srs and light goes on and off

Stuttgart · 03-19-2006, 02:29 PM

this is on a mercedes benz c230 97, when driving in the city it goes on, when on the highway it goes off and on, goin to the stealer next week but would like to have a rough idea if its a big problem or a fuse most likely. thanx

98Dinan3 · 03-19-2006, 03:36 PM

don't know anything about the benz, but I would guess abs wheel speed sensor. Need to have it scanned to find out which one.

Stuttgart · 03-19-2006, 06:15 PM

thanx dude!

soon2b-e · 03-19-2006, 08:20 PM

actually, SRS = Supplemental Restraint System= your airbags, check all your airbag sensors, there should be 1 in the front thats bolted to your rad support, just look for it, the ground for the sensor may have rusted or rotted and it keeps coming loose, another one is in the back, but your gonna have to get under the car for that one
just check that before you go to the stealership and they charge you for a scan and to reground your airbag sensor = $$$$$

Stuttgart · 03-19-2006, 08:46 PM

good call, thanx I'll check them tomorrow morning.

98Dinan3 · 03-20-2006, 05:07 PM

sorry man, was half asleep. Was thinking it was benz's traction control. My bad

Stuttgart · 03-21-2006, 01:46 AM

i looked at it again, and it says ets and abs now
wtf?????????????

soon2b-e · 03-21-2006, 07:16 AM

ETS- Electronic traction system
ABS- Anti-lock braking system

probably best to go get a scan and find out which wheel speed sensor, thats what it sounds like anyways, if it was just the abs alone or traction control i would be worried ($$$), but since both of those systems use a wheel speed sensor, it could be just 1 of those....still not cheap, but better then replacing an ABS computer or Traction control computer

EDIT: you might and you might not be limited to stealership, some higher end franchises (ones that carry the scanner, we use the snap-on scanners) may be able to help you out without ripping you off, its proven that the stealership will try to gouge you, but most of the franchises and such only replace what needs to be replaced..so you can save your money by actually going around to some of those shops (midas, meineke, speedy, etc)

Justin e36 · 03-21-2006, 08:52 AM

yep, it's a wheel sensor / speed sensor alright.

Stuttgart · 03-21-2006, 02:49 PM

thanx guys! do u think rust build up caused this?

soon2b-e · 03-21-2006, 05:13 PM

probably not, the wheel speed sensor is just a magnetic pick-up sensor that is basicly sending back dots or beeps of how fast each wheel is turning, the reason why a wheel speed sensor would go is because the sensor is probably dead