ABS/ETS finally FIXED!

[cameron07]

thank u sooo much my 96 e320 showed abs/ets aswell and i changed the brake switch and that was that did it my self and everything was gone thanks alotttt the dealer wanted to rob me big time

[donald1111]

Originally Posted by Guest

How to replace the Brake Switch REVISED as I have noticed there are nearly 2000 views on my original posting I thought I would improve it with some more photos.!)
mrwilliamsburg....
Please note that my car is a UK right hand drive model!

First you need to remove the underside panel of the drivers panelSee 4 photos with red arrows )
There should be 4 Phillips screws you need to undo first.

1 near the bonnet release.
2 near the front the opposite side to bonnet release.
3 underneath in middle
4 at the back above pedals.

With these screws removed you need to pull the tray towards you as there are clips on the front under steering wheel. Then near the centre console you need to pull downwards as there are 3 clips there also. That should be it! (Please note that I have added a photo showing the under try being pulled out which is on a left hand drive model, the steering wheel is also removed but obviously you dont need to do this!)

To remove the Brake Switch:
I found it best to put the seat right back and lie almost on your back on the floor. The switch is located above the brake pedal at the back. On the top of the brake switch in the 12 o'clock position, there is a little plastic catch, which you need to depress and then at the same time turn the switch clockwise a quarter of a turn. You may find it easier to unplug the two wires first. Once turned, you can remove the switch.
Pay attention to the length of the actuator (plunger),as it is on a ratchet system and your new switch needs to be the same length, otherwise it will not operatet properly.
Use an original Merc brake switch and just rotate the sitch anti-clockwise this time to fit back in the mounting.
Good luck, and I hope it fixes your car.!

Thanks for the great pictures and description. I fixed the same problem, with your help.
donald

[Marcosv]

Yes thanks for this forum. I was driving my 96 E320 on the Hwy and when I had to brake to pay the toll my dashboard lights ABS and ETS lights came up and I have got really concerned about and when I have found this forum and it was totally helpful. I have folowed your instructions in replacing the Brake switch and the lights went of right away spending only $23.00 in parts from Mercedes dealer. I love you guys for having me of being rip off from the dealer.

[gugi_sat]

Hi To wonderful ppl around here

I got the ets/abs prob for long time after so many visit to my local machnic, i decided to look on internet so here i am

yesterday i went on my back to see what switch i have in my e300 and it was the original merc switch with creamish top as shown in pictures. but i still have the ets/abs problem

so i am gooing to buy a new switch from merc dealer then see how it goes

i the mean time is there any other suggestion

and yeah when my ets/abs lights comes on on high speed my speedometer turns off

another thing ets/abs light come and goes, i mean it stay on for a while then it goes away .

any suggestions please

Regards

[gugi_sat]

Hi to u all

Switch was original,

as someone else suggested K40 was the problem

which was replaced yeaterday after a day drive i can confirm that no ets/abs light
thanx to u guys
Kind Regards

[legomybenzo]

Just replaced the brake switch purchased from fleebay $14.99 and all errors cleared.

[DieselTwins]

Originally Posted by gugi_sat

Hi To wonderful ppl around here

yesterday i went on my back to see what switch i have in my e300 and it was the original merc switch with creamish top as shown in pictures. but i still have the ets/abs problem

so i am gooing to buy a new switch from merc dealer then see how it goes

i the mean time is there any other suggestion

and yeah when my ets/abs lights comes on on high speed my speedometer turns off

another thing ets/abs light come and goes, i mean it stay on for a while then it goes away .

any suggestions please

Regards

I have had ABS/ETS warning lights and also the radio would switch off and back on from time to time. The alternator tested bad @30-60% output and the battery ran down after a week or so. I was about to order a K40 relay, a brake light switch and an overvoltage relay to just shotgun the whole thing and be done with it. But, I saw a post and I decided to check the battery ground connection to the body first. Everything in the battery compartment was extra clean and everything looked good. I went ahead and unbolted the ground cable from the body and it was pitted and pretty much nasty. I sanded everything down, cleaned it up, added a washer so the nut could make extra good contact. 30 minute test drive and NO warning lights. Also the radio did not cut out at all. I set the climate control diagnostic to read the voltage output and it stayed a solid 13-13.5, even at idle. Before it would fluctuate around from 11 or so to 13, and would drop at idle. no it stays steady all times.

Check those ground cables before you replace any parts!

[capone345]

hey all
quick question my abs/esp is not working at all lights and malfunction messages are appearing in my 02 e320
is this a brake switch problem does a brake switch malfunction cause the abs/esp to not function at all?
and is there a way to tell if it is the brake switch which is causing this problem?

any help is very much appreciated
thanks

[A1EK]

WOW I cant believe my orignial DIY fix to the brake switch issue has reached 5700 hits ! It gives a lot of pleaseure to think that I have helped people and stopped them from being ripped off by the dealer !!.. (PS I dont even have my w210 anymore as It was written off by a woman slamming in to the rear and twisting the chasis, I now have a CLK with the same fron lights as a w210 and loving it

As for capone345 question, the brake switch that sits upside down ontop of the brake pedal arm has a plunger that is depressed when the brake not pressed and extends out when the pedal is pressed (i.e 'push-to-break')

The switch is also involved with the cruise control, ABS and traction control, so you should find that when ABS/ESP light comes on your dash its usually after you have pressed the break pedal, the cruise, ABS and traction should now all fail (try one of them!) This is because the system is all on the same loop setup.
Hopefully therefore if you buy your £15 or $25 new Merc brake switch it should solve all your problems...best of luck mate.. A1EK

[capone345]

Thank you
i went down to mb this weekend picked up a new stop light switch and all the warning lights are gone!!!
thanks again