ABC re-installation
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
w215
ABC re-installation
Hi
I bought a CL500 W215 and it already had 'yellowspeeds' shock absorbers installed, but one was already broken. I decided to try putting back the original shock absorbers instead of buying a new kit like strutmaster or yellowspeeds. I installed used shock absorbers, and of course, the car didn't lift.When you replace the original parts with a kit, it is recommended to loop the pump (https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...ng-pump-3.html), but I can't find any trace of this modification.I refilled the reservoir with 4L of CHF, which was completely empty. When I tried to suck the air out of the purge screws with a syringe, nothing came out. I tried pressurizing the reservoir, but it didn't change anything.I saw that there is an MBstar tool for ABC diagnostics, but I couldn't download the program online. Before changing the ABC pump, do you have any advice? Are there other things to do or check? Do you have a link for MBstar to use on Windows, and is a simple OBD connector sufficient?"
I bought a CL500 W215 and it already had 'yellowspeeds' shock absorbers installed, but one was already broken. I decided to try putting back the original shock absorbers instead of buying a new kit like strutmaster or yellowspeeds. I installed used shock absorbers, and of course, the car didn't lift.When you replace the original parts with a kit, it is recommended to loop the pump (https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...ng-pump-3.html), but I can't find any trace of this modification.I refilled the reservoir with 4L of CHF, which was completely empty. When I tried to suck the air out of the purge screws with a syringe, nothing came out. I tried pressurizing the reservoir, but it didn't change anything.I saw that there is an MBstar tool for ABC diagnostics, but I couldn't download the program online. Before changing the ABC pump, do you have any advice? Are there other things to do or check? Do you have a link for MBstar to use on Windows, and is a simple OBD connector sufficient?"
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 26
Likes: 4
From: USA
2006 CL500
Kiux, Nobody has replied because you are going into unchartered territory. Going back to ABC from Coilovers is not easy. You're looking at investing about $10K at least and probably more to replace a majority of the lines, valve blocks, the ABC pump, and 4 new struts.It would be cheaper to just by another CL500 with ABC and update it instead.
I just removed my ABC struts and will proceed with removing the rest of the system in my 2006 CL500. I'm making videos of it on . https://www.youtube.com/@CL500MBZ
I just removed my ABC struts and will proceed with removing the rest of the system in my 2006 CL500. I'm making videos of it on . https://www.youtube.com/@CL500MBZ
Super Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 554
Likes: 150
From: Netherlands
CL 600 '00 5.8L V12
Hi
I bought a CL500 W215 and it already had 'yellowspeeds' shock absorbers installed, but one was already broken. I decided to try putting back the original shock absorbers instead of buying a new kit like strutmaster or yellowspeeds. I installed used shock absorbers, and of course, the car didn't lift.When you replace the original parts with a kit, it is recommended to loop the pump (https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...ng-pump-3.html), but I can't find any trace of this modification.I refilled the reservoir with 4L of CHF, which was completely empty. When I tried to suck the air out of the purge screws with a syringe, nothing came out. I tried pressurizing the reservoir, but it didn't change anything.I saw that there is an MBstar tool for ABC diagnostics, but I couldn't download the program online. Before changing the ABC pump, do you have any advice? Are there other things to do or check? Do you have a link for MBstar to use on Windows, and is a simple OBD connector sufficient?"
I bought a CL500 W215 and it already had 'yellowspeeds' shock absorbers installed, but one was already broken. I decided to try putting back the original shock absorbers instead of buying a new kit like strutmaster or yellowspeeds. I installed used shock absorbers, and of course, the car didn't lift.When you replace the original parts with a kit, it is recommended to loop the pump (https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...ng-pump-3.html), but I can't find any trace of this modification.I refilled the reservoir with 4L of CHF, which was completely empty. When I tried to suck the air out of the purge screws with a syringe, nothing came out. I tried pressurizing the reservoir, but it didn't change anything.I saw that there is an MBstar tool for ABC diagnostics, but I couldn't download the program online. Before changing the ABC pump, do you have any advice? Are there other things to do or check? Do you have a link for MBstar to use on Windows, and is a simple OBD connector sufficient?"
I'd check what hardware is installed on the car.
It's possible that the ABC module has been disconnected/bypassed otherwise it'd give errors on the dashboard regarding the ride height of the car.
As for testing, you'll need to get your hands on a C3/C4 multiplexer and a computer with Xentry/SDS/DAS installed. Then you can diagnose the ABC system properly. Regular ODB adapters will not work.
