2001 Sprinter 316 Cdi Pullaway Assist Warning Light Fault

[twodogron]

Hi,
First let me explain this is a Sprintshift model....
On the Sprintsift model this warning light acts on behalf of the Sprintshift "Pullaway Assist" System.
On the NON Sprintshift model this light acts for the ASR
Anyone out there familiar with Sprinter Electrics or does anyone have experience of this problem.........
The "Fault" concerns the ASR warning light (the picture of a wheel with arrows pointing in both directions of rotation) coming on..
First let me say that I've taken it to Mercs Commercial twice so far for this fault.
To date they've put it on the diagnostic computer twice, first time they could'nt find anything wrong, second time (month later) they replaced the brake light switch in the footwell behind the brake pedal, that was on the 12th August.. and said that should fix it!!!
Now again today (30th Aug) after only 300 miles it came on again, first time since the 12th...
Symptoms :- VERY Occassionally the said warning light comes on for no apparent reason. I can get it to go out by switching off the engine and re-starting. It might not come on again for days, weeks or even months sometimes...... the vehicle performs 100% with no other noticible defects..
You might say don't worry about it, and I would'nt normally, but I want to sell the Van and wouldn't want the new buyer coming back to me in a temper !!!
Any ideas or solutions out there because (with respect) my local Mercedes don't seem to have much of a clue................... although in fairness to them I can never get it to repeat itself whenever I visit the workshop..
Anyone wondering about the lack of mileage in the time frame.. It's a Motor Home conversion...
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[DBTRANSPORT]

Just spoken to my mate who's a sprinter fitter for tesco and sainsbury fleet, he says 1st check the front wheel bearings and adj if nessasary also check the stator rings arn't corroded and rusty check the gap between the sensor and the stator somtimes rust,dirt small stones can put them out of adjustment. If all seems good at the front end move to the rear, check that there isn't a rear hub seal leaking grease/oil thats filled in the holes on the stator ring also check the gap on the sensor to stator if all seems good he said you could have a abs pump on its way out. He said to ask if youve been in and of the floods or steam cleaned the enging bay as this would point more to the pump.

My abs pump packed up completly a few yrs ago (after steam cleaning the engine bay) and put this light on, had a new pump fitted and all's been good.

[twodogron]

Originally Posted by DBTRANSPORT

Just spoken to my mate who's a sprinter fitter for tesco and sainsbury fleet, he says 1st check the front wheel bearings and adj if nessasary also check the stator rings arn't corroded and rusty check the gap between the sensor and the stator somtimes rust,dirt small stones can put them out of adjustment. If all seems good at the front end move to the rear, check that there isn't a rear hub seal leaking grease/oil thats filled in the holes on the stator ring also check the gap on the sensor to stator if all seems good he said you could have a abs pump on its way out. He said to ask if youve been in and of the floods or steam cleaned the enging bay as this would point more to the pump.

My abs pump packed up completly a few yrs ago (after steam cleaning the engine bay) and put this light on, had a new pump fitted and all's been good.

Thanks DBTransport,
I'll check those hints out, thanks for the suggestions.....
No, I haven't been in any floods or steam cleaned the engine bay..
Just curious, but wouldn't the above show up as error codes when checked out by Mercedes, they say (and I witnessed the read out) that no error codes were present so they were going to try some other "possibilities", like the Brake Light Switch, which they have already changed, and now the ABS Control Valve which I am told is an "E"xpensive job.........
You know how "try it and see" solutions can rack up the costs.........
But that's not the real issue,
The real issue is that I would gladly renew what ever needs renewing if Mercedes could assure me that it would be 100% fixed, but the whole point is, they can't........... so if they go ahead with another "possiblity" and the light still comes on I doubt if they will give any refund...........................They'll just suggest taking it back to try some other "possiblity".............

Best Regards,
Ron..

[DBTRANSPORT]

I know how you feel had similar experiance earlier this year when I had a fault with the gearbox, my dealer called after 2 days asking me if they could fit a switch on the gear lever and if this didnt fix it could they then fit a selector valve pack, Both items once fitted would have to be paid for and although the switch was £45, the pack was £400+!! I refused and instructed them to strip the box they then found broken teeth on a gear.

As for error codes apprently they dont allways produce ones with the faults listed above. You need to be a mechanic, not just a man that can read a computer and fit bits and bobs.

It annoys me to hear of fitters in main dealers so confused over what, if they were to take a step back from the computer and think about the basics for a moment, may be a simple mechanical failure, not everything can have a sensor on it and even if it does what if the sensor's wrong!!

[twodogron]

Hi DBTransport,

Just thought I would conclude this thread by letting everyone who's interested know the latest outcome in this trivial yet annoying little saga.........

After my 3rd visit to Mercs yesterday 3rd Sept they found a stored error code C1408,, Pressure Sensor........

This is attached to the ABS Control Valve, after checking the adjoining wiring, the Pressure Sensor Sender Unit was replaced.
Everything now checks out as normal but then it always has done on conclusion of my previous visits.

Sorry if I sound sceptical but we shall see with time..........

However, on a positive note MB are confident this will cure my current headache..

For anyone thats interested the MB Pt No. of the Pressure Sensor Sender Unit is MA003 542 05 18..

All the very best and thanks for input...

[express71]

hi does anyone know of a mobile fault diagonstics guy who can check the mercedes sprintshift gearbox for faults and who has the relevent computer/software as my 313 cdi pullaway
brake light has come on and i do not want to take to a merc dealer thanks .