abc red light of death
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo NY
E55 AMG CL55 AMG
abc red light of death
My 03 CL55 (89k) has been having an intermittent issue where when the weathers below freezing the gray abc warning will turn on. no issues with warmer weather. i had bought the car 6 days ago and today the red warning turns on. i kinda wanna know a little more before i take it to the stealership, i don’t see any visual leaks, no noises, fluid is full (little dark) and ride height is just where it should be. unsure when the fluid and filter was flushed last. any help thus far is appreciated
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 285
Likes: 27
From: Calgary Alberta Canada
2001 Mercedes CL500 2006 E350 4-matic
My 03 CL55 (89k) has been having an intermittent issue where when the weathers below freezing the gray abc warning will turn on. no issues with warmer weather. i had bought the car 6 days ago and today the red warning turns on. i kinda wanna know a little more before i take it to the stealership, i don’t see any visual leaks, no noises, fluid is full (little dark) and ride height is just where it should be. unsure when the fluid and filter was flushed last. any help thus far is appreciated
The oil for the ABC and Power Steering should be a light green in color. If it is "little dark" it is time to change it together with the filter. The reason for the warning lights can be a number of issues. ( Perhaps the reason of the previous owner to sell it).
Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 247
Likes: 58
From: Fort Worth
2005 CL55 AMG || 2005 CL65 AMG || 1989 560SEC
I think I've read threads with this same issue in the past... IIRC the 2 large accumulators failing can cause this. They have an interior rubber diaphragm and high pressure gas charge, so I could see low temperature causing trouble with feeble/old ones.
If I were in your position I'd replace 3 accumulators (2 big ones)/one pulsation damper, and flush fluid before worrying much further.
If I were in your position I'd replace 3 accumulators (2 big ones)/one pulsation damper, and flush fluid before worrying much further.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 54
Likes: 7
From: Wichita Ks
2005 CL55 AMG and 2005 SLK55 AMG
Mine was doing the same thing. I had to watch the dash just to see what it said because it would flash so quick. When going over bumps it would flash a red ABC warning. I let it go for a little bit while I researched it and finally blew out one of the hoses in the system. I would look into replacing the accumulators like mentioned earlier. I got mine from FCP EURO with a lifetime guarantee. Not a very hard job to do. No problems since then. Good luck.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 8
CL55 AMG
If you haven't already, depending on how old your car is I'd also rebuild the front driver and rear passenger valve blocks and replace the o-ring seals on them.
There's plenty of guides and this wouldn't hurt the car either. Don't forget to do the procedure to get rid of all the air in the system.
1. Use the ABC button and cycle up and down at least 10-20 times.
2. Turn the wheel all the way left and then all the way right at least 10-20 times.
Problems of the ABC system:
1. Pump is failing and needs to be rebuilt
2. ABC compressor hoses are old and the rusted fittings or rubber is failing
3. Accumulators are failing
4. Car has been sitting for a while and the entire ABC fluid has not been changed and bled.
5. Valve blocks need to be rebuilt
6. Replace ABC filter in the ABC reservoir
There's plenty of guides and this wouldn't hurt the car either. Don't forget to do the procedure to get rid of all the air in the system.
1. Use the ABC button and cycle up and down at least 10-20 times.
2. Turn the wheel all the way left and then all the way right at least 10-20 times.
Problems of the ABC system:
1. Pump is failing and needs to be rebuilt
2. ABC compressor hoses are old and the rusted fittings or rubber is failing
3. Accumulators are failing
4. Car has been sitting for a while and the entire ABC fluid has not been changed and bled.
5. Valve blocks need to be rebuilt
6. Replace ABC filter in the ABC reservoir
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 389
Likes: 4
2002 E430
Consider going with coilovers. I know this is not popupar among purists but it worked well for me. Ride is like 90%+ stock with Yellow Speed coils. I will be swapping out abc with s500 ps pump then and add front sway bars.
