dinkyboy1

Last night when i shut the car (2003 sl55 AMG), i had raised the height. This morning i found the car at a low height. I have also observed that on some occasions, she would drop height. Sometimes, she would drop and raise the height back up (when stationary). Does this mean that i am heading for ABC problems? What issues should i expect to crop up?

SpiritR230

i think you're fine

rsr911

Definately have it looked at. Ounce of prevention vs. pound of cure.
However do not take it to the steelership.
Find a good independant shop.

kittyandgary

You might get more help regarding an independent shop if you'd give your location. Also, on the other web site forum for SL55 AMG's, there is a great 'sticky' for ABC information.

seven_out

No, not at all. For now I would simply monitor the problem in the coming days.

Nothing more than a continuation and eventual worsening of the current problem. If that happens, then I suggest the strut, hoses, and valve block of the associated wheel(s) where the car is low should be checked for external leaks. If that checks-out, then it's likely the ABC fluid should be filtered or flushed. You can do all of this yourself.

fxrs1955

I would flush it in any case if you haven't. And replace the filter.

dinkyboy1

Flushed the car and also replaced the filter. But the problem is not going away. She now sags on the left side (the car is right hand drive). Also there is a hissing noise from the passenger side door. Cant figure out where that is from but it there is link with the sagging problem? I am worried. Please advise me some preventive maintenance. What should i check and in what order?

have attached the picture of the old fluid and the new fluid after the flush.

Tankman

That really is mucky fluid mate.hope it has not done too much damage.what miles are on your car?when I bought my 55 in December I was advised to look at the color of the abc fluid which I did,it was green the owner was a bit puzzled by this and I told him if the fluid has not been green I was going to walk away.my 55 had 46k on it when I bought it and to my knowledge the fluid has not been changed although this will be done in the next week or so.hope you get sorted soon.

seven_out

Did you follow Mercedes' instructions and precede the flush with two 15-minute "Rodeo" routines? This helps remove contaminants which have adhered to the valves in the valve blocks as well as other components.

The attached bulletin addresses the sagging issue.

kittyandgary

Tankman,

I'd be very interested in what kind of climate your SL55 had been living, and what model year it is. I'm coming to believe that the ABC systems that have been in a very dry climate are not nearly as likely to have the fluid deteriorate and become black. My '03 SL55, like yours had fluid that was still in the green spectrum when I first inspected it (4 months after purchase, when I found all the info available about this ABC system). For 5 years, the car had been in a high desert climate, and for 4 of the previous 5 years, it had lived at dealerships, where it was always stored inside. I have full service records, and there was no indication of the ABC fluid having been changed.

Anyone who has 'black' ABC fluid, I'd also be interested to know the history of your cars location as well.

Tankman

Hi mate, my car is a late 03. Lived all it's life in north west England.so various weather and only very occasionally severe at both ends of the spectrum.car was always garaged by first two owners ,third kept it undercover.on a general note I do think MB should be berated for not giving the abc system the back up as part of the service programme.if they had we would not be having this conversation.good work btw on the abc posts so far. Sent from my I phone on holiday in kephalonia.

layzie12g

All you have to do is remove the valve blocks and replace the o - rings with green harbor freight ones. Clean the blocks while they are out. It takes 2 hours each block. You car will no longer fall.

Dinkyboy

OK The nightmare continues. Cleaned the valve blocks. Still the problem did not go through. So have changed the front valve blocks and replaced them with brand new ones. Changed the oil and also the filter to 3 micron. Threw the old ones out and replaced them with the newer model. She was fine for a few days. Then she started lowering on the left side (the car is right hand drive). This time she is low by about a inch and half from both the front and rear side. Now suddenly this afternoon, the dreaded "ABC" flashed on the panel with message to take to workshop. Totally frustrated. My garage tells me that it could be the srtuts. he recomends changing them. But it seems strange to me that both the front and rear struts could require change at the same time. There are no visible leaks. Please advise.

Dinkyboy

Brothers ......pls help.

walterwhite

So what was the final repair? Were you able to resolve the issue?

- curious.

Ryan Bell

It could just be terribly bad luck with the struts. Seriously.

dinkyboy1

The nightmare continues: My apologies for responding so late. So the following is replaced:
1. All four struts. Bought brand new struts.
2. New front valve block.
3. New lines from the front valve block to the struts. Front and rear.
4. New Tandem pump.
5. New front height level sensors.
6. New filter and Oil.

The problem is STILL NOT SOLVED. Now the rear is sitting too high. Its like someone or something has pitched it up. Performed the Rodeo. There is NO ABC message on the dash. There are no leakages.

What could be the problem. Help me please.........................

dinkyboy1

Forgot to mention that all this work is being done at Authorised MB dealer workshop here at Mumbai and not at an Indy shop.

tandan

I think we have misinterpreted Dinky's problem. "SHE" would "DROP" height. "SHE" would then "drop and raise". I don't think this is an ABC problem. It sounds to me like my ex-wife. She quit dropping and raising, so we called it quits.:

tandan

Sorry, I forgot to reference dinky boy's ( I hope not for his sake) "Crop Up" problem to help my response more understandable.

walterwhite

Maybe you need new rear height level sensors? I'd look for an Indy that has repaired a lot of ABC systems. Or start learning about the system, buy a used STAR system, and repair it yourself.

m-svt-amg

I am in a similar position. I have replaced all 4 struts, valve block, repaired the other, smaller filter, and still get abc messages.

I am convinced an abc rodeo while contaminated will cause other components to fail.

My suggestion would be to evaluate the voltage for the solenoids in the valve blocks. That caused my rear to sit high.

My indy shop gave up and took it to the master tech at the dealership, who then performed a terrible alignment job and said i need an updated abc control module... i hesitate to order one due to his botched alignment.

However, that sounds like the only option you and i have yet to try, so i guess thats all i can offer?

photonut

the design of the abc system in the sl55 is flawed.
my new sl55 developed many of these issues after one year of ownership.
mb eventually bought the car back from me under the michigan lemon law, as the dealer was unable to repair it.

abiazis

The ABC system is a real achilles heel for these R230 cars and truly contributes to their depreciation curve if you can call it that.....it is more like a lead balloon...........they over engineered it like MB does.......however.....they tried to be innovative in their approach to their credit and when the system is working it is super, but it seems to be an either or proposition unfortunately.....

Nor Cal SL55

My 2007 SL55 had failed Body Accelerator Sensors for ABC that were replaced under warranty for the suspension acting up a little - not to the extent you are describing though. Front left, Front Right, Rear Left, Rear Right as well as a SAM module that was locking up the DAS machine. This was at 40K miles. The ABC tandem pump was replaced about 5K miles later because it was leaking.

With two struts on one side waning, My thought would be control systems before the actual struts. But now, I understand that the rear sits high? Is this the only remaining issue?