ABC Problems
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
ABC Problems
Looks like I will be making a service appt. very soon. My ABC seems to have a mind of its own. The drivers side rear likes to jack itself up every now and then, sometimes while traveling at 70+ down the freeway. Not a good feeling. Today the "Drive Carefully ABC malfunction" msg. came on the dash. Once I cycled power, this malfunction seems to disappear. Something is wrong however.
Anyone else have ABC problems such as this ?
Anyone else have ABC problems such as this ?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal
2024 S580 | 2024 Escalade ESV Sport Plat | 2022 X5M Competition
We had problems with the ABC on our 2001 S600 a while back. It would display the same message and the ride would get really stiff.
We took it to the dealer and they replaced a bunch of stuff on the ABC... it took about a week.
Fortunately, they give MB loaner cars.
I think it's a fairly common problem. I guess they didn't work out all the bugs.
We took it to the dealer and they replaced a bunch of stuff on the ABC... it took about a week.
Fortunately, they give MB loaner cars.
I think it's a fairly common problem. I guess they didn't work out all the bugs.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2001 CL500
hmm...
At times my CL500's abc feels funny also. Feels like the abc is fine at times then I would have moments where the ride is very rough. Passengers in my car have told me the ride is rough. All I know is the service dept. here in Houston SUCKS. I'd probably have to wait a month for the next opening.
At times my CL500's abc feels funny also. Feels like the abc is fine at times then I would have moments where the ride is very rough. Passengers in my car have told me the ride is rough. All I know is the service dept. here in Houston SUCKS. I'd probably have to wait a month for the next opening.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 469
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From: So. Cal
2024 S580 | 2024 Escalade ESV Sport Plat | 2022 X5M Competition
If you recall, I think there were some problems with the 2001 cars with ABC. I believe the car would sometimes suddenly drop while you are driving. So, they held the cars until the resolved the problem.
awiner, are you sure the driver side isn't dropping, as opposed to the passenger side lifting up?
I think the ABC is so advanced and technical that the glitches have to be expected. But it is strange that everyone has somewhat different problems.
I'm guessing there's probably a software update for the system that takes care of it, but on our car, I believe the replaced a bunch of ABC parts.
awiner, are you sure the driver side isn't dropping, as opposed to the passenger side lifting up?
I think the ABC is so advanced and technical that the glitches have to be expected. But it is strange that everyone has somewhat different problems.
I'm guessing there's probably a software update for the system that takes care of it, but on our car, I believe the replaced a bunch of ABC parts.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
I am sure... The drivers side rear is lifting. There are 7 sensors in the vehicle that sense ride height. The problem can be as simple as a bad sensor, or as complicated as any of us can imagine. I will be making an appt. soon and will let you know the outcome. I hate to think of all the things that may need to be removed and replaced.....
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
I made an appoitnment today. I will be bringing my car in on Dec 2nd for this dreaded ABC problem. I get the "Drive Carefully ABC" malfunction all the time now. When this happens the suspension gets very soft as ABC totally is taken offline. My server writer hinted that this problem is usually a real pain in the butt and sometimes requires a totally new ABC system to be installed. Lots of parts ! 
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 469
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From: So. Cal
2024 S580 | 2024 Escalade ESV Sport Plat | 2022 X5M Competition
Originally posted by awiner
I made an appoitnment today. I will be bringing my car in on Dec 2nd for this dreaded ABC problem. I get the "Drive Carefully ABC" malfunction all the time now. When this happens the suspension gets very soft as ABC totally is taken offline. My server writer hinted that this problem is usually a real pain in the butt and sometimes requires a totally new ABC system to be installed. Lots of parts !
I made an appoitnment today. I will be bringing my car in on Dec 2nd for this dreaded ABC problem. I get the "Drive Carefully ABC" malfunction all the time now. When this happens the suspension gets very soft as ABC totally is taken offline. My server writer hinted that this problem is usually a real pain in the butt and sometimes requires a totally new ABC system to be installed. Lots of parts !
Hopefully you can get a loaner while yours is in the shop. In fact, you should demand one.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Originally posted by ///MB
Hopefully you can get a loaner while yours is in the shop. In fact, you should demand one.
Hopefully you can get a loaner while yours is in the shop. In fact, you should demand one.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Got my car back.. Same day... Diagnosed as a Electrical Fault. Dealer replaced a Body Accelerator Sensor (Sending Unit). hopefully all is well now. Dave, mbtech208, told me that part basically is a ESP sensor that tells the ABC when the vehicle is going into a turn.....
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal
2024 S580 | 2024 Escalade ESV Sport Plat | 2022 X5M Competition
Originally posted by awiner
Got my car back.. Same day... Diagnosed as a Electrical Fault. Dealer replaced a Body Accelerator Sensor (Sending Unit). hopefully all is well now. Dave, mbtech208, told me that part basically is a ESP sensor that tells the ABC when the vehicle is going into a turn.....
Got my car back.. Same day... Diagnosed as a Electrical Fault. Dealer replaced a Body Accelerator Sensor (Sending Unit). hopefully all is well now. Dave, mbtech208, told me that part basically is a ESP sensor that tells the ABC when the vehicle is going into a turn.....
Good to hear they got it fixed and that it didn't take long. Hopefully you'll be problem free from here on.
