CL-Class (W215) 2000-2006: CL 500, CL 600

CL500 ABC issues...2003

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Old Oct 17, 2011 | 11:02 AM
  #1  
jordanf's Avatar
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2003 cl500
CL500 ABC issues...2003

Help...

My cl500 drops very low in rear on right side. Tires almost touching wheel well.

This happens in the afternoon after driving 10-20 miles.

In the morning- I start car. Touch hieght adjustment up...hear a clanking sound and then the rear right side raises up. I get the white ABC warnng on dashboard. I drive, next time I start car the red warning comes on...visit workshop.

At some point the car drops and then the stop car warning comes on. Go home...drink some beer...fall asleep...and then it starts all over again in the AM.

Any thoughts besides starting the beer earlier?
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Old Oct 17, 2011 | 01:49 PM
  #2  
saintz's Avatar
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From: Charleston, SC
GL450
If it falls you have either a bad strut or bad valve block. I would guess strut, but check the ABC fluid level (near driver headlight). If it is low, bad strut. If it is not low, bad valve block.

If the strut is leaking, it needs to be replaced. If the valve block is leaking and:

It falls after a few days, it doesn't need to be replaced.
It falls overnight, it's your call whether to replace it.
It falls after an hour or when driving, it needs to be replaced.
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Old Oct 17, 2011 | 01:50 PM
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2003 cl500
thanks...I think i saw some leakage around the strut when they did brakes. how expensive is a new strut?
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Old Oct 22, 2011 | 02:53 PM
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GLC 63
A new strut cost me somewhere around $1400 - $1900 installed
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Old Oct 22, 2011 | 04:30 PM
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A rebuilt strut with a lifetime warranty is $599 from Arnott (www.arnottindustries.com). I use these on MB, Audi, GM, etc ALL the time. They are great and are so much less expensive than OEM, plus all you'll have to pay for is labor should they ever fail again. Can't beat that.

Bruce
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Old Oct 25, 2011 | 01:55 AM
  #6  
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CL 600
Originally Posted by Becks Imports
A rebuilt strut with a lifetime warranty is $599 from Arnott (www.arnottindustries.com). I use these on MB, Audi, GM, etc ALL the time. They are great and are so much less expensive than OEM, plus all you'll have to pay for is labor should they ever fail again. Can't beat that.

Bruce
$599? SWEET!
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Old Nov 1, 2011 | 11:44 PM
  #7  
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CL600
ABC Warning Messages

I just bought approx. a month ago a CL600 in FL, I live in TX anyway on the way back from picking up the car about 500 miles out of FL I got that those warning messages on my display. First one the red one ABC Drive Carefully checked my owner's guide said to drive no more than 60mph.

I turned off the car at least 3 times then the message went off. After a short time the ABC Visit Workshop came on I pulled over shut the car down and again had to do this 3 times.

I took it to my mechanic he found out it was low on that special fluid no more lights. I read a lot of posts on here and elsewhere and was flipping out on some of the stuff I read as costs to fix etc. $2,000.00+.

But; so far no messages thank God.

Dave
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 01:42 AM
  #8  
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From: Dallas
CL 600
Originally Posted by CCBIGGS7
I just bought approx. a month ago a CL600 in FL, I live in TX anyway on the way back from picking up the car about 500 miles out of FL I got that those warning messages on my display. First one the red one ABC Drive Carefully checked my owner's guide said to drive no more than 60mph.

I turned off the car at least 3 times then the message went off. After a short time the ABC Visit Workshop came on I pulled over shut the car down and again had to do this 3 times.

I took it to my mechanic he found out it was low on that special fluid no more lights. I read a lot of posts on here and elsewhere and was flipping out on some of the stuff I read as costs to fix etc. $2,000.00+.

But; so far no messages thank God.

Dave
Good to hear. So the fluid was just low causing the light to come on. No damage?
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 03:28 PM
  #9  
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2003 cl500
more....

I added more fluid and car did not drop again for 5 days. I have noticed leakage of fluid below car near pump area since I added more fluid. Now it is back to dropping lower after driving.

This past week, with the additional fluid- I could hear the pump start up in the morning and raise the car slightly... The recall line had been replaced in 8/07

The mechanic said struts look ok.
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