CL55 (W215) ABC issue........ :(

[topgun1978]

Hi all... yes the dreaded ABC system has managed to catch up with me now after reading the problems others have had, I fell victim the other week.

Was driving about when i saw the red ABC warning light come on the dash so pulled over, and inspected under the car for leaks and there was a mad leak around the gearbox area and fluid was dripping down. So had to get the car towed to my local MB dealer.

The dealer diagnosed that the leak was due to the front right valve block, so this needed replacing with some filters and 12l of fluid at a cost of £1200 !! Got the car back, and thought all was well. Next morning, to my dissapointment noticed the car had lowered significantly on the drivers side so sent it back to the dealer to look into. They had the car, but said during the time it was there the car stayed level. So was a little annoyed.

Took the car home, and after driving it for a while that day, parked up and same thing next morning. Car lowered at the front and also seems slightly lower around all the other wheels as well.

Soooooo just want some ideas as to what the problem could be as this has never happened in the year i have owned the car and started after the valve block was replaced. Maybe System not bled properly? Contamination? I think the car was ok and didnt sink at the dealer as they never drove it around possibly but not sure... Will be going back there this week..

Any advice greatly appreciated..!

 

[Setanta]

I feel for you....I have the ABC on my car and pray that the ABC day does not come.

I was reading that it almost has to be surgically clean when they are doing the replacement.

 

[Brabus SL]

I had a simular issue with my 2003 SL55 after the N/S Front strut was replaced, it was not sorted until the MB dealer did another "Rodeo" on it using the Star Diagnostic!!

 

[topgun1978]

Well the car has been into the dealer again........they checked it for leaks, did another rodeo, checked the fault codes, nothing came up. Took it home again and I am still having the same problems with the car lowering at the front, so am stuck with what to do next............. ?

I can raise the car with the button on the centre console, but when i do that, the car seems to sit higher than normal so just getting frustrated with the whole thing...

Any help would be REALLY appreciated....

 

[BlackC55]

I would put money on the pump or pressure sensor fault.

 

[mercedescl500]

Ok I'll try my best at this one.

The pump might not be in good condition now as the pipe burst allowing the pump to work with little fluid, did you have them (dealership) do a pressure test ? if so, how many bar did it produce ? First thing is to have a pressure test carried out.

Cold Weather: Weather can effect the height of the car when parked (switched off), this is not uncommon and will happen if left parked for several hours.

Knock on effect: Maybe this is how the car is supposed to be, but because of the "now" discovered fault it has returned to normal. Also worth noting that when you bring new parts into the system the next weak part will usually fail as a result.

Ride Height: Depending on the methods used to replace the valve block it may be that the ride height sensor is slightly misaligned, this only needs to be out by a couple of "millimetres" for your car to sit "higher" than it did before. Very Easy fix and costs nothing. Or you can have STAR do a re-calibration on ride height settings.

Pressure sensor: This is component with known issues, again, easy to fix.

Last of all: I bet you are now extra "paranoid" about the ride height and parked(switched off) height that you are measuring it 2 million times a day (lol), did you pay regular attention to this before the failure ? or have you started to really scrutinise it now because you are aware of a fault/issue/problem.

I am quite familiar with ABC issues, If I can help answer any questions then feel free to ask/pm me. Hope this helps.

 

[mercedescl500]

Oh before I forget, do you re-calibrate the ABC ride height before driving ? To recalibrate (without STAR) so that the car is sitting level, you need to have the car parked on flat/level surface, turn the car off on minimum suspension (both lights off),now start the engine and raise the suspension to maximum (both lights ON) and leave for 10seconds, now lower it so both lights are OFF. This will give you the exact ride height that the car is set too. Hope this helps. This will show if there is a difference between wheelarch/tyre gaps. Hope this helps.

 

[topgun1978]

Cheers buddy ... will have a check on those things. The joy's of owning a Merc!

 

[topgun1978]

Just noticed today that when I put the car in drive, the car automatically raises before I drive off? Not sure whether this is a sign of a different problem or not?

Car still lowers at the front after being driven and left overnight or for at least 8/9 hrs... hope something doesn`t go pop!

 

[mercedescl500]

there is a recall for this too !! lol

Just noticed today that when I put the car in drive, the car automatically raises before I drive off? Not sure whether this is a sign of a different problem or not?

Car still lowers at the front after being driven and left overnight or for at least 8/9 hrs... hope something doesn`t go pop!

Got to be quick , there is a recall for CL which replaces the dynamic sensors. Read the following, don't panic, and don't open your wallet (yet, LOL).

AUGUST 2008 -- Mercedes Benz is recalling 4,564 MY 2001-2006 CL-Class (Model 215), MY 2002-2006 S-Class (Model 220), MY 2003-2007 SL-Class (Model 230), MY 2007-2008 CL-Class (Model 216), and MY 2007 S-Class (Model 221) passenger vehicles equipped with Active Body Control (ABC) acceleration sensors on the front struts. These sensors measure acceleration around the Z-axis of the vehicle and assure an automatic adaptation of the front struts to maintain a relatively level body position. Variations in the soldering process resulted in soldering points on the board of the ABC sensors which may not be within design tolerances. Signals from the affected sensors measuring the acceleration may not be accurately transmitted to the engine control unit. A variation in the transmitted values between affected and unaffected sensors can result in one front strut adjusting to a value indicating body movement while another strut does not adjust presenting the driver with an uneven front suspension. This condition may lead to unexpected body movements at the front axle which can adversely influence the vehicle's directional stability and could lead to a vehicle crash. Dealers will inspect and replace, if necessary, the front ABC sensors in all potentially affected vehicles. The recall is expected to begin during September 2008. 08V405

Hope this helps. Mods if I have broken any rules I apologise.

Regards.

 

[SLtony]

ABC problems

HI
New to hear and very very appreciative of the shared knowledge!
I have replaced th eRNS strut on muy 03 Sl500 but the mech says he cannot calibrate it , using star, and says it therefore needs a ABC control unit now! Where will it end. Do any of you have experience of this, or any thoughts? Thanks