HELP: S500 ('01) 'ABC warning - Visit work shop'

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jig

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2004
Messages
57
I have a 2001 S500(21,000 mls), it was serviced less then 1,000 mls and now it shows a sign saying ABC inactive visit workshop. The sign on the dash does not cancel and it does not all me to look at any of the menu.

The car has not been used any differently and cannot understand what has caused this? The only thing I can think off is that the day before I drove the car with a heavy suitcase in the boot.

What could the problem be?Do I have to visit the stealers?

All help and advice greatly appreciated. :confused:

Update - Just took the car out and checked the manual, found the following out:

-there is a banging noise (over bumps) from the near-side rear wheel/area.
-The message on the dash still says 'Active Body Control ABC, visit Workshop!'
-Checked the manual, and it is a 'C2' Message (Medium to low priority) and states if this display appears to not exceed a maximum of 50 mph(80 km/h)
-The car height cannot be adjusted

Any ideas of what the fault could be?and the Costs involved?

Would I have to go to the stealers or could I get a specialist to resolve?

What would be the best route to take?

Thanks
 
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I have never come across ABC warning BUT have come across BAS related to Brake Assit/brakes - are u sure its ABC warning error ? - my instinct tells me that its probably related to brakes/sensors... but I am just guessing...
 
jig said:
I have a 2001 S500(21,000 mls), it was serviced less then 1,000 mls and now it shows a sign saying ABC inactive visit workshop. The sign on the dash does not cancel and it does not all me to look at any of the menu.

The car has not been used any differently and cannot understand what has caused this? The only thing I can think off is that the day before I drove the car with a heavy suitcase in the boot.

What could the problem be?Do I have to visit the stealers?

All help and advice greatly appreciated. :confused:


Well I would be very careful if a car fitted with Active suspension suddenly tells me it was not working! There is no doubt a failsafe mode that is perfectly OK to drive at modest speeds but you need to get it checked out.

Could be anything from a loose connection to something expensive. A complex system so a proper diagnostic is a must do.
 
jig said:
I have a 2001 S500(21,000 mls), it was serviced less then 1,000 mls and now it shows a sign saying ABC inactive visit workshop. The sign on the dash does not cancel and it does not all me to look at any of the menu.

The car has not been used any differently and cannot understand what has caused this? The only thing I can think off is that the day before I drove the car with a heavy suitcase in the boot.

What could the problem be?Do I have to visit the stealers?

All help and advice greatly appreciated. :confused:

I would personally get to the dealership. Turning the steering from lock to lock can reset certain sensors but....

John
 
Update - Just took the car out and checked the manual, found the following out:

-there is a banging noise (over bumps) from the near-side rear wheel/area.
-The message on the dash still says 'Active Body Control ABC, visit Workshop!'
-Checked the manual, and it is a 'C2' Message (Medium to low priority) and states if this display appears to not exceed a maximum of 50 mph(80 km/h)
-The car height cannot be adjusted

Any ideas of what the fault could be?and the Costs involved?

Would I have to go to the stealers or could I get a specialist to resolve?

What would be the best route to take?

Thanks
 
Dodgy car???

I have just been reading your previous mesaages in relation to this car and some very sensible people gave you some excellent advice.

In my humble opinion a car like yours needs to be spoilt. Servicing at a main dealer is not a waste of money!!! Your car has clearly voided its warranty and you have little chance of a goodwill repair.

Saving a few pounds on a car of doubtful origin might not be the best way of buying such a luxury vehicle?? (just my opinion). Buying such a car with only one ignition key and a pathetic excuse would have seen me running away so fast, even Linford Christie would not have caught me!

Going to a 'specialist' garage is fraught with dangers, BUT there are no doubt some independants that are highly professional and will welcome you with open arms.

Good luck,
John
 
glojo said:
Dodgy car???

I have just been reading your previous mesaages in relation to this car and some very sensible people gave you some excellent advice.

In my humble opinion a car like yours needs to be spoilt. Servicing at a main dealer is not a waste of money!!! Your car has clearly voided its warranty and you have little chance of a goodwill repair.

Saving a few pounds on a car of doubtful origin might not be the best way of buying such a luxury vehicle?? (just my opinion). Buying such a car with only one ignition key and a pathetic excuse would have seen me running away so fast, even Linford Christie would not have caught me!

Going to a 'specialist' garage is fraught with dangers, BUT there are no doubt some independants that are highly professional and will welcome you with open arms.

Good luck,
John

Hi John

Thanks for your reply. I agree I did recieve a great deal of advice, but a full inspection was carried out by A MB dealer garage before I purchased. The car was registered on MB computers with the previous service history . All the keys(two and two keyless cards) came with the car (it was only the keyless function which was not working correctly)

We carried a Service B a few months back (this too at the MB garage) which was all fine and there where no problems.

This is the only problem that we have incurred now and you are right I should just take it to the main dealer...

Thanks
Jig
 
Hi Jig,

The trouble with the ABC system (and a few other systems on the S, CL and SL range is that only MB dealers can diagnose them (well, in theory). The ABC system has many control units and more sensors than we have fingers, and without the right fault codes it can be a hard job to fix, let alone remove the warning lights so you can continue to use the steering wheel buttons.

It seems at this point we're at the mercy of the main dealer, unless your local independent can get this equipment. Even then, the repair bills for the ABC system with new control units, possible new suspension parts are going to cost an arm and a leg when they go wrong.

Hence why i'll be looking at an extended warrantee after the three years, or selling the car for a newer model.

Doesn't really help you though I guess!
 
Maff said:
Hi Jig,

The trouble with the ABC system (and a few other systems on the S, CL and SL range is that only MB dealers can diagnose them (well, in theory). The ABC system has many control units and more sensors than we have fingers, and without the right fault codes it can be a hard job to fix, let alone remove the warning lights so you can continue to use the steering wheel buttons.

It seems at this point we're at the mercy of the main dealer, unless your local independent can get this equipment. Even then, the repair bills for the ABC system with new control units, possible new suspension parts are going to cost an arm and a leg when they go wrong.

Hence why i'll be looking at an extended warrantee after the three years, or selling the car for a newer model.

Doesn't really help you though I guess!

Thanks Maff, it does help as it gives me a cleaer idea of what they need to do and why its going to cost me soo much :(

Please keep the advive(and support) coming!

Have others experienced similar problems with their ABC?

Thanks
 
Sad to say I do not think that, as a practical matter, you may have much choice other than to take it to a dealer or an approved repairer.

Any active suspension system is complex in mechanical and electronic terms. Whilst it could be something quite basic like a loose connector or perhaps a faulty relay you could sort yourself (if you can find it) it would be wise to have a system diagnostic as the starting point.

Take it back to the dealer, find out what the problem is, get an estimate and shop around.

I recall some of the US forums have quite a bit of traffic on ABC
 
Try a top rated/approved MB bodyshop - they should have the in house expertise to look at it as accienntial cars with i.e. ABC suspension would be dealt in house (its worth a try as their labour rates would br cheaper than the Stealers...)

Good luck...
 
Flash said:
Try a top rated/approved MB bodyshop - they should have the in house expertise to look at it as accienntial cars with i.e. ABC suspension would be dealt in house (its worth a try as their labour rates would br cheaper than the Stealers...)

Good luck...

How can I find a top rated/approved MB bodyshop in the London/Essex region? Do people have any recommendations?
 
jig said:
How can I find a top rated/approved MB bodyshop in the London/Essex region? Do people have any recommendations?

Phone around Stealers and see who they outsource their bodywork too (if they do not do it in house...) and once u have the details of the bodyshop that teh Staeler uses then speak to bodyshop directly and see if they can assist u from there.

Alternatively, take out an exteneded warranty now and leave the car garged for a month (make sure ABC suspension is covered...) and then have problem rectified under warranty by Stealer... ;)
 
Flash said:
Phone around Stealers and see who they outsource their bodywork too (if they do not do it in house...) and once u have the details of the bodyshop that teh Staeler uses then speak to bodyshop directly and see if they can assist u from there.

Alternatively, take out an exteneded warranty now and leave the car garged for a month (make sure ABC suspension is covered...) and then have problem rectified under warranty by Stealer... ;)

i'd definatly get this done by a dealer as only a MB dealer will really understand the system...
 
Flash said:
Try a top rated/approved MB bodyshop - they should have the in house expertise to look at it as accienntial cars with i.e. ABC suspension would be dealt in house (its worth a try as their labour rates would br cheaper than the Stealers...)

Good luck...

To be honest , i doubt that ... i recon any work like that would go back to the dealer on a low loader.

Sounds like a nightmare situation to be in , you do have my sympathy.

At least when Distronic goes wrong you can just disconnect it :crazy:
 
Flash said:
Alternatively, take out an exteneded warranty now and leave the car garged for a month (make sure ABC suspension is covered...) and then have problem rectified under warranty by Stealer... ;)

Who then is 'stealing' from whom?? ;) It is not the wisest of acts to attempt to advise anyone to make a fraudulent claim. I wonder if the fault is date stamped onto the onboard computer system?

I have always advocated treating dealers how you would expect to be treated!!!!! I would personally be very displeased if someone tried to lie or deceive me.

Bite the bullet and get to the dealer ;) I am envious of your very nice car and it needs a quick trip to the doctors.

John
 
Indeed. If there is a fault code in the memory it will probably have a date.

I think the only crumb of comfort is that a mechanical problem with ABC might be cheaper to fix than with AIRMATIC, which is even more complex and can result in serious wallet damage if it goes belly up.

If it is only a problem with one wheel then I would guess that it (hopefully) might be a mechanical problem just with that particular strut unit rather than something horrible lurking between the thirteen sensors, the ABC processor and the four hydrualic servos. Only a proper diagnostic can show or eliminate that as a problem.

general info on ABC FYI

http://www.answers.com/topic/active-body-control
 
Thanks for all the advcie guys, and no I am not going to do any fraud, am about to book it in for the diagnostic to find out what is wrong.

Any ideas of how much it is going to hurt my wallet?

:(
 
jig said:
Thanks for all the advcie guys, and no I am not going to do any fraud, am about to book it in for the diagnostic to find out what is wrong.

Any ideas of how much it is going to hurt my wallet?

:(

£80/90 per hour plus VAT (depending on Stealership...).
 
Jig

I had the ABC go on my CL - gradually got worse over a long period. Started as a 'white' error message that I could clear - just stated 'Visit workshop'. This progressed to a 'red' message (intermittent) that stated 'Stop, car too low'.

At the same time i noticed a slow oil leak - this was masked at the start as oil was collecting in the tray underneath the engine. Was losing about a tablespoon of oil per night (don't know if more when in use)

Car was taken to a Merc dealer. One of the pumps controlling the oil pressure was leaking and the system slowly losing pressure (hence getting worse) - sorry can' tbe more technical!

Cost to fix was about £1,100- although the dealer bought the car off picked up a lage chunk of that.

The dealer did have some difficulty finding the leak as it was so slow.

Good luck.
 

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