How do I know if my ABC broke?
09-01-2012, 07:20 PM
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
How do I know if my ABC broke?
Hi,
I was driving the car a little hard today and when I was stopping at the red light I heard some weird noises coming from what I believe is the right front tire... I parked the car when I got home, let it rest for few hours and when I came back same thing. I raised the car up using the button on the dash and dropped it again... Everything seemed to be fine except that awkward noises I kept hearing.
I parked the car again if front on my building and called this guy who owns like 200 cars and asked him for some help since everything is closed. He looked at the car and he told me that he doesn't even need to drive it, it's hydraulic problem. He said that because he noticed the car is unlevel. I took a look at my rear right tire and I also noticed that he dropped is uneven compared to the front...
He told me don't drive the car and call him tomorrow he can get me a good deal... I still don't know what's up with the car... I hit the button to raise the car up again, then dropped it and it looks fine (I repeated that operation many times)
Does this ever happened to anyone here? Is it the ABC? Am I supposed to see a light coming on the screen and tell me don't drive the car?
Some help would be appreciated because this isn't an easy fix and my car just got out of warranty last week
Thanks
I was driving the car a little hard today and when I was stopping at the red light I heard some weird noises coming from what I believe is the right front tire... I parked the car when I got home, let it rest for few hours and when I came back same thing. I raised the car up using the button on the dash and dropped it again... Everything seemed to be fine except that awkward noises I kept hearing.
I parked the car again if front on my building and called this guy who owns like 200 cars and asked him for some help since everything is closed. He looked at the car and he told me that he doesn't even need to drive it, it's hydraulic problem. He said that because he noticed the car is unlevel. I took a look at my rear right tire and I also noticed that he dropped is uneven compared to the front...
He told me don't drive the car and call him tomorrow he can get me a good deal... I still don't know what's up with the car... I hit the button to raise the car up again, then dropped it and it looks fine (I repeated that operation many times)
Does this ever happened to anyone here? Is it the ABC? Am I supposed to see a light coming on the screen and tell me don't drive the car?
Some help would be appreciated because this isn't an easy fix and my car just got out of warranty last week
Thanks
09-01-2012, 08:18 PM
#2
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2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600
number of things can go wrong in the ABC system. If it just ran out of warranty last week and you know the SA adviser at MB, they may fix it under goodwill.
09-01-2012, 08:23 PM
#3
They sit lopsided every now and then. Leave the car for a few days and see if she loses height at one or more corners.
Abc malfunctions usually are announced to the driver. The only piece in the abc that can make noise when broken is the tandem pump in which case you will know beyond doubt that something is wrong as the car will be undriveable.
"cutting you a good deal" sounds like he will sell you some blinker fluid at great discount.
If you still believe you might have a problem (which you might)- have the car read with das and take it from there.
Abc malfunctions usually are announced to the driver. The only piece in the abc that can make noise when broken is the tandem pump in which case you will know beyond doubt that something is wrong as the car will be undriveable.
"cutting you a good deal" sounds like he will sell you some blinker fluid at great discount.
If you still believe you might have a problem (which you might)- have the car read with das and take it from there.
Last edited by alx; 09-01-2012 at 08:27 PM.
09-02-2012, 10:46 AM
#5
i believe he means don't drive it. i would also check your fluid level. normally you will get a warning light if there is a problem with the sytem. it also might be a loose strutt. i've read where the front strutts sometimes loosen up and cause noise. good luck and don't fix without proof and a valid diagnosis.
09-02-2012, 11:34 AM
#6
Banned
Thread Starter
Guys, I went for a 10 miles drive to get breakfast this morning. I still hear that weird noise. I'm ashamed to admit it but I don't understand much about mechanic (I'm young, haven't had much incidents)
It's my only car so letting it stay in the garage for few days is not an option, I have to go to school/work every day.
I took some pictures, maybe you guys can see something I can't see.
PS: I know I need new brakes and wheels. Just waiting for some money to come-in before I can go ahead and order the lot.
PS2: If there is anyone in the Miami area who's good with cars and willing to help me figure out what's wrong with my toy, please let me know. I will come to you.
It's my only car so letting it stay in the garage for few days is not an option, I have to go to school/work every day.
I took some pictures, maybe you guys can see something I can't see.
PS: I know I need new brakes and wheels. Just waiting for some money to come-in before I can go ahead and order the lot.
PS2: If there is anyone in the Miami area who's good with cars and willing to help me figure out what's wrong with my toy, please let me know. I will come to you.
Last edited by Guilty; 09-02-2012 at 11:38 AM.
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09-05-2012, 07:03 AM
#12
Banned
Thread Starter
JsBenz sucks. They put aftermarket air filters in my car and wanted to charge me OEM price (even more expensive than OEM). They dealt with bad faith with me and didn't properly serviced my car.
09-05-2012, 03:12 PM
#13
ABC again, I am so sick of hearing about this problem on the newer MB's and it reminds me of the old Range Rover air suspension, its plagued. This is not a good every day driver to rely on my friend, if so go buy an old MB for backup. You will not have to deal with these type of problems. They are very temperamental these days lets be realistic here. Very aesthetically pleasing yes and fast when everything is working. Too many gadgets and the car is confused. 
GL w/ the issue.
GL w/ the issue.
Last edited by RPB; 09-05-2012 at 03:20 PM.
09-05-2012, 04:31 PM
#14
Banned
Thread Starter
Yeah I'm seriously considering buying another DD. I'm putting too many miles in the CL. But then.. I'm gonna have a parking problem...
Good news is that it's not the ABC that broke. That's what my SA sent me:
"Yes, they found the ABC system to be fine but found some under voltage codes. They are currently test driving the car to see if the codes will come up in the system again. In reference to the noise you heard it is a ball joint on the left front suspension that is making sound when turning. I will provide you with an estimate for that shortly."
I was just visiting the dealership, they're still trying to figure out what are the voltage codes. I don't know how much the repair is going to be yet.
I'm also gonna ask them to flush the ABC fluid and replace the filter just for a piece of mind.
In two weeks the car will go back to the dealer for a brake-job + service B.
I'm done with dealing with indy shops, it's not worth the headache. I figured that if I drove a CL63, I might as well stop being cheap and take care of her properly and accept to pay the "Mercedes tax".
Good news is that it's not the ABC that broke. That's what my SA sent me:
"Yes, they found the ABC system to be fine but found some under voltage codes. They are currently test driving the car to see if the codes will come up in the system again. In reference to the noise you heard it is a ball joint on the left front suspension that is making sound when turning. I will provide you with an estimate for that shortly."
I was just visiting the dealership, they're still trying to figure out what are the voltage codes. I don't know how much the repair is going to be yet.
I'm also gonna ask them to flush the ABC fluid and replace the filter just for a piece of mind.
In two weeks the car will go back to the dealer for a brake-job + service B.
I'm done with dealing with indy shops, it's not worth the headache. I figured that if I drove a CL63, I might as well stop being cheap and take care of her properly and accept to pay the "Mercedes tax".
09-05-2012, 06:16 PM
#15
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yeah I'm seriously considering buying another DD. I'm putting too many miles in the CL. But then.. I'm gonna have a parking problem...
Good news is that it's not the ABC that broke. That's what my SA sent me:
"Yes, they found the ABC system to be fine but found some under voltage codes. They are currently test driving the car to see if the codes will come up in the system again. In reference to the noise you heard it is a ball joint on the left front suspension that is making sound when turning. I will provide you with an estimate for that shortly."
I was just visiting the dealership, they're still trying to figure out what are the voltage codes. I don't know how much the repair is going to be yet.
I'm also gonna ask them to flush the ABC fluid and replace the filter just for a piece of mind.
In two weeks the car will go back to the dealer for a brake-job + service B.
I'm done with dealing with indy shops, it's not worth the headache. I figured that if I drove a CL63, I might as well stop being cheap and take care of her properly and accept to pay the "Mercedes tax".
Good news is that it's not the ABC that broke. That's what my SA sent me:
"Yes, they found the ABC system to be fine but found some under voltage codes. They are currently test driving the car to see if the codes will come up in the system again. In reference to the noise you heard it is a ball joint on the left front suspension that is making sound when turning. I will provide you with an estimate for that shortly."
I was just visiting the dealership, they're still trying to figure out what are the voltage codes. I don't know how much the repair is going to be yet.
I'm also gonna ask them to flush the ABC fluid and replace the filter just for a piece of mind.
In two weeks the car will go back to the dealer for a brake-job + service B.
I'm done with dealing with indy shops, it's not worth the headache. I figured that if I drove a CL63, I might as well stop being cheap and take care of her properly and accept to pay the "Mercedes tax".
Find a better indie mechanic. Mine is better than the dealers locally.
R.K.
09-05-2012, 07:34 PM
#16
glad you got it figured out.
09-06-2012, 02:25 PM
#21
Banned
Thread Starter
I gave them the green light, my car should be ready tomorrow. I told them to not do the alignment though, $300! I'm gonna have it done somewhere else, but do I really need it?
09-06-2012, 04:44 PM
#22
Super Moderator
Yes, if they are replacing the control arm bushings, the control arms need to come out which means an alignment is necessary.
