SL500, 2002 - ABC Issues

Paul Fairbank

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Its the dreaded ABC messages, "Drive Carefully" and "Go to workshop"!!!:mad:

Three months ago the front near side of the car dropped to the tyre over night. I could use the lift button to bring it back up to working level but if left over night down she went. This turned out to be a split pipe on the NS/Front end and this was replaced and all was well.

Last month I drove the car using ABC and after a day or two flashed up the be carefull message. Turning the car off lost the error and then it would return after an hour or so. I had the workshop warning as well!!!

The car feels very loose and doesn't damp the bumps. Pressing the ABC button does make the car feel a little more taught but nothing like it should be.

No sign of leaking fluid


The up and down button still works fine.

Car has been to Natton Garage in Tewkesbury for a coat of looking at and their computer advised that it was indeed the NS/Frontpresure sensor but computer wouldnt go down to the right level of detail.

Cars is going to Man Autos in Ashchurch in the morning for the Star treatment so hopefully that should pin point the problem. Cost of one new valve block from merc £1037!!!!

Any pointers I can pass on to the men with PCs and spanners would be great as cant afford to rebuild the suspension.
Thanks

Paul
 

television

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First do have a good look at under the wheel arches on all 4 corners for any black damp patches where any fluid could have leaked, the front nearside is a known place where the alli washers can corrode and you lose the fluid.

When there is a leak it can throw the fluid onto the inside of the tyres and wheels.

You can check the fluid level, it could be low
 

television

Always remembered RIP
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It looks as though the valve block for that corner has gone if no leaks.
 
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andy@pcd-ltd

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I would get the fault codes read as i had a sl500 last week and the plunger sensor had gone on the strut.

When the abc visit workshop warning came up on the dash it made the car a right handfull to drive.

Made the car pull to the right badly and just very unstable at speed.

New strut fitted and car back to normal now
 

television

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2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
I have a good offside front strut that I must sell off only been 30k miles
 
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Paul Fairbank

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Well, I took the SL to Manns in Northway Tewkesbury England. They put her through the Rodeo tests, topped up oil, reset to factory settings and then ran tests again.

So far no problems and car is like new!! Only cost £161.

Didnt find out what error codes where reported but all seems well. These guys seem to know their Mercs.

Lets hope it stays that way.

Thanks to all for help.
 

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