <br> Greg
Any time the anti lock is activated the light goes on, and stays on until the car is turned off and restarted. I wouldn't worry about it unless the light comes on and stays on.<br> <br> -C
On those humid days, I get the ABS kicking on now and then. Sometimes the light comes on. When the light is on, you have NO ABS, so be careful. Have your shop clean the ABS sensors up front and all will be well. <br> <br> Good luck, post followup.<br> <br> Edmund
Re: My car does it when the brakes are dirty (more)
Having not owned a car with ABS, isn't that only activated when you brake aggressively and feel the pedal pulsing?<br> <br> Thanks to all for the help, I haven't seen the light stay on again yet but am crossing my fingers.
Re: My car does it when the brakes are dirty (more)
The ABS light comes on to let you know the system failed to function properly. When the system detects no errors, the light stays off and the only thing you notice are the pulses in the brake pedal when it activates. The reasons for ABS failure (light on) are mostly in too low voltage (either faulty regulator and/or battery drained. Then it can happen that the battery takes most of the charging current resulting in temporary low voltage in other systems until it is charged. Also it happens that the belt on the generator is too loose (tension too low), slips and the battery doesn't get charged properly. When this happens though you mostly hear squeeking sounds to warn you). It also is normal for the light to come on when you e.g. rock the car to and fro to get from say snow or mud. Rocking forward and backwards repeatedly causes the light to come on but when you turn the engine and the whole system off and then back on the ABS functions normally. The third reason are muddy ABS sensors or even disconnected ABS cable on the differential. Also when the central unit for ABS fails the light comes on but in this case you need to have it either repaired or replaced.
Yes, only supposed to come on when braking hard (more)
But when my sensors are fouled, I get the ABS clunking and grabbing and letting go when I am almost coming to a stop, or at a drive through...at speed, I have no problems. On my car it happens every 15,000 miles...I just give the dealer a few buck to rotate my tires, check brakes and clean the sensors while the wheels are off. Then it is fine for another 15K or so.<br> Good luck,<br> Edmund
Greg,<br> <br> Replace your Overvoltage Regulator Relay, (it sits behind the battery). This is the most common part that mercedes dealers sell. Once it begins to fail, it causes the ABS light to illuminate even when the voltage has not dropped. This is because any drop in voltage disconnects the ABS system. The problem is that once this part begins to cause problems, it adversley affects many of the engine management systems, causing flooding, stalling, cutting-out etc.
Mine used to be one constantly. I had all sensors changes and also all of the hoses down there. (better safe than sorry). It was expensive, but better safe than sorry.
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