Mercedes "ESP Malfunction Visit Workshop" Fix. How to Solve This?

One of the common problems that can bother you on a Mercedes vehicle is the "ESP Malfunction, Visit Workshop" error message on the screen. Unfortunately, there is no one certain unit that can malfunction and trigger this message. I can think of at least several dozen problems that may be in charge and I will try to let you know about the most common ones.

ESP malfunction message highlights

• Common reasons:failure inany feature connected to the operation of ESP
• How to fix:check the 12V battery, read codes
• Possible consequences:some safety features may not be working
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Carefully
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$200-$350

What does ESP do in your Mercedes?

ESP is a standard safety feature that is now presented in any new vehicle. Mercedes cars all have ESP for quite a long time. It stands for Electronic Stability Program and is actually a synonym of ESC - Electronic Stability Control.

This system works with the ABS and controls the braking power in each wheel separately. Also, it gets information about the wheel speed, steering wheel angle, throttle position, engine revs, etc. The ESP module gets a huge amount of information to make sure that the car firmly stands on the road.

Here's what happens if this changes:

• once the ESP system calculates the skidding or other stability issue, it kicks into action;
• the ESP controls the braking power on each wheel and makes everything possible to get the car back to stable driving;
• it brakes each wheel separately so that the car just can't go into a skid and stays firmly on the road;
• when the car is stable, the system just monitors the situation and doesn't affect your driving.

So, this is an important safety feature in your Mercedes. While it may be disturbing when you are trying to put your car into a controlled skid, it may save your life on the slippery road or at high speed.

Also, now you know that the ESP system communicates with a large number of units and sensors and it can trigger the "ESP Malfunction, Vitis Workshop" message in almost any situation when something sends bad readings or malfunctions in any other way.

What are the common triggers for the "ESP Malfunction" error message?

In your Mercedes, there are literally several dozen things that can trigger this message. I've spoken to a Mercedes dealership mechanic and also searched in forums and now I can tell you about the most specific and common reasons for this error message to appear. I hope this will help your inspection and will assist you in finding the actual reason for this problem.

Here's the list of the most common culprits:

1. Throttle body issues

The throttle body is also controlled by the ESP, so it can be one of the reasons you see this message on the dash. What's more, in some Mercedes cars, the throttle body is one of the most common problematic units.

First of all, you should check the condition of the throttle body. If it doesn't look clean, you may want to have it cleaned in the shop. Also, very often, the problem is not with the unit itself but with the sensors that are connected to it.

For example, the throttle position sensor is directly connected to the ESP control unit and may be the reason why your dash shows this nasty error message.

2. Steering angle sensor

Unfortunately, in some Mercedes cars, this sensor is pretty problematic and often needs attention. You may try resetting it by turning your steering wheel to the right till the end, then to the left till the end, and holding in the edge positions for about 5 seconds. But this doesn't always work.

The steering wheel angle sensor very often needs replacement. Fortunately, it will throw a certain code in the ECU and you will obviously locate the problem in no time.

3. ABS problems

It's quite possible that the problems with the ABS system may trigger the ESP error message. The problem is that the ESP relies on the ABS to control the brakes. And if the ABS doesn't know the speed of a certain wheel because of the faulty sensor or because it loses control over the brakes, the ESP just can't function at all.

That's why a bunch of ABS problems can cause your ESP inability to work. Of course, this will result in an immediate error message because the ESP is the safety feature and your Mercedes just can't let you drive calmly when it doesn't work correctly.

4. Brake pedal switch

It's not uncommon for the brake pedal switch to get faulty in any car. It may come in contact with some moisture from your shoes in the winter or it just may get bad at high mileage or when the age of the car is considered old.

When the brake switch malfunctions, your ABS and ESP will not know when you are pressing the brake pedal. It means they will be unable to help because they think you are not braking and can't get into action because of this.

It's not hard to check this. Press the brake pedal and ask someone to see if the brake lights are on in the rear lamps.

5. Wiring harness and connection problem

There were people who eventually found issues with the wiring harness under the hood that triggered the "ESP Malfunction, Visit Workshop" error message. Your wiring may be affected by water that accidentally gets under the hood or by heat. If the car is older than 10 years, it's very possible that some of the connections are corroded and the signal can't come through.

Also, the signal may be intermittent and you may get the message one day and not get on another day.

Can you drive when you see "ESP Malfunction" in your Mercedes?

Well, you can drive when you see this error message if your car drives well. If it's in a limp mode, doesn't go faster than 10 MPH, or doesn't shift to higher gears, it's not recommended to drive your car further than to the nearest repair shop.

I strongly recommend following some of the tips below to locate the problem before you continue driving. You need to make sure that everything is OK in your car. If you don't do that, you may get into trouble on the road and even get into an accident because the behavior of your vehicle can be unpredictable.

How to locate the problem in your Mercedes?

Unfortunately, locating the problem that triggers the "ESP Malfunction, Visit Workshop" error message is not that easy. Mercedes engineers are not dumb and they included the second part of this message not just for fun. It's really worth having your car inspected because you only have very limited possibilities to find the problem.

You can try the following:

• Turn the vehicle off and then turn on again. This will reset some control units and may help you get rid of the message, at least temporarily.
• Disconnect the battery. This will reset the ECU and ABS module. Maybe, some glitches have caused the problem.
• Recalibrate the steering angle sensor. Find a YouTube video explaining how you can do this.
• Check if the brake switch is working. Just ask someone to tell you if the stop lights are working when you are pressing the brake pedal.
• If you have the OBD scanner, read the codes. The codes will obviously give you more information on where you should look to find the problem.

There is nothing more you can do. Inspecting the wiring harness, analyzing the connections between different error codes, checking the ESP control module, and dozens of other things, you can only do if you have enough experience and also professional tools.

So, if you can't locate and solve the problem, you should find a good mechanic or just go to the dealership. The dealer is your only destination if your Mercedes is still under warranty.

Final thoughts

Although the "ESP Malfunction, Visit Workshop" error message doesn't usually kill your Mercedes and you still can drive the car, this annoying message gets on your nerves. And it's very important not to ignore the problem. If you keep driving, the ESP will not be working and your car may easily get into trouble on the road, especially in winter.

Also, the ESP issue may be caused by a number of other modules and units. Sometimes, it's extremely important for the safety of driving, so it's always worth reacting to this problem and addressing it as soon as possible. You can check several common issues on your own. But if you can't locate the problem, you should visit the shop, just as your Mercedes tells you!