Hello my fellow AMG fans, let me introduce my self

[GTCHAMPION]

'03 E320? ok you have an SBC brake system, Sensotronic Brake Control, the noise you hear its from the SBC control unit which is the pump, that is normal, but when I have service some vehicles, after running a quick test I had a code saying that the SBC pump treshold milage has been reach, I believe that Mercedes Warranty the SBC unit for 150,000 miles Im not sure, and its price is about $900, just to service your vehicle, when doing brake pads and rotors, you have to deactivate the SBC with the laptop, when you bleed or exchange the brake fluid, the only way to do it is with the laptop, when servicing the SBC or running upgrades it only can be done with the laptop, on many vehicles I have heard the SBC pump very loud which is normal, any Mercedes with SBC Unit must be service at a dealership only or by a proffesional with the knowledge and the equipment, one easy way to replace your brake pads if you have SBC without using the laptop is to open the hood, lock both of the hood latches with the hood open, make sure you dont forget to unlock the latches before closing your hood, LOCK your vehicle globaly(must have key out of ignition and lock the vehicle with remote key meaning setting the alarm too), wait untill vehicle goes on sleep mode(untill lights in cluster are completely off, this may take from 30sec. up to 3min.) and unplug the SBC unit, after this you CANNOT open any doors or put key in the ignition or touch any electrical component inside the vehicle because you dont want to wake up the system, make sure you know what you are doing, after that you may removed and replace your brake pads, then you may plug back the SBC unit, unlock your vehicle, unlock hood latches, and you should pump your brake pedal a few times before starting the vehicle, that is the onlything you can do without an SDS machine, but you have to make sure you know what you doing, because it may be dangerous or may cause damaged to the brake system. I have seen many SBCs going bad, and just replacing them is a headache, if its warranty, must do control unit log, deactivate SBC control unit if it has not been deactivated yet, remove and replace part, run a computer update, perform inital start up on new unit, bleed brakes, relearn the brake pedal(why relearn... because the brake pedal feel is a virtual feel that you get, due to the SBC hydraulic unit, there is no pressure on brake pedal, it has to be simulated so you wont have any issues when driving), all this can only be perform with the SDS machine, and since the SBC is so delicate, Mercedes highly recommend that you should or must replace the brake fluid every 2 years or every 30,000 miles, I think it may be every 24,000miles Im not sure, but it is every 2 years, it may be expensive to have a vehicle with SBC but it is top of the line in performance. But about the noise, if you service your vehicle at the dealership or with a proffesional that knows what he is doing with this type of vehicle, you should not having any problem and the loud pumping noise comming from the SBC is normal. Wait... what warning message are you getting??? is it a red message where it says STOP... VISIT WORKSHOP??? if that is the warning you getting, I think you got lucky and you set a code, or the SBC unit got damaged, if you replaced the brake pads by your self, and you have this type of message now, I see it hard that the dealer will warranty the component, it may be possible though, but I doubt it. Like I said, the SBC system... including replacing brake pads must be service by a person that has been well trained to do this. I wish you good luck and let me know how things turn out.

PS. Hope you just set a code and that there are no problems with the SBC.
Also there are a few recalls about the SBC, one is about a hydraulic hose, anotherone is to inspect the SBC Unit, modify the harness and perform a computer update from which half of the time the SBC unit get to be replaced, and I think there may be a 3rdone but I dont really remember.

[8AL8]

Yes, Ricky.

I'd replaced the front pads and back roter for her.

This must be the 3rd times I did replaced the pads for her....this car is already 140k miles on it.

I never had this kind of pump noise before until last month....and no problem replacing the pads.

Warning about "Take to service shop!!"....did not go away after I'd changed the pads....I didn't had this problem last time....after I changed the brake sensors on both side.

Can you tell me about CODE and HWO to reset this warning???

And I think...she did had a issue with brake did not work while she was driving on freeway once a fwe year ago......she had to pull over and toll away....than found out about recalled.


Let me know...Thanks.

Gary

[GTCHAMPION]

Well, to clear the code you need an SDS machine, there may be an aftermarket scanner with the software for SBC system for Mercedes, Im not sure, I really havent look for aftermarket tools for Mercedes, now the SBC is programmed to give cerntain amount of pumps, after that the factory highly recommends to replace it, but you should get a message, there cant be much done without a laptop on this case, sorry. I know there are many independent shops around the nation that have a factory SDS machine or there are some dealerships that wont charge you a lot to diagnose your vehicle, it all depends on how nice and the knowledge of the service advisor. Most likely you only have a code at the moment, that the computer thinks there was a problem, and since the sensotronic brake control system is very delicate, that code cannot go away without a laptop.

Originally Posted by 8AL8

Yes, Ricky.

I'd replaced the front pads and back roter for her.

This must be the 3rd times I did replaced the pads for her....this car is already 140k miles on it.

I never had this kind of pump noise before until last month....and no problem replacing the pads.

Warning about "Take to service shop!!"....did not go away after I'd changed the pads....I didn't had this problem last time....after I changed the brake sensors on both side.

Can you tell me about CODE and HWO to reset this warning???

And I think...she did had a issue with brake did not work while she was driving on freeway once a fwe year ago......she had to pull over and toll away....than found out about recalled.


Let me know...Thanks.

Gary

[8AL8]

Thanks, Ricky.

I will try to disconnect the battery and reconnect it and see would that go away or not.

[GTCHAMPION]

I dont think by disconnecting the battery will work, thats only on OBDI vehicles.

[8AL8]

you are correct.....I did tried yesterday..by disconnect the battery to reset....did not work....I guess, I have to go to dealer or shop.....

[GTCHAMPION]

right now you have codes stored for brakes on SBC control module, instrument cluster and central gateway, the only way to clear them is with a laptop, now there may be aftmarket scanners that may do the job, Im not too familiar with the aftermarket equipment.

[xxForgedxx]

Well good, now I have someone to refer to if I have any technical MB AMG questions! You just opened yourself up to a ton of future PMs I bet HAH!

[xxForgedxx]

By the way. I was considering getting myself in to a C55 AMG however the maintenance, unpredictability and cost of parts/repairs have got me spooked. What do you think?

[GTCHAMPION]

C55 is a very strong and fast car, very reliable, I havent seen any problems with those at all, and the service cost about the same as a regular C-class. Im looking forward to get the C63 in a couple of years, I just fell in love with the exhaust sound, it has the loudest that AMG has ever made, sounds like it has an aftermarket exhaust, but it is all stock, I just love the way it screams 451hp is no joke for that car, and the way it handles is just great. if you road race with that car with the ESP off, you better be awake =)