CL500 ABC issue
09-27-2018, 10:40 AM
#1
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2001 CL500
CL500 ABC issue
Hello everyone,
I'm brand new to the site. My name is Brian and I recently purchased a 2001 CL500. I have been admiring the W215 body style since it came out however I just recently had the means to purchase one. Mine is not in perfect condition however its still a great driver. I have ran into an issue with the ABC system however. I have scoured the internet as well as these forums for the past couple weeks for an answer however I couldn't find any direction that applies to my specific issues. I'm a DIYer and would really like to tackle as many problems and learn as much as I can before I send the car into an independent shop for assistance.
My problem:
I currently have the ABC "visit workshop" (not the red one) message on my screen. The car seems to jump up to the highest suspension position every time I start driving. The raise/lower button on the dash lights up however it doesn't seem to do anything when I push it. As I drive the car is very stiff and harsh especially when I hit any bumps in the road (almost violent at times). The interesting part is when I stop and place the car from drive to park or neutral, then go back to drive again it lowers down to the lowest suspension position (all 4 corners). But just to raise all the way up again once I start moving. I have checked the fluid levels in both reservoirs and it is topped off with clean clear fluid. Done a visual inspecion of the connections at each strut, checked the ride height sensors as well as checked under the car for any visible leaks...nothing found. All 4 struts appear to be in good shape and working fine. I'm a little lost as I assume my tandem pump is working because it does raise and lower all 4 corners equally, just not on my command and whenever it feels like I'm moving. Any ideas on where to go from here?
2001 CL500
Black on Black
148k miles
I'm brand new to the site. My name is Brian and I recently purchased a 2001 CL500. I have been admiring the W215 body style since it came out however I just recently had the means to purchase one. Mine is not in perfect condition however its still a great driver. I have ran into an issue with the ABC system however. I have scoured the internet as well as these forums for the past couple weeks for an answer however I couldn't find any direction that applies to my specific issues. I'm a DIYer and would really like to tackle as many problems and learn as much as I can before I send the car into an independent shop for assistance.
My problem:
I currently have the ABC "visit workshop" (not the red one) message on my screen. The car seems to jump up to the highest suspension position every time I start driving. The raise/lower button on the dash lights up however it doesn't seem to do anything when I push it. As I drive the car is very stiff and harsh especially when I hit any bumps in the road (almost violent at times). The interesting part is when I stop and place the car from drive to park or neutral, then go back to drive again it lowers down to the lowest suspension position (all 4 corners). But just to raise all the way up again once I start moving. I have checked the fluid levels in both reservoirs and it is topped off with clean clear fluid. Done a visual inspecion of the connections at each strut, checked the ride height sensors as well as checked under the car for any visible leaks...nothing found. All 4 struts appear to be in good shape and working fine. I'm a little lost as I assume my tandem pump is working because it does raise and lower all 4 corners equally, just not on my command and whenever it feels like I'm moving. Any ideas on where to go from here?
2001 CL500
Black on Black
148k miles
09-28-2018, 12:40 AM
#2
Cheapest solution is to get good used ride height sensors , they are easily replaced on the strut tops and cost about $50 for all 4 used .
Second get your car on a factory sds diagnostic computer to check the abc system . This will usually cost at least an hour of labor at a shop with the computer
Second get your car on a factory sds diagnostic computer to check the abc system . This will usually cost at least an hour of labor at a shop with the computer
09-28-2018, 11:51 AM
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Cheapest solution is to get good used ride height sensors , they are easily replaced on the strut tops and cost about $50 for all 4 used .
Second get your car on a factory sds diagnostic computer to check the abc system . This will usually cost at least an hour of labor at a shop with the computer
Second get your car on a factory sds diagnostic computer to check the abc system . This will usually cost at least an hour of labor at a shop with the computer
09-29-2018, 07:55 PM
#4
Cheapest solution is to get good used ride height sensors , they are easily replaced on the strut tops and cost about $50 for all 4 used .
Second get your car on a factory sds diagnostic computer to check the abc system . This will usually cost at least an hour of labor at a shop with the computer
Second get your car on a factory sds diagnostic computer to check the abc system . This will usually cost at least an hour of labor at a shop with the computer
Thanks for the advice. Ill go ahead and give that a try since is so cheap. Im also looking for a local indy in my area to check codes on the system so I at least have direction as to which components to start with. With the cost of ABC parts I certainly dont want to start throwing parts at it blindly.
09-29-2018, 07:57 PM
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2001 CL500
Disregard the first part of that post. Don't start throwing parts at it without doing any diagnosis on the vehicle. The ride height sensors are not located on top of the struts. The fronts are on the body with linkage to the upper control arm. The rears are on the underside of the body with linkage to the lower control arm. There is no reason to replace them all. Of the 15 years professional working on these cars daily I have only replaced maybe 2 level sensors that failed internally. Typically get replaced from impact damage, careless tow truck drivers hooking the rear control arms, improper installation from body shop.
09-29-2018, 08:47 PM
#6
09-29-2018, 10:36 PM
#7
Here is the sensor
002 542 6918 and yes they are in the strut tops
see eBay item 140568042703
they are $8 each and worth trying before you spend $150+ of your money on a scam
002 542 6918 and yes they are in the strut tops
see eBay item 140568042703
they are $8 each and worth trying before you spend $150+ of your money on a scam
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09-29-2018, 10:44 PM
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2001 CL500
Here is the sensor
002 542 6918 and yes they are in the strut tops
see eBay item 140568042703
they are $8 each and worth trying before you spend $150+ of your money on a scam
002 542 6918 and yes they are in the strut tops
see eBay item 140568042703
they are $8 each and worth trying before you spend $150+ of your money on a scam
09-29-2018, 11:32 PM
#9
To be fair there is a DTB regarding random body movements from those. Id have to look up the DTB but I recall it gives you applicable part number and Q number to see if yours apply to the bulletin
09-29-2018, 11:39 PM
#10
09-30-2018, 02:47 AM
#13
Thanks for posting the documents knowbenz
yes they are NEAR the strut tops , not on the strut tops
at $8 each i would try them first as they are known to fail in early cars
it’s much cheaper than the abc control module
yes they are NEAR the strut tops , not on the strut tops
at $8 each i would try them first as they are known to fail in early cars
it’s much cheaper than the abc control module
Last edited by tusabes; 09-30-2018 at 03:04 AM.
10-01-2018, 11:24 PM
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2001 CL500
10-02-2018, 09:50 PM
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10-02-2018, 10:52 PM
#18
Be sure and check the ones that arrive. If you look at the picture in that listing the date code is week 18 of year 2000, the DTB I posted first says to replace with a date greater than week 01 of 2002. Likely why the price is so low. You very may well end up with a set of sensors that could potentially cause a problem.
10-02-2018, 11:04 PM
#19
Just send the seller a message saying you want ones with the second line date code after 02
i bought from him and he had plenty with 04 date codes
you might want to also get the abc control unit I saw some under $50 on eBay
that is very cheap and will rule it out as the problem .
i bought from him and he had plenty with 04 date codes
you might want to also get the abc control unit I saw some under $50 on eBay
that is very cheap and will rule it out as the problem .
10-02-2018, 11:28 PM
#20
With the message on the dash you really should get it diagnosed, at least find somebody in your area that can scan it and give you the fault codes. Throwing parts at it when there is clearly a fault code in the system is taking the long route and then never really knowing whats going on. Diagnosing ABC faults literally takes 15 minutes tops.
10-02-2018, 11:48 PM
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With the message on the dash you really should get it diagnosed, at least find somebody in your area that can scan it and give you the fault codes. Throwing parts at it when there is clearly a fault code in the system is taking the long route and then never really knowing whats going on. Diagnosing ABC faults literally takes 15 minutes tops.
02-19-2019, 01:02 AM
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Cl500
I got a 2002 CL500 and it leaves the front side a little higher than the back and the rear passenger side is about a inch lower than the driver side, I thought this would probably be a sensor because it’s obvious there is no leak and the oil is full and clean. Do you think this would fix it and did you ever fix yours?
02-19-2019, 11:57 AM
#23
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2001 CL500
I got a 2002 CL500 and it leaves the front side a little higher than the back and the rear passenger side is about a inch lower than the driver side, I thought this would probably be a sensor because it’s obvious there is no leak and the oil is full and clean. Do you think this would fix it and did you ever fix yours?
02-19-2019, 08:09 PM
#25
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Just a quick note
my cl500 2000. 286,000 miles had the right front sensor connector loose located behind the front strut 3 quarters of the way up.......easy to access with wheel off!...it causes the car computer to pump up suspension but doesn’t alter it after that . Pressing button inside car makes no difference and shows white abc visit shop warning
.I used a small cable tie to make it seat properly and fixed the issue immediately !
my cl500 2000. 286,000 miles had the right front sensor connector loose located behind the front strut 3 quarters of the way up.......easy to access with wheel off!...it causes the car computer to pump up suspension but doesn’t alter it after that . Pressing button inside car makes no difference and shows white abc visit shop warning
.I used a small cable tie to make it seat properly and fixed the issue immediately !
