Possible electrical problem with hydropneumatic ABC (Active Body Control) suspension
I just got this car(2002 cl500) and I noticed the suspension was a little off, the front two are even then the rear are a but lower(not sure if it’s supposed to be like that) and the rear passenger side is about an inch lower than the rear drivers side. After turning the car on and raising it up, it only went up a little but it’s been over 10 hours since and it hasn’t lowered at all so I think it’s safe to say there’s no leak. So at this point I feel like it might just be some sensor that might be at fault. Previous owner information:He said he had just got a new key, he had changed out a dead battery with a new one. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...930d16c71.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...358317f5b.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...0e744ffd8.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...f1272d02d.jpeg |
Congratulations on your purchase of the CL500. The suspension is not an air suspension, but the hydropneumatic ABC (Active Body Control) suspension system.
Unfortunately it is known for its many problems. There are many write-ups at the Benzworld forum about problems and fixes. |
Originally Posted by calgary
(Post 7684977)
Congratulations on your purchase of the CL500. The suspension is not an air suspension, but the hydropneumatic ABC (Active Body Control) suspension system.
Unfortunately it is known for its many problems. There are many write-ups at the Benzworld forum about problems and fixes. |
I suggest riding it hard until ABC breaks and then go for a coilover conversion. Unless these systems are meticulously maintained from the beginning, they have too many problems |
Originally Posted by ctravis595
(Post 7685616)
I suggest riding it hard until ABC breaks and then go for a coilover conversion. Unless these systems are meticulously maintained from the beginning, they have too many problems |
Originally Posted by Yuki18
(Post 7686313)
yeah I hear a lot of people doing this but as I said I’m only 18 so my pockets aren’t very deep, I’ll consider it once I get a job and find a good amount of info on this. Thanks again 👋 Also, I lowered my whole CL 1.5 inches with the lowering links. This has no negative impact on the ABC system but makes it handle far better in the corners because you have a lower center of gravity. So it will make the car more fun to drive. My first car (when i was 16) was a Plymouth Belvedere with torsion bar suspension. I had a blast lowering it to the ground practically. |
Originally Posted by RonCL55
(Post 7687333)
If you want to drive it like it is and there are no immediate problems with the suspension then you can get lowering links on EBay for $100 for all 4 wheels. All are adjustable so you can independently adjust each wheel to the height you want. That would allow you to make everything even. Also, I lowered my whole CL 1.5 inches with the lowering links. This has no negative impact on the ABC system but makes it handle far better in the corners because you have a lower center of gravity. So it will make the car more fun to drive. My first car (when i was 16) was a Plymouth Belvedere with torsion bar suspension. I had a blast lowering it to the ground practically. |
Here is the link for a CL55. I am sure you will be able to find one for your car using the compatibility guide. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-06-MER...frcectupt=true |
Originally Posted by RonCL55
(Post 7687397)
Here is the link for a CL55. I am sure you will be able to find one for your car using the compatibility guide. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-06-MER...frcectupt=true |
Or make them for $25 (see last post) CL lowering links for $70 or less
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Smartadze. Nice reference thread and good discussion. I put 20K on my lowering links and no issues at all. Works perfectly with the ABC system because you can raise the car with the push of a button as needed.
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Hmm I think we are getting ahead of ourselves with this problem.. lowering links because the abc won’t self-level? I’m not sure about your level of mechanic ability but you should be able to do two things at the least- 1. Jack up your car 2. Remove tire/change spare i think first we need to visually inspect your height sensors, with almost 300k miles they are very likely damaged or coming loose. the fronts are fairly easy to inspect, they are connected to what’s called your upper control arm. It’s shaped sorta like wishbone rear ride height sensors are harder to find but easier to diagnose in my opinion. Remove the rear wheels, and INSIDE front your Lower control arm in the rear you will see a small arm that connects to a sensor on one side and Connects to your rear control arm on the other side these sensors in the rear are particularly prone to damage in my experience, especially if someone inexperienced had worked on the rear suspension and didn’t support the control arm while dropping the rear wheel hub/arms lastly I’m not sure I recommend lowering links at all, I believe the lowering links, paired with not changing abc fluid every 15k miles, severely stressed my abc system until struts and pumps started failing. The system is already tricky , and while the lowered look is nice I don’t see the logic in trying to manipulate a system with a bad reputation for failure. My car came with lowering links already installed when I bought it |
Originally Posted by ctravis595
(Post 7688358)
Hmm I think we are getting ahead of ourselves with this problem.. lowering links because the abc won’t self-level? I’m not sure about your level of mechanic ability but you should be able to do two things at the least- 1. Jack up your car 2. Remove tire/change spare i think first we need to visually inspect your height sensors, with almost 300k miles they are very likely damaged or coming loose. the fronts are fairly easy to inspect, they are connected to what’s called your upper control arm. It’s shaped sorta like wishbone rear ride height sensors are harder to find but easier to diagnose in my opinion. Remove the rear wheels, and INSIDE front your Lower control arm in the rear you will see a small arm that connects to a sensor on one side and Connects to your rear control arm on the other side these sensors in the rear are particularly prone to damage in my experience, especially if someone inexperienced had worked on the rear suspension and didn’t support the control arm while dropping the rear wheel hub/arms lastly I’m not sure I recommend lowering links at all, I believe the lowering links, paired with not changing abc fluid every 15k miles, severely stressed my abc system until struts and pumps started failing. The system is already tricky , and while the lowered look is nice I don’t see the logic in trying to manipulate a system with a bad reputation for failure. My car came with lowering links already installed when I bought it |
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