SL 55 AMG - Suspension Issue - Will not start

[bonnim]

Hi guys,

I have an issue with my car and was wondering if anyone else had come across it and had any ideas if I could start and drive my car without having it towed.

I have kept my car garaged for a while and left on trickle charge. I would usually start the car every few weeks but on this occasion it has been a lot longer than this, perhaps a couple of months.

Anyway I went to start the car today and when I turned the key the dashboard went red and said ABC car too low. I checked the car and sure enough the rear of the car seems to be lower than the front (both the rear left and right look equally lower than the front). I can not get the car to start at all, I tried disconnecting the batteries hoping it would reset itself but that has not done anything.

I would be surprised if the struts are damaged as they were replaced along with the pump around 10,000 miles ago - but of course this could be the culprit. I can not see any leaking fluid anywhere but admittedly I do not have very good access given that the car is low. There could be a leak but I cannot seem to see anything at the moment.

Also, I find it hard to believe that 2 struts would both fail at exactly the same time. Could be, but I think it is unlikely... I think the error message mentioned ESP as well, could it be an electrical issue?

Does anyone have any ideas as to what it could be and how I could fix it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks all

 

[flowrider]

The battery in the engine compartment is responsible for starting the car, get that battery charged and start the car which will hopefully raise the suspension and all will be well. Low suspension can be caused by the car sitting for a while and is not necessarily a sign of failure.

 

[bonnim]

Hi David,

Thanks so much for your reply. I keep the rear battery on trickle charge but have not charged the main battery for a while so I will give that a go. Do you think the main battery going flat could cause the rear of the car to go low and give abc warning messages?

Anyway I shall give that a try!! Thanks!!

 

[E55BOF]

Thanks so much for your reply. I keep the rear battery on trickle charge but have not charged the main battery for a while so I will give that a go. Do you think the main battery going flat could cause the rear of the car to go low and give abc warning messages?

Very unlikely, but leaving the car standing for two months could.

 

[Dickster]

+1

I get the same message sometimes, after long periods of being sat unused in the garage.

 

[flowrider]

Hi David,

Thanks so much for your reply. I keep the rear battery on trickle charge but have not charged the main battery for a while so I will give that a go. Do you think the main battery going flat could cause the rear of the car to go low and give abc warning messages?

Anyway I shall give that a try!! Thanks!!

No I dont think the front battery is the issue with ABC but if you start the car there is a chance that the suspension will rise to the correct height and be ok.

 

[ChrisHampshire]

If there is no fluid leak, the sinking issue is probably a faulty valve block. They can be quite easily rebuilt with new O rings. However, the ABC 'car is too low' message should not affect its starting...

 

[bonnim]

Thanks for all of the messages!! Very helpful.

Flat starter battery makes sense (I did not suspect it at first because it was fully charged and I would have thought it would have stayed with some juice for longer than 8 weeks or so).

I am currently charging it so as soon as it is fully charged I will try again and update you all.

Thanks!!