Blinking of ESP and ABS activation with auto-braking on bumpy roads on a 2002 MI ML320

Blinking of ESP and ABS activation with auto-braking on bumpy roads on a 2002 MI ML320

I have a 2002 MI ML320. Recently, it has started something weird–ESP's blinking on a speedometer, triangle thing flashes and activates the ABS. Brakes like auto-braking but it happens only when I go on bumpy roads.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :

You’ve got a problem with the speed system on that car and those things are very complex. What you’d want to do is watch my video "fixing insanely complex modern cars," and you’ll see how complicated your car is.

Your Mercedes Benz really needs what is called a star tester hookup. Star tester is 26,000 dollars and it takes years to learn how to operate those things. So you are most likely going to have to go to a Mercedes professional.

The technician is going to need a star tester if they are going to work on that system because it’s very complex. I have a star tester, and to tell you the truth, every time I end up working on one of those systems I generally never end up fixing them. Because when I tell a customer "here’s what we’ve got to start out with, that’s going to cost you 2500 dollars," they just say "ugh" and they live with it or get rid of the car. If you’d like, a technician from YourMechanic can diagnose your ABS light issue and let you know if there are any more practical repairs.

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The ABS (anti-lock braking) and ESP (electronic stability program) lights usually come on at the same time because the two systems share components. WHen the lights are on, it means that the controller has seen a malfunction and stored a fault code describing that malfunction.

What Causes ESP to Malfunction? A common cause is a faulty wheel speed sensor, often described as an ABS sensor. Bolted to the suspension, down in the depths of the wheel, brake and hub assembly.

The Mercedes-Benz ESP® warning light is there to warn you that either ESP® is actively working to stabilize your vehicle (when flashing), or that the system is disabled (when the light stays on). In the first case, drive carefully, as the limits of your vehicle`s stability have been reached.

If both the ABS and the brake system light come on at the same time, your vehicle is no longer safe to drive. This means there is a serious problem with the car`s braking system and continuing to drive puts yourself and others at risk.

When the warning light is on, it could mean that a sensor has gone bad or needs cleaning. It could mean that the module has gone bad. A steady warning light indicates a problem that may affect your safety. A blinking light is a warning that your safety may be endangered if you drive.

Yes, it is safe to drive with ESP light on but we wouldn`t recommend it? If your ESP light is on it means you`ve switched it off or there`s a fault with the system and it`s not operating correctly. As a result, it won`t be able to stop your spinning like it would do if it was operational.

What is the ESP Warning Light? The electronic stability programme warning light will usually show when your car loses traction if you are driving over a slippery surface. It will usually flash while the system is activated and then switch off when traction is regained and your car goes back to normal.

When you steer erratically, the ESP also tells your engine to cut down on power, which has an impact on how much power is sent to each wheel. Unfortunately, when driving in bad weather, the failure of this system can be quite dangerous and result in serious accidents.

ABS and ASR prevent the wheels from locking and slipping. ESP stabilizes the vehicle in critical situations by applying braking forces to the appropriate wheels.

ESP warning light

ESP has a dedicated dashboard warning light, which is a yellow car with two skid marks beneath it. This warning light will flash if the car is at the edge of grip and the system activates, which is particularly likely if you drive on a slippery surface.

Flash sometimes: If the ESP light flashes while the vehicle is in motion, the ESP or traction control system is intervening. This is a normal feature. On constantly: The ESP light may be constantly lit if the “ESP off” button was pressed. The ESP can be reactivated by switching off the ignition and then on again.

What to do When You See ABS light on Dashboard? If you are driving on a slippery road and the abs light on your dashboard flashes for a brief second, it means that it has interfered and made some corrections. If you notice no difference in the way your vehicle is handling, great, it means the ABS is working properly.

Press the gas pedal 3 times in quick succession. Then, turn your engine on all the way and let it run for a minute. The TCS and ABS lights should reset and go away if there isn`t any underlying problem with your traction control system.

The ABS or traction control system may be inadvertently activated by these false or inaccurate signals. There is a good chance that during the course of having the tires changed, the wheel sensors may have been bumped or moved causing them to trigger the ABS light to come on.

How does an ESP® work? The key components of an ESP® are the ESP® Hydraulic Unit, wheel speed sensors, the steering wheel angle sensor, yaw-rate and lateral acceleration sensors, and the Engine Control Unit (ECU).

The yaw-rate sensor — the heart of ESP®

The anti-lock function will stop working properly, which may increase the distance it takes to safely stop your vehicle. The rear tires will lock, which will increase vehicle swing on turns and may make your vehicle more difficult to control.

Resetting Your ABS Dashboard Warning Light

Step One: Disconnect the positive cable from your car battery. Then, hold down the brake pedal to drain the vehicle`s electrical system. This will result in a reset of the car`s central computer. Plug the cable back in to restore power.

ESP®, or Electronic Stability Control, is the name Mercedes-Benz gives to its powertrain management system. Its main goal is to keep the car on all four wheels and facing forward at all times.

ESP operates mostly through the ABS, but also relies on TCS to detect subtle differences between the driver`s control inputs and the actual response of the vehicle.

In order to operate, your ABS system needs electricity. This is controlled by the anti-lock fuses and relay. The first fuse (a 10 amp fuse) must be good in order for electricity to flow to the relay, and the relay must function to provide power to the second fuse (a 30 amp fuse).

We only recommend turning the feature OFF when needed in Soft terrain such as Sand. If you have any questions relating to your make and model and the use of ESP please contact us so we can have you understand how your make and model works.

Signs of a failed ABS system include ABS light always ON, on your dash, the car not braking correctly (brake pedal feels different to normal), or loss of control while braking. Reduced braking performance – A failing ABS relay can cause reduced braking performance, especially during hard braking.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Blinking of ESP and ABS activation with auto-braking on bumpy roads on a 2002 MI ML320

ANSWER : You’ve got a problem with the speed system on that car and those things are very complex. What you’d want to do is watch my video "fixing insanely complex modern cars," and you’ll see how complicated your car is.

Read Full Q/A … : Blinking of ESP and ABS activation with auto-braking on bumpy roads on a 2002 MI ML320

Chrysler 300 2005 abs not working. Code c2116. Does this mean my abs pump is dead for sure? Or could it be abs sensors.

ANSWER : Hi there. Take a digital volt meter and check the voltage on the harness to the ABS control motor. There should be a battery voltage present. If the voltage is low, then there is a break in the wiring from the computer to the ABS control motor. If the voltage is normal, then the ABS control motor has a burned cell and the ABS controller assembly would need replaced. This will effect the ESP system as well and set off the lights. If you need further assistance with your ABS system not working, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Read Full Q/A … : Blinking of ESP and ABS activation with auto-braking on bumpy roads on a 2002 MI ML320

I notice that if DSC is ON and I go from a bumpy rough road to a Smooth Straight Road. I hear a "kum" "kum" sound from the rear.

ANSWER : DSC is your car’s "Dynamic Stability Control" which is a form of traction control. Your car is equipped with sensors that monitor changes in the ride of the car which detect uneven surfaces or bumps in the road. These signals are relayed to the DSC system which then attempts to regain control of the car. The sound you are hearing is this system working properly as it should. This should be nothing to be concerned about.

Read Full Q/A … : Blinking of ESP and ABS activation with auto-braking on bumpy roads on a 2002 MI ML320

ABS malfunctioning

ANSWER : Your ABS system is not required to maintain driving the car regularly. The ABS is primarily based upon wheel speed sensors that relay wheel speed to the ECU which then determines whether or not there is a correction needed and then engages the ABS system. When these sensors are bad this will cause the ABS system to engage incorrectly when it is not necessary. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your home to diagnose and repair your ABS system.

Read Full Q/A … : Blinking of ESP and ABS activation with auto-braking on bumpy roads on a 2002 MI ML320

Brake, ABS, ESP off and ESP idiot lights on

ANSWER : Hi there. Have you had the battery and alternator properly tested? These are the heart of your electrical system and, if faltering, can produce those lights. Once the hiccup or falter dissipates, the system returns to normal with no codes to lead us in any direction; just scratching our heads. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with an ABS light inspection.

Read Full Q/A … : Blinking of ESP and ABS activation with auto-braking on bumpy roads on a 2002 MI ML320

ABS issue on a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI

ANSWER : It often is on those. Those are very expensive computer-driven systems. I have a video "fixing ABS brakes on your car." Watch that. But, once you’ve watched that, you are going to realize that you are not going to try to figure out yourself, because the computer I use in that video is very expensive.

You don’t just want to guess with an expensive module. Those things are really expensive. I know there are remanufactured ones out there, but from my experience they are poor quality. You really need to buy a new one. Whenever I replace them, I always use new ones, because the rebuilt ones can often have problems. Have the brake system inspected by qualified mechanic. They will be able to assist you with diagnosis and a repair for this problem.

Read Full Q/A … : Blinking of ESP and ABS activation with auto-braking on bumpy roads on a 2002 MI ML320

Have a dull sounding vibrations every now and again if on a bumpy road or road hump 2003 Hyundai Trajet

ANSWER : Hi – most likely, the vibration you sense is caused by something under the car moving in an excessive fashion. The muffler for example, or other relatively heavy component, may have weak rubber hangers or bushings supporting it, and it is moving – and vibrating – when you go over a pothole or bump. I recommend a vibration inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

Read Full Q/A … : Blinking of ESP and ABS activation with auto-braking on bumpy roads on a 2002 MI ML320

Fitted new ABS to car, abs is for auto and my car is a manual

ANSWER : Check the part number of the ABS module against your vehicle’s VIN number. If the part is not cataloged for your vehicle, then the only solution is to remove it and install the correct part that matches your VIN number. If the part number is correct but the warning light re-appears after the codes are erased, the system must be diagnosed.
If you desire that a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, resolve this by installing and/or programming the correct part please request ABS system diagnostic/controller installation and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Read Full Q/A … : Blinking of ESP and ABS activation with auto-braking on bumpy roads on a 2002 MI ML320