R230 ABC problem

Malmair

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The left rear strut on My 2004 SL55 has suddenly become inoperative.

Driving the car on Thursday and got a "grey" ABC fault "visit workshop" message, drove 10 miles to get home and could feel no difference with ride/handling. Switched off engine whilst moving cars to park it and when restarted no fault displayed. Parked car in drive. Saturday morning went to move car and thought that it looked low at the rear tried raising car on the ride height switch and rear left not rising, checked underneath and can not see any sign of leakage. Drove it round the block and rear left definitely not doing anything. No warnings on dashboard except when reversing back into drive and the rear wheel goes into a pothole I get a "red" warning car too low, continue reversing out of the pothole and the warning goes away.
Checked reservoir and it seems overfull - due to the rear strut being compressed?

Any thoughts on the likely fault I am leaning towards sensor/electrical or valve block but any advice on where to start gratefully received.
 

John Laidlaw

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Oh dear!
Firstly on the reservoir check - engine off or running? The dip stick has two sides. What colour was the fluid?
Too low unfortunately means just that normally so you need to get it on a Star diagnostic to find out what's goosed
Sounds initially like the pump, but I hope to be wrong! It may be an accumulator issue which is at least cheaper! Or I guess a pulsation dampener
There's an extremely useful sticky in this section which tells you all you need to know about ABC...
 
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Craiglxviii

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Sounds like a sticking valve block to me. If the strut isn't leaking...

There's a high pressure feed line to a solenoid- actuated valve block, which is the brains behind the system operation. Each strut has an operating and a lock valve. The lock valves only close when engine is turned off or system turns off due to failure. The operating valves have multiple steps and open or close incrementally as required when driving to adjust that corner up/ down as the accelerometers measure the car's dynamic g-loading.

Now, if an operating valve is hunker up, cannot open or close fully the system will shut down and either white or red warning will be displayed. No external leakage but inoperative strut must mean internal leakage...

First thing. Get fault codes read. That at least will tell us what the car thinks is wrong. Valve failures do not have fault codes (oh how I found this out) but have to be determined by behaviour.

Secondly, you'll need to find an ABC experienced Indy close by to do the work... where do you live?
 

John Laidlaw

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You're probably right Craig - I missed that one in the litany of faults! Hopefully as again it's cheaper than a strut or pump...
Just as much grief though!
 
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Malmair

Malmair

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Thanks for the replies so far. Have started doing all the reading up on the ABC faults and fixes!

I think I need to get it on star or similar and see what fault codes it is reporting. Does anyone have a link to a good Chinese clone? I have put off getting one for as the car has been so reliable up till now!!!!! But I guess it is time to get one.

From what I have read and your replies I think it is likely to be a valve or an accumulator. Does anyone have any experience in rebuilding the valve block using one of the eBay kits?

Luckily the car is not the everyday transport so I can take a bit of time having a look myself although a bit annoyed with it as we were meant to be at the AMG 50th celebration at Brooklands today.

Thanks for the input so far. Any more ideas and advice will be appreciated.
 

Craiglxviii

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I've had my valve block rebuilt. No problems. Pullman (Dave) has done his. NoelMC the same- Noel and I share Indys. All using o rings I have sourced. I have them in stock if you want- £50 per block including spare rings in case you lose any. These are aerospace grade Viton and far superior to the original automotive grade used by MB.

If you don't want to lash out £5-600 for a Star clone then I fully recommend icarsoft's i980 or MB-II scanners. They're fully capable of diagnosing ABC issues, they can read all strut values, pressure, temperature etc. The big advantage of Star for ABC is the rodeo program and ability to set plunger sensor values. But £60 to your local Indy should do that if you dont want to splurge.
 

John Laidlaw

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IMO you need to cultivate the services of a local Indy if you have ABC, it's just no fun otherwise!
 

television

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Many reason for this fault, could from everything, STAR will tell you.
 

ajlsl600

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ABC is simply a "brace yrself" issue , i keep a seperate bank account just for that and coil packs.
 
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Malmair

Malmair

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So the car is now fixed and didn't cost an arm and a leg!

Decided that it was time to invest in a STAR clone so £230 and a week later a parcel arrived from China. Inside what appears to be top quality system, paired this with a £45 laptop off eBay and had a working STAR system. Spent a couple of days getting to know it offline and then hooked it up to the car.

Ran through various tests and got the rear strut to move proving the serviceability of all the hydraulic components and also that the rear level sensor was not changing value. Did a few more checks tried moving the car and the rear dropped to the ground again. 99% certain rear sensor or wiring. Rear sensor £72 from Mercedes dealer had a quick look at changing myself but eventually drove car (very carefully and slowly!) 200 metres up the road to local independent garage who changed it in just over an hour for £60.

All in a bit of a result.
 

Noelmc

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A cheap ABC repair.........!!
So they do exist.
Well at least one does.
 

Johnnyamg

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I just finished a big chunk of work on my 2003 SL55 ABC system. I rebuilt the front valve block, replaced two front struts(Arnotts) and changed out a few hoses. I am planning on rebuilding the rear valve block and if need be replace the rear accumulator this winter. I also replaced the lowering links with OEM items. The previous owner had lowered the car and having to raise the car for every speed bump wears thin living in London. The car obviously sits higher now but lowering it makes for a very hard ride and I cannot sacrifice that mush comfort for looks. Eventually I will replace the rear struts and the pump which leaves the a few hoses to be done which should keep most ABC problem at bay for me.
 


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