ASR light and Limp Home mode

[Edwardsgw]

While driving on cruise control at about 60 mph, got an ASR light (1992 500E). Cruise control did not immediately drop out; it waited a couple of miles. The car went into limp-home mode (could feel the difference in the throttle) but stayed stable in 4th gear and was able continue my trip home at 60 mph. Would shift into all gears, though upshift was delayed until I backed off the throttle for each gear. Shifts were relatively smooth.

ASR light did not clear upon restart. Read and cleared fault codes and road tested. ASR light was continuously present and always in limp home mode. Codes that came back were:
Pin 6 code 30
Pin 7 code 3 (have never seen this one)
Pin 17 code 8 (have seen this one intermittently before)
Pin 19 code 6 (would not clear - this has always been present even before this incident).

I do not have a digital tester (yet), but all the digital codes for pin 7 code 3 seem to point to the EA. Also tried the sequence of clear code, turn off ignition, turn on ignition for 90 seconds, see if code returns - and it did. This would also seems to point to the EA.

I recall a post that discussed Pin 7 code 3 but I can't seem to find it now.

I believe the EA has been replaced or rebuilt. The car is a 1992 500E.

Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[gsxr]

Pin 7 code 3 items are all internal to the ETA. A digital scanner would pinpoint which specific item inside the ETA is the cause, but most likely the remedy will be a replacement ETA. New is spendy at ~$2k from Naperville, Beckmann rebuilds are <$1k last I checked. You can check the datecode to see if the ETA is old/original, or was replaced at some point with a newer one.

BTW - welcome to the forum! Lots more info on the ETA replacement, rebuilding, etc if you search the forum.

 

[Edwardsgw]

Thanks, I have the ETA out and it will be on its way to Beckmann in the morning. It shows that it had been rebuilt in 2011 by "RFC Electronics". Found two little vacuum lines disconnected too.

 

[Edwardsgw]

Just to follow-up, Beckmann called me quickly and said that the electronic clutch was drawing way too much current and that they'd send me a rebuilt ETA for $750. They were really quick and very helpful. I put the rebuilt ETA in (after a little wrestling match getting it in position) with a new vacuum line and boot. Also put the disconnected vacuum lines back in the right places.

Trouble code is cleared and the car runs better than ever (probably due to the vacuum lines that I found disconnected).

Thanks for your help.

 

[Trae]

Fantastic, seems like I paid $750 six years ago for a rebuilt Beckmann.
Glad to hear they are still doing the rebuilds.

 

[gerryvz]

Good stuff. Thanks for the follow-up.


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