Red ABC message
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 167
Likes: 22
2003 CLK500, 2008 e350
Red ABC message
Well, it finally happened. Have a 2002 CL500 w/100200 miles. Just got the car home with an red "ABC car is too low" message. Everything was working great, could raise/lower the car from inside. Right now, the car looks like it's in the highest position and staying there. Checked fluid, it's fine. I just flushed it, with new filter, about 500 miles ago. One thing I did notice was a hissing sound coming from the drivers, front side, of the engine. Could that be an accumulator leaking air? Any other ideas?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Super Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 554
Likes: 150
From: Netherlands
CL 600 '00 5.8L V12
Did the car feel like a boat? If yes, the accumulators are gone, if not they are not gone. Accumulators have nitrogen in them and they can't leak into the open air, well if you shot a hole in them, they can but otherwise they can't. 
When the accumulators go bad, they will slowly deplete into the system and the extra volume will be filled with hydraulic fluid.
Front drivers side of the engine.. that is where the pump lives.
I'd suggest the following, in this exact order:
When the accumulators go bad, they will slowly deplete into the system and the extra volume will be filled with hydraulic fluid.
Front drivers side of the engine.. that is where the pump lives.
I'd suggest the following, in this exact order:
- Visual check for leaks/bursted hoses (any wet hoses indicate that fluid that shouldn't be there, is there, up to you to determine what fluid it is
)- Make sure to check the hose that comes from the actual pump too! It will be a challenge to get it inspected properly, but it's a must
- Check the ABC system pressure.
- Check and verify the actual values of the ride height sensors with the actual ride height.
- Judging by the fact that abcspecialist.nl sells these sensors seperately, they might go bad.
- If all the above is good, only then try to perform a rodeo, it could be that there is an pocket of air inside the system. Keep an eye on the system's pressure.
It might drop down to 140 bars momentarily but it should recover rather quick.
