fspider

First of, I believe that on a car of this value when new. The ABC system is the crappyist over complex piece of engineering ever to be put on a car. Mercedes should be ashamed of them selfs for putting a system out there when it clearly was not ready for the road.
So back to the story....

Over the last two weeks my ABC was acting up, it had a mind of its own. It worked when it wanted to, some times a few of the struts were sticking and clicking. I had no leaks and the red warning light came on, it even said at one point that the car was to low to drive. The body was sitting at various hights ect ext. Really FUBAR.
I booked it into the Merc specialist and they plugged it in. The car was not accepting the machines program. Then it eventually did, it was saying that there was a fault in every strut. Then they configured the whole on car ABC ECU. Now.....fully sorted with out any faults. The cars perfect again after I was bracing my self for strutt replacement.
Get it plugged in and re configured brothers, you will never know. You may be surprised. It's the best £90 I have spent on this car to date. No doubt until next time.

juniordriver

good to know.

C280 Sport

Glad to hear it went well. The ABC system is amazing and works wonders...When it works 100% I have been very lucky with mine so far with 0 issues(Knock on wood). I do wish they would do away with it or just save it for say the 65 AMG's How many miles on your C215?

fspider

Yea my CL500 has 92k miles now. Every thing on the car is perfect, the engine should go on and on. However, with the bloody ABC. One always has an eye on the dash for some problem or another. to be fair this was my first problem with the ABC since owning the old girl.
I recon the old days of the saying that "old mercs go on for ever",I fear are over. Though they will no doubt still have there engines running......only on axel stands

C280 Sport

The ABC can be a real pain in the a$$. There are Airmatic removal kits however I am not sure about ABC. There is word that ABC removal kits are around but I am not 100% sure if its true. Maybe look into that? I have seen personally a M120 V12 with 400k miles not rebuilt There is also over on peachparts a W140 S600 with 366k on it

Here is the link to the 140 on PP http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1997-s600.html

I have also seen the E55 211 with 200,000+ on it(Airmatic removal to coil overs)
I have faith in the engine on a 600/65/63/55 going for 200k+ but the ABC will need care. I keep the 600 in Florida as I hear the ABC's do not do very well with cold weather?

BlownV8

There are a few CL members on here with the ABC removal kit. A quick search should get you the information.

Crissus

Ok, what reconfiguration is this? Is it done via the Star Diagnosis?

awiner

Yes, there are adaptation routines in STAR DAS that calibrate the strut rod travel, height and level, as well as the acceleration vertical and horizontal sensors.

These are simple procedures to run which will recalibrate the ABC system.

They are meant to be done on a alignment rack using the Romus meter.

fspider

Yea it's only a simple procedure if the car accepts the Star Diagnosis machine and gives the codes. As I said mine would not at first, but a couple of try's later it eventually did. God knows what would have happens had it not.
So to todays latest up date on my car. Ttoday nearly 3 months later and almost 3,000 miles the cars ABC has not caused a moments problems since it was re configured. It all works 100% as should.