Late model ABC pump behaviour

brandwooddixon

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
3,848
Reaction score
673
Location
Wolverhampton
Your Mercedes
S63 Coupe 2014
Can anyone tell me whether the ABC pump fitted to a late model W216 runs continuously or just when required, like other ancillaries fitted to M278 engine?
 

LostKiwi

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
31,328
Reaction score
21,575
Location
Midlands / Charente-Maritime
Your Mercedes
'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
ABC pumps are mechanical and driven from the serpentine belt continuously.
 
OP
B

brandwooddixon

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
3,848
Reaction score
673
Location
Wolverhampton
Your Mercedes
S63 Coupe 2014
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
That's what I thought, but I was trying to explain a grinding noise that only occurs on tight corners, intermittently when cruising in a straight line or when driving over undulations.

It also only occurs once the car has been driven a good distance at speed, at which point the small radiator in front of the main coolant radiator is sufficiently hot to produce "steam" when wet.

I know that some of the ancillaries driven by the serpentine belt have clutches to turn them off when not needed as a fuel saving measure and was wondering if the ABC pump did as well.
 

Craiglxviii

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2015
Messages
17,781
Reaction score
7,426
Location
Cambs UK
Your Mercedes
970 Panamera Turbo; W221 S500L AMG Line, C215 CL500, W251 R350L AMG Line, plus several more now gone
Nope, ABC requires continuous pressurisation as it’s quite an energetic system.
 
OP
B

brandwooddixon

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
3,848
Reaction score
673
Location
Wolverhampton
Your Mercedes
S63 Coupe 2014
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Much as I thought, just wanted to clear it up , thank you.
I'll just have to carry on fighting the dealer I bought it from - looks like the next stop is court action.
 

LostKiwi

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
31,328
Reaction score
21,575
Location
Midlands / Charente-Maritime
Your Mercedes
'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
If you bounce the front of the car when stationary with the engine running do you get the same noise?
The ABC pump will operate more with bumps and undulations than it does otherwise.
Also if you cycle through suspension heights do you get the same noise?
This may be as simple as a damper sphere getting a little tired.
 
OP
B

brandwooddixon

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
3,848
Reaction score
673
Location
Wolverhampton
Your Mercedes
S63 Coupe 2014
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
I'll give it a go.
I've yet to find a switch for ride height control on this 2012 W216.
I've only found the sport/comfort switch.
 

alexanderfoti

MBO Forum Supporter
Authorised Forum Supporter
Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
15,091
Reaction score
6,247
Location
Tonbridge
Your Mercedes
W221 S65 AMG - W204 C63 AMG + Various other MB's
I'll give it a go.
I've yet to find a switch for ride height control on this 2012 W216.
I've only found the sport/comfort switch.

It's in the centre console, next to the comand screen display.
 
OP
B

brandwooddixon

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
3,848
Reaction score
673
Location
Wolverhampton
Your Mercedes
S63 Coupe 2014
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Well I live and learn.
A case of RTFM.
I saw the label for passenger airbag above the button and had assumed that was to disable it.

Thank you.

I shall take the car for a spin later to get the system really warmed up as that's when the noise presents itself.

Other than that the ride height raises to one setting, with no message in the instrument cluster, unlike the W215 which had 2 levels and did.

All four corners are pretty much even, slight tardiness front to rear but otherwise ok.
 

alexanderfoti

MBO Forum Supporter
Authorised Forum Supporter
Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
15,091
Reaction score
6,247
Location
Tonbridge
Your Mercedes
W221 S65 AMG - W204 C63 AMG + Various other MB's
Well I live and learn.
A case of RTFM.
I saw the label for passenger airbag above the button and had assumed that was to disable it.

Thank you.

I shall take the car for a spin later to get the system really warmed up as that's when the noise presents itself.

Other than that the ride height raises to one setting, with no message in the instrument cluster, unlike the W215 which had 2 levels and did.

All four corners are pretty much even, slight tardiness front to rear but otherwise ok.

Yes that was my thought as well, although I never used the intermediary setting. Also no dash display!

Remember the car will try to level the body when parked or running on anything other than completely level ground.
 


AMF Automotive - We are an independent Mercedes-Benz and AMG specialist located in Paddock Wood, Kent, with full Mercedes Diagnostic equipment. We offer a full portfolio of tuning options for AMGs and can cater for all your Mercedes needs.
Tel: 0203 384 4644www.amfmercedes.com/
Top Bottom