ABS, ESP and BAS failure - Benzworld.org

JQ · 09-06-2002, 03:44 AM

I drive a 2000 E430. Three times in three months I got the message "visit workshop, 3 mal-functions, ABS, ESP and brake failure". Message disappears after turning engine off and on again (one time I had to do it twice). ABS really did not function when I got the message (I tried to break hard and the brakes locked) but it started to work again when the message disappeared.

Any ideas what could be the reason for this? If I remember correctly all theses three times the weather was wet.

**Frank** · 09-06-2002, 07:04 AM

That happened to me last year and the car just stalled. Luckily I was able to pull over and nothing happened. The car was towed and they found a faulty MAS (mass air sensor).

Bring it in ASAP.

JQ · 09-06-2002, 07:12 AM

If it is the air mass sensor, it could be related to the weather.
Problem is that I can not just leave the car to the garage, if I want it to the guarantee I need to take it from Switzerland to Germany (2 hour drive and I need a 2nd car to go back to Swizerland), my Euro-guarantee is only valid in EU. But I guess I should do this before my 6 month warranty expires. The problems with these kind of faults that only appear once per month and then disappears, is that usually the garage finds nothing. But on the other hand, if it happens again after warranty expires it should still be fixed on warranty if I asked them to check the car before it expired.

**Frank** · 09-06-2002, 07:22 AM

Why only 6 months ? Is this the remaining warranty ? Replacing the MAS shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes. Resetting the computer, 5 minutes. (actually, just turn the steering wheel all the way to the left then all the way to the right) - all the warning lights will disappear, temporarily if there is still a fault.

What I suggest is, if you have a camera, snap some pictures when it happens, then bring it in and show them the pics and state how many times it has happened. From what I gather, it's a known problem and should be resolved very swiftly.

Frank

Quote:

If it is the air mass sensor, it could be related to the weather.
Problem is that I can not just leave the car to the garage, if I want it to the guarantee I need to take it from Switzerland to Germany (2 hour drive and I need a 2nd car to go back to Swizerland), my Euro-guarantee is only valid in EU. But I guess I should do this before my 6 month warranty expires. The problems with these kind of faults that only appear once per month and then disappears, is that usually the garage finds nothing. But on the other hand, if it happens again after warranty expires it should still be fixed on warranty if I asked them to check the car before it expired.

JQ · 09-06-2002, 07:39 AM

Why only 6 months?
I bought the car used in Germany (because prices there are US$ 10,000 cheaper than Switzerland plus much more choice of cars). On a two year old car, normally you don't get more than 6 months.

Taking a picture was a good idea, thank you!

srangappa · 09-06-2002, 02:38 PM

I suggest you get the steering angle sensor checked. I had the exact same symptoms. Note that interestingly, the error codes were NOT stored once the car was turned off, so I also suggest you drive to your dealer when the next episode occurs, & do not turn the car off until they see the warnings, and access the codes.