ABC yikes?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Left Coast
2002 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG
ABC yikes?
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?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Left Coast
2002 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Left Coast
2002 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG
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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
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.
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.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Other than that it is a crap shoot.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Left Coast
2002 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG
Is it possible to read codes without a diagnostic program or laptop?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Left Coast
2002 Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG
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?
- '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?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,559
Likes: 79
2015 Challenger Hellcat, 2023 Ram 3500, 2005 E55 Wagon, 2019 GLC63s
^^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.
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.
MBworld Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 10
From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
^^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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 11
From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
Indling, not driving?
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.
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.
Last edited by grane; Mar 30, 2013 at 12:09 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 698
Likes: 16
From: Germany
C215 CL55 AMG, W124 500E, W210 E430, W124 300E
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 11
From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, AL
2005 CL55 AMG
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 4
CL55 AMG
.....
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.
....
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.
....
