I noticed today when sitting idling for a while, (I was warming up the car while reading my 421 page owner's manual lol), that the car suddenly 'jumped' like somebody shoved the rear of the car sideways. Definitely gave me a burst of adrenalin, I think the ABC system did it, no other explanation. Happened twice, both after idling for a long period. I have an ABC new filter/flush/check & rodeo scheduled, I know this system and will keep it in top shape but damn. Ever have that happen?

 

Thats very odd! I cannot say my CL has ever done that. Do you have any warning light or notificatons on the dash? Especially in red?

 

No, nothing. The car runs like a dream, all systems, and has been pretty well maintained, and now that I own it it will receive even better treatment

If I had to speculate I'd say there was an air bubble in the line that hit the valve body and caused a corner to drop or raise momentarily - but is that even possible? Does the ABC fluid circulate under pressure, or is it simply pressurized by the ABC oil pump? I imagine it flows or circulates like a typical hydraulic system. Odd.

 

Last night I was thinking and I came up with the explanation: I ride horses,and when standing too long my horse will fidget around a bit, as if to say "Alons mon ami!" It was just this high performance car telling me, "I wasn't made to sit here, let's go!" Problem solved

 

This is actually becoming a common issue with CL's as they age. There are many sensors that control the ABC system.

When those sensors start to fail or experience inaccurate data, you will experience what you have explained. Generally the body acceleration sensors are the issue.

It may not happen again for some time or it may continue to happen.

The worst is when your driving down the highway at 60+ and it happens. It will literally move you a lane if you aren't right on top of correcting the steering input.

 

Understood. There are approx. (10) sensors in the ABC system, replacing all of them already sounds painful, is there a way to pinpoint the offending sensor?

 

what year and how many miles on the car?

 

I would start by reading the codes that may be stored and seeing if one sensor is reporting issues.

Other than that it is a crap shoot.

 

The detail guy where I work told me an SL we have basically went in to a rodeo on its own. I didn't really believe him. Is it possible for a car to do that?

 

2002 and 136K

 

You, sir are a wealth of information, you are now on my official "I owe you a beer list". Next time I'm down in socal you can redeem the free Night of Beer coupon.

Is it possible to read codes without a diagnostic program or laptop?

 

Unfortunately not. Only the workshop computer or a good clone cal pull the codes from the ABC module.

 

From service records:
- 'air suspension checked' at 110K
- 1 accumulator and 2 valve bodies replaced and rodeo at 136K
- no record of ABC pump replacement.

Currently car has intermittent issues:
1) After idling for about 10 minutes a rear corner will drop and raise back up, unnerving, has never happened while driving. I think it's the car telling me 'Let's go!' lol.
2) White ABC warning will come on, maybe 2-3 times per week. Car feels normal.
3) Red ABC warning will come on,maybe 2 times a month. No ABC pressure in system. Turning off the engine and restarting the car brings back normal operation. Really odd.

My first thought is that some crud is circulating through my system. Not good. Filter flush & rodeo I keep putting off, but I know, I know, going to cost me.

Question: Won't an OBD II reader pull the ABC codes? Or is it a proprietary system as you say?

 

^^An obdII reader won't read the ABC codes.

Also, sounds like your pump is starting to die. Get it tested to see what pressure its keeping the system at. Only can be done at the dealer/indie mechanic with the Star. Also, you had your air suspension checked at 110K? Interesting considering your car is a ABC car. No air in your suspension.

R.K.

 

People are dumb and don't know the difference, even at the dealership.

 

Idling for long periods of time and not driving is not generally recommended.
Good luck with your problem. I would take it to the original shop who did the replacements at 110k/136k miles and see if they can detect "soft codes" re: the odd behavior in ABC with their WIS or STAR system. If they are an MB dealer or an authorized repair specialist you might point out the repair maybe warranted for a year.

If they replaced something check the fluid level: read the owners manual. Did they add ABC fluid or replace with a new ABC filter after the replacement? Sometimes you only lose a litre or so when a component is replaced thus no need to do a "flush." This can cause more problems then it cures! Situations are different. Don't start flushing unless an ABC expert on the ground tells you to. You need more information about what the 110k replacement actually entailed. If they don't follow the correct steps like fluid replacement if any leaked, etc. then:

You may have air in the system. Low level of fluid is not a sufficient condition for the solution but it can't hurt. Don't overfill!

If they are Jake's Foreign Car Expert's good luck.

Sorry about the title spelling - new computer.

 

Get the codes with star. You can be assured that there is at least one ABC code stored when you get the "ABC warning - Visit Workshop" warning. Also there are a lot of system checks available with the STAR Diagnosis, Pressure-Drop over time like mentioning before, etc etc.

 

 

This has not been mentioned yet but leave your car in ABC Sport mode if you start experiencing any sort of ABC issues.. ABC sport will pressurize to max the system and just leave it... this way you "feel" the road.. the advantage is the car is not going to be moving struts etc trying to compenstate for bumps in the roads or relying too heavily on sensors.

 

Interesting, I do run in ABC sport mode all the time anyway. I really don't notice much difference between sport and standard mode.

 

actually, you want the abc in top most position height-wise if you have problems.

 

My 03 CL55 has the same issue (number 1 up there). But, it doesn't raise back up unless I start moving or manually raise the car via the dash button. I haven't had any (knock on wood) warning messages from the dash though. From what I've read, it's likely a leaking valve block in my case. Hope yours is as simple as that.