ABC problem! Help!
Discussion
I've got a 2004 R230 SL500. Today the car came up with an error message on the dashboard about an ABC fault and told me I need to visit a garage.
The car seems to be riding at normal height, but is VERY bouncy on the suspension... Any ideas as to common problems before I visit a trusted Indy tomorrow?
The car seems to be riding at normal height, but is VERY bouncy on the suspension... Any ideas as to common problems before I visit a trusted Indy tomorrow?
Certainly common on CLs of the same era - just search for ABC message on here (or google for that matter!) to get an idea of just how common and to help diagnose the issue.
Various reasons from sticking/failed valves or faulty sensors to knackered ABC pump (which is quite common), the latter having the potential to be a four figure sum to replace I'm afraid
My ABC pump went two years ago and I consider myself rather lucky to get it replaced by the main dealer as part of the extended warranty.
Various reasons from sticking/failed valves or faulty sensors to knackered ABC pump (which is quite common), the latter having the potential to be a four figure sum to replace I'm afraid
My ABC pump went two years ago and I consider myself rather lucky to get it replaced by the main dealer as part of the extended warranty.After a bit of advice from google, I've raised the suspension up and down about 20times and the fault seems to have disappeared, or at least stopped being reported.
Maybe giving the height adjustable dampers a bit or a workout now and then isn't a bad idea.
Thanks for your advice - I shall keep this thread updated if the problem persists...
Maybe giving the height adjustable dampers a bit or a workout now and then isn't a bad idea.
Thanks for your advice - I shall keep this thread updated if the problem persists...
Well, thought I'd update the thread...
The ABC warning persisted that evening and the following day when reversing out of the drive the car felt like a moon buggy! Seriously felt like I should have packed a few sick bags - the other half wasn't happy!
A quick visit to the local Indy together with an inspection underneath the car from the pit revealed, horror of horrors, hydraulic fluid dripping out from the bottom of the car, near the the FNS wheel! :-O
Turns out the ABC pump was borked, although the shocks were fine (phew!) and as the pumps are not serviceable, nor do Merc sell any parts for it, a new one would be required. This, luckily was covered by my warranty (also phew!). Total cost to fix was around £1600.
After a long chat with the garage about this type of suspension, I'd recommend exercising the dampers/pump by raising and lowering it 10-20times every week or so. Apart from that, it's a bit of a fragile unit, so it's pretty much pot luck when they go.
Oh, and I cannot recommend the garage I went to enough. I've used them before and my car was over the pit half an hour after I called them from home and reported the problem. Staff are friendly and extremely knowledgeable, their hourly rates are reasonable and they make a cracking cuppa. Not sure if I can name them, but they're just outside Botley in the Southampton area. PM me if interested.
The ABC warning persisted that evening and the following day when reversing out of the drive the car felt like a moon buggy! Seriously felt like I should have packed a few sick bags - the other half wasn't happy!
A quick visit to the local Indy together with an inspection underneath the car from the pit revealed, horror of horrors, hydraulic fluid dripping out from the bottom of the car, near the the FNS wheel! :-O
Turns out the ABC pump was borked, although the shocks were fine (phew!) and as the pumps are not serviceable, nor do Merc sell any parts for it, a new one would be required. This, luckily was covered by my warranty (also phew!). Total cost to fix was around £1600.
After a long chat with the garage about this type of suspension, I'd recommend exercising the dampers/pump by raising and lowering it 10-20times every week or so. Apart from that, it's a bit of a fragile unit, so it's pretty much pot luck when they go.
Oh, and I cannot recommend the garage I went to enough. I've used them before and my car was over the pit half an hour after I called them from home and reported the problem. Staff are friendly and extremely knowledgeable, their hourly rates are reasonable and they make a cracking cuppa. Not sure if I can name them, but they're just outside Botley in the Southampton area. PM me if interested.
The car was raising up and down ok on the suspension? Your ABC pump was not borked.
You had hydraulic fluid dripping from the front nearside wheel arch (front bumper area).
The leak was a valve block sealing washer - fault is very common indeed, they corrode. Most garages seem to make a few quid changing the valve block when it could just be the washers. Changing the tandem pump is a bit novel. The moon-buggy effect will have been air in the system.
I admit that I am very, very wary indeed of garages (one make indies in particular), and I might be mistaken, but can you guess what I think?
You had hydraulic fluid dripping from the front nearside wheel arch (front bumper area).
The leak was a valve block sealing washer - fault is very common indeed, they corrode. Most garages seem to make a few quid changing the valve block when it could just be the washers. Changing the tandem pump is a bit novel. The moon-buggy effect will have been air in the system.
I admit that I am very, very wary indeed of garages (one make indies in particular), and I might be mistaken, but can you guess what I think?
When the fault first appeared on the dash, the suspension could be raised and lowered. A few hours after I thought I'd sorted the problem, the height couldnt be adjusted.
As the total cost for parts was over £800, the warranty company sent a bloke out to inspect the car and then authorise the repair. I'm aware of how dodgy some garages can be, but in this case, I don't believe the garage could be faulted.
As the total cost for parts was over £800, the warranty company sent a bloke out to inspect the car and then authorise the repair. I'm aware of how dodgy some garages can be, but in this case, I don't believe the garage could be faulted.
Edited by mrfunex on Sunday 22 May 16:12
mrfunex said:
When the fault first appeared on the dash, the suspension could be raised and lowered. A few hours after I thought I'd sorted the problem, the height couldnt be adjusted.
As the total cost for parts was over £800, the warranty company sent a bloke out to inspect the car and then authorise the repair. I'm aware of how dodgy some garages can be, but in this case, I don't believe the garage could be faulted.
Ah - you didn't mention the adjustment had stopped working.As the total cost for parts was over £800, the warranty company sent a bloke out to inspect the car and then authorise the repair. I'm aware of how dodgy some garages can be, but in this case, I don't believe the garage could be faulted.
ABC - total pain in the bum and the solution to a problem that doesn't exist. I live in a perpetual state of fear of more things going wrong with mine (I have no warranty cover). In retrospect I wish I'd bought an SL350.
Hey guys
Regarding an SL car. I have an sl600 lorisner and this issue started with my horn not working and the mechanic pulling different things from the fuse box. In the morning when the car is cold and I open the door I get a red warning that car not in park and when I start up I sometimes red battery light visit workshop and then I drive off and all warning light goes. It doesn't matter how long I drive for there is no warning but if I stop and then restart the car I get ABC drive carefully in red warning and the red warning car not in park goes. And then the next morning the same process happens all over again. It starts with red warning car not in park. I drive for a while and then stop and restart then abc warning drive carefully. Does anyone know what is the matter. In the morning the ABC works well on the up and down botton
Regarding an SL car. I have an sl600 lorisner and this issue started with my horn not working and the mechanic pulling different things from the fuse box. In the morning when the car is cold and I open the door I get a red warning that car not in park and when I start up I sometimes red battery light visit workshop and then I drive off and all warning light goes. It doesn't matter how long I drive for there is no warning but if I stop and then restart the car I get ABC drive carefully in red warning and the red warning car not in park goes. And then the next morning the same process happens all over again. It starts with red warning car not in park. I drive for a while and then stop and restart then abc warning drive carefully. Does anyone know what is the matter. In the morning the ABC works well on the up and down botton
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