Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) ABS pump systems are commonly found on higher end Mercedes such as the E-Class, SL & CL Class, CLS etc.. the SBC Sensotronic ABS pump is a brake-by-wire system and Mercedes Benz were one of the first vehicle manufacturing companies to apply this system to cars.
How It Works
The Brake-By-Wire Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) system is quite different to the conventional hydraulic abs braking system because it doesn’t have a brake servo at the reservoir to start with and the brake pedal is connected to the ECU by wire. The sensors on the brake pedal offer a way of communication, telling the on-board computer how the brake pedal was pressed, how hard it was pressed & how quickly it was pressed etc. The computer then calculates the required pressure and activates the braking system producing braking force at each wheel via modulators.
The problem with Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) ABS Pump Braking Systems
The Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) ABS Pump has a service life (also known as a life expectancy) programmed into the control module which works off the number of brake actuations. Once this limit has been reached, the Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) light may illuminate on the dash or a brake related warning may appear on the trip computer. Once this happens, the Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) system is de-activated and the hydraulic braking function mode is activated whereby limited braking pressure is applied to the front brakes thus increasing the braking distance.
When the Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) ABS pump fails, you are led to believe that the unit will require replacing and in some cases (depending on the vehicle application) it can cost up to £2500-3000 for a replacement unit (+Labour, Programming & VAT).
Connected to the STAR diagnostic system, the fault code C2498 will show the fault code description “Service Threshold Reached” as a current & stored fault code. This code cannot be erased without replacing the system.
Common Part Numbers:
Mercedes Part Number – 005 431 0012
Mercedes Part Number – 005 431 0612
Mercedes Part Number – 005 431 3412
Mercedes Part Number – 005 431 7112
Bosch Part Number – 0265 250 067
Bosch Part Number – 0265 250 065
Bosch Part Number – 0265 250 077
Bosch Part Number – 0265 250 092
Bosch Part Number – 0265 960 025
Bosch Part Number – 0265 960 012
Bosch Part NUmber – 0265 960 019
How Can Sinspeed Help Reduce This Cost & Fix The Problem?
Rather than replacing the unit with an expensive new part or even replacing with a second hand part (just waiting for it to fail).. we can remanufacture your existing unit and reprogram the Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) control module to increase the service life expectancy of the unit. This is becoming a very common problem and we’re able to carry out full repairs to these units and offer a very competitive fitting rate.
For more information & a quote, call us today on 0203 815 9441.
Ajaz is a seasoned automotive electronics engineer with deep expertise in remanufacturing vehicle electronics. He has developed skills in all areas of the automotive field, from rebuilding hydraulic steering components, and mechanical gearboxes and reworking intricate vehicle electronics. Ajaz also acquired Bodyteq, a London-based vehicle bodyshop where he has developed extensive knowledge in automotive refinishing.
Alongside his automotive career, Ajaz has built a career in the IT industry, gaining accredited certification as an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Cloud Architect, and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) specialist.
HI HELLO MEE IS FAWZI IAM FROM ALGERIA I HAVE STAR DIAG EXANTRY
HAW I CAN WORK SBC WITH OU CHANGE IT
IAM READY TO PAYE WITH EURO BUT I NEED SOLUTION
THINKS
DJFAWZI@HOTMAIL.FR
Hi Fawzi,
Even with STAR diagnostics, if you have the SBC Life expectancy threshold fault then you will not be able to resolve this issue with just a STAR machine. You will have to replace the unit for a new unit or send us the old unit for reconditioning. Please send us an email or call us for pricing and more information.
Regards,
Sinspeed Ltd
Hi,
I have an ML500 2002 model. This car started to have the ABS/ETS lights come on the dashboard (sometimes only) and reading your feature above (which is very helpful) I am wondering if my problem is actually the ABS Pump.
The brakes perform as they should before the lights come on and even if they don’t come on so my stopping power hasn’t reduced at all.
Do you guys think there could be an electrical connection or sensor problem arising from the brake pedal, which might be the real problem and not the pump.
Cheers
Hi Graham
Common problem on this vehicle is the wheel sensors and the steering angle sensor, more common than the ABS ecu itself.
Please call our office for details on 0203 815 9441 or alternatively if you send us a email, we will get straight back to you.
Best Regards
Support Team
Sinspeed Ltd
I’ve got a E270cdi 2002 and just got the white malfunction warning on my dash “service brake visit workshop” and am about to find out through MB tomorrow what state the SBC pump is in, ie if they need to replace or can reprogramme it. I’ve only just come across your website and read about what you can do.
Are you able to give an idea of cost and time involved as I use my car for airport transfers and cant be without it!
Cheers
Hi Tony
Thank you for your enquiry,
We don’t actually list prices on our website but if you could kindly send us an email or call our offices on 0203 815 9441, a member of our team will be happy to assist you further.
Kindest Regards
Jason
Support Team
SINSPEED LTD
hi ,
I have a mercedes w211 02 model 270cdi. The SBC unit needs to be reconditioned. The part number is 0084319812.
Can you reccondition the unit and what is the cost?
Kind regards
Ian
Hi Ian
We can work with these units and offer a Lifetime warranty. For pricing and more information, please contact our offices on 0203 815 9441 or send us an email.
Kindest Regards
Jason
Support Team
SINSPEED LTD
Dear Sir,
I have the W211 in Kenya and have the SBC problem on it. Would it be cheaper for me to bring it to the uk than getting a new one and on a previous post you said you can give a life time warranty on it, is this correct.
Hi Stephen
Thank you for your enquiry,
Yes we can remanufacture these units for a fraction of the cost of a new unit and no programming will be required when fitting the unit back to the vehicle. We are offering all remanufactured SBC pumps with our Lifetime warranty. For pricing and more information, please email our support team.
Kindest Regards
Jason
Support Team
SINSPEED LTD
Hi, I have a question how much will it cost to reprograming sbc in my W211,sbc problem?
Thenhs.Lukas.
Hi Lukas
Thank you for your enquiry,
We do carry out the repairs to reprogram this unit and reset the Service Life Expectancy / Service Threshold fault, for pricing please call us on 0203 815 9441 or alternatively please email us via the contact form.
Kindest Regards
Jason
Admin Team
SINSPEED LTD
Good evening,
I have a2005 e211 e200, Reg No M50JHN and I have the visit workshop service brake message.
Can you give me a cost and turnaround time to recondition my SBC pump please?
Many thanks
John
Hi John
We can repair these units but do not list prices on our website. For a quotation, please call our offices on 0203 815 9441 or alternatively please send us an email.
Kindest Regards
Jason
Admin Team
SINSPEED LTD
I have a 2003 E270CDI it has just stopped because all red lights on dash showing, reduced braking power , do not drive car etc. an not get it out of park gear into any other gear. Do you do a complete fitting service or just recondition the pump and what are the costs,
Many thanks Tony
Hi Tony
Thank you for your enquiry,
We offer two types of services for this particular fault and urge customers to bring the complete vehicle into our workshops for a faster turnaround and better success rate. We can work with the SBC units on the bench if you remove it from the vehicle and send by post but the success rate of repairing them in situe whilst fitted to the vehicle is much better. For more information and a quote, please email us or call on 0203 815 9441.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED LTD
Hi
I called yesterday to discuss the ‘dry squealling’ sound that the pump makes first thing.
Is it on it’s way out ?
Do you have a workshop in Basingstoke where it could be serviced ? ( we are in Winchester )
As yet, no dash warnings. 170k miles 2003 320 cdi reg 871D
Kind Regards
David
Hi David
Thank you for your enquiry,
I would recommend the vehicle comes into our main workshop in London where we remanufacture the SBC Pumps. It sounds like the valves may be on the way out but if that is the case, it can not be repaired. All we can do is flush the fluid through with clean fluid and re-bleed to see if that helps solve the problem. Once the valves are damaged, you must replace the SBC Pump.
Kind Regards
SINSPEED
Hi, my sbc pump has displayed a white warning light on dash. If I get the pump reset , how long can i typically expect from pump before i could get a red waring light, ie what is the expected lifespan. I have an eclass 04, 130k miles.
Hi Brian
Thank you for your enquiry,
We can reset the life expectancy of the pump to how it would have been from factory. So if it’s lasted 10 years then it would last another 10 years before it flags up again. Our SBC Pump reset service comes with a Lifetime warranty so if you have it reset by us once, we will reset it again if needed in future.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED