Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.
Home >> Mercedes Benz >> 2000 >> SL 500 (129.068) V8-5.0L (113.961) >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Brakes and Traction Control >> Antilock Brakes / Traction Control Systems >> Description and Operation >> Electronic Stability Program (ESP) >> Driver Information Systems

Driver Information Systems



NOTE: For model name/model number cross reference refer to Model Designation Table. Application and ID

Models 129, 140, 202, 208 and 210





There are displays with various symbols in "he instrument cluster for ESP.

Switching On Ignition And Starting Engine
When the ignition is switched on (ignition/starter switch position "2'), the warning and malfunction indicator lamps in the instrument cluster (bulb check) come on and go out when the engine is running.

Driving Mode
In driving mode the warning lamp in the instrument cluster flashes as soon as the ESP is working. It provides information about the ESP control mode and warns the driver when a wheel spins and he has approached the physical limit with his vehicle. He can therefore adapt his driving style better to the road conditions. The warning lamp does not come on during a very short ESP control mode.

If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp or ABS, MIL comes on while driving and goes out again after a while, the cause is battery undervoltage or overvoltage.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp Evaluation
Vehicles Without BAS
If the ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on when the engine is running, there is a fault in the networking of the ESP. ME-SFI and ETC systems. ESP is inoperative but the ABS function is retained.

It is possible to continue driving with reduced engine power (accelerator changes over to emergency running mode) if there is a fault in the electronic accelerator (EA). On vehicles up to 05/96 the EPC MIL comes an in addition to the ESP MIL.

If the ABS and ESP malfunction indicator lamps come on when the engine is running. there is a fault which affects both control circuits and both systems are switched off.

Vehicles With BAS:
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on when the engine is running. there is a fault in the networking of the ESP, ME-SFI, BAS and ETC systems. BAS or ESP is inoperative. The fault may be in the BAS or in the ESP:

Models 129,140.210 with engine 104,119,120
In the first case (BAS fault), ESP is retained and in the second case (ESP fault) the BAS function is retained. The ABS function is retained in both cases. If the ABS and BAS/ESP MIL come on when the engine is running, there is a fault which affects the ABS and ESP control circuits and both systems are switched off. The BAS function may continue to be retained.

Models 202,208,210 with engine M111, 112, 113, 604, 605, 606, 616, 612 or 613:
In the first case (BAS fault), both systems are inoperative and in the second case (ESP fault) the BAS function is retained. The ABS function is retained in both cases. If the ABS and BAS/ESP MIL come on when the engine is running, there is a fault which affects the ABS, BAS, ASR and ESP control circuits and all the systems are switched off.

It is possible to continue driving with reduced engine power (accelerator changes over to emergency running mode) if there is a fault in the electronic accelerator (EA).

ESP OFF switch (S76/6)





The warning lamp in the speedometer illuminates permanently when the ESP OFF switch is pressed. if one or both drive wheels spin, the warning lamp (warning function) flashes. In deep snow and when snow chains are fitted, the sensitive, stability-orientated ESP control may have a detrimental effect on starting off characteristics.

The ESP can be switched off in such cases. The drive moment control circuit is then no longer active. The ESP stability function continues to be retained when braking. A brake intervention on one side can be effective up to a speed of 60 km/h while starting off.

Models 215 and 220





There are displays with various symbols in the instrument cluster for ESP.

Switching On Ignition And Starting Engine
When the ignition is switched on (ignition/starter switch position "2"). the warning and malfunction indicator lamps in the instrument cluster (bulb check) come on and go out when the engine is running.

Driving Mode
In driving mode the warning lamp flashes as soon as the ESP is working. It provides information about the ESP control mode and warns the driver when a wheel spins and he has approached the physical limit with his vehicle. He can therefore adapt his driving style better to the road conditions.

The warning lamp flashes for approx. 1 second after the ESP control mode has finished. The warning lamp does not come on if ESP control mode is on for a very short time.

Indicator Lamp And Multifunction Display Evaluation
If the multifunction display reads: ESP EL. STAB. PROGRAM -CONSULT WORKSHOP" when the engine is running, there is a fault in the networking of the ESP systems and the respective fuel injection and ignition system. ESP is inoperative and the ABS function is retained.

If there is a fault in the electronic accelerator (EA) it is possible to continue driving with reduced engine power (accelerator pedal changes to emergency-running mode)

If the ABS MIL comes on when the engine is running and the multifunction display signals:"ESP EL. STAB. PROGRAM -CONSULT WORKSHOP there is a fault in both control circuits and both systems are switched off.

If the multifunction display reads~ "BAS BRAKE ASSIST- CONSULT WORKSHOP" when the engine is running, there is a fault in the brake assist system. BAS is inoperative and the ESP and ABS function is retained.

The fault is stored in the respective control module and can be read out with the diagnosis tool.

ESP OFF Switch (N72/1s1)





In deep snow and when snow chains are fitted, the sensitive, stability-orientated ESP control may have a detrimental effect on starting off characteristics.

The ESP can be switched off in such cases. The drive moment control circuit is then no longer active. Stake intervention on one side can be effective while starting off up to a speed of 40 km/h. The warning lamp in the speedometer illuminates permanently when the ESP OFF switch is pressed. it reminds the driver that the ESP is switched off. if one or both drive wheels spin, the warning lamp flashes. This applies to the whole speed range.

Model 163








There are displays with various symbols in the instrument cluster for the ESP.

In deep snow and when snow chains are fitted, the sensitive. stability orientated ESP control may have a detrimental effect on starting off characteristics.

The ESP can be switched off in such cases. The drive moment control circuit is then no longer active. The ESP stability function continues to be retained when braking. Brake intervention on one side can be effective while starting off up to a speed of 60 km/h.

The ESP warning lamp (Ale41) in the speedometer is illuminated permanently when the ESP OFF switch (76/6) is operated.

Basic Information On Actuation Of The Indicator Lamps
Actuation of the indicator and malfunction indicator lamps is interlinked i.e.:
- When the low brake fluid level/parking brake/brake force distribution indicator lamp (A1e7) is actuated, A1el7, A1e35 and Ale47 is also always actuated at the same time.
- When the ABS MIL (A1e17) is actuated, A1e35 and A1e47 is also always actuated at the same time.
- When the ETS MIL (A1e35) is actuated, A1e47 is also always actuated at the same time.
- The BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp (A1e47) can come on on its own

Switching On Ignition And Starting Engine
- When the ignition is switched on (ignition/starter switch position 2). the warning and malfunction indicator lamps in the instrument cluster (A1) (bulb check) come on and go out when the engine is running.

Indicator/Malfunction Lamp Evaluation
- The ESP warning lamp (A1e41) flashes in driving mode as soon as the ESP performs a control intervention (not if the driver brakes at the same time or the ESP control intervention is very short).
- The ESP warning lamp (A1e41) warns the driver when one or more wheels are spinning or when the driver is approaching the physical limit with his vehicle.

The driving style can then be better adapted to the road conditions.
- If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp (A1e47) comes on while driving and goes out again after some time, the cause is battery undervoltage or overvoltage or the steering angle sensor was temporarily not initialized.

- If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp (A1e47) comes on permanently while the engine is running, there is a fault in the networking of the ESP, ME-SFI or BAS systems. The fault may be in the BAS as well as the ESP. In the first case both systems are inoperative and in the second case the BAS function is retained. The ABS and ETS function is retained in each case.

- If the ABS (A1e17), ETS (A1e3S) and BAS/ESP (A1e47) MIL come on when the engine is running, there is a fault which influences the ABS, ETS, BAS and ESP control circuits. In this case all the systems are switched off.

- If there is a fault in the electronic accelerator (EA) it is possible to continue driving with reduced engine power (accelerator changes to emergency-running mode).

NOTE: There is an entry in the fault memory of the ESP, SPS and BAS control module (N47-5) if one of the indicator lamps is actuated due to a system fault.

pro multis · About Operation CHARM