ABC ACTIVE BODY CONTROL DRIVE CAREFULLY??
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 163
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From: Chico, CA
S55K AMG
The hose passes by the tranny. That is the tuna boat feel that you are describing when the red light comes on. If you are having someone do the pump replacement, almost half of the price is labor, so I would think twice about a rebuilt pump (When mine went out the same thoughts went through my head, but if the rebuilt fails afterwards, you labor costs are going to equal the cost of the new pump). A new pump can be had for about $1200 and I think it is about an 8 hour job, so expect to pay about $2k for the job plus the cost for the pentosin fluid and filters. I don't completely like the maintence schedule that MB has for the ABC system, which essentially is just running the rodeo. I will do a fluid and filter change every 30k to hopefully keep my 2nd pump from failing after 70k miles.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: America
CL600 2003
Diagrams here http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w215...am-file-2.html
Every thing ABC here http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w215...bc-issues.html
Every thing ABC here http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w215...bc-issues.html
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 26
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sl500, bentley GT, 911 cab, 1947 lincoln continental cabriolet
The hose passes by the tranny. That is the tuna boat feel that you are describing when the red light comes on. If you are having someone do the pump replacement, almost half of the price is labor, so I would think twice about a rebuilt pump (When mine went out the same thoughts went through my head, but if the rebuilt fails afterwards, you labor costs are going to equal the cost of the new pump). A new pump can be had for about $1200 and I think it is about an 8 hour job, so expect to pay about $2k for the job plus the cost for the pentosin fluid and filters. I don't completely like the maintence schedule that MB has for the ABC system, which essentially is just running the rodeo. I will do a fluid and filter change every 30k to hopefully keep my 2nd pump from failing after 70k miles.
Thanks to all for advice. Mechanic replaced valve block and several hoses and all was well. After a week ABC Drive Carefully light returned --- goes off when ignition turned off and back on --- happened twic in 3 days --- fluid is not low and car is not drooping. Any ideas?
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S65
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From: Fresno , Ca
2003 cl55 amg, 2008 Range Rover Sport SC
Sorry to hear about Your problem. I just replaced my pump. It sounds to me that your pump is not holding up pressure. Did you try the Rodeo test?? This should tell you. After a few mins it should stop meaning low pressure.
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sl500, bentley GT, 911 cab, 1947 lincoln continental cabriolet
Update on my "ABC Drive Carefully" post
I want to provide an update on the resolution to my "ABC Drive Carefully" post in case others have a similar problem.
Independent mechanic shop read all of the codes and said there were 5 or 6 including low pump pressure. Pump pressure tested OK. I have had a very slow seeping right rear shock for a long time which I ignored because it was so slow that it did not affect fluid level. Mechanic suggested replacing shock because it may be causing a domino effect throwing other codes.
Replaced shock with a rebuilt from Arnott Industries for $599. Have heard they are reliable and perhaps even better quality than OEM from Mercedes. After replacing shock, filters and flushing, no more codes or warning lights. I'm assuming minor leak of fluid was causing pressure variations.
Incidentally, I have had a low speed minor "clunking" that seemed to be coming from the left-front that nobody could diagnose. That went away with the shock replacement. Car is performing flawlessly -- just wish as many of you do that ABC problems were not always hovering over us -- the system is so complex and prone to failure. I got an appreciation for the magnitude of the system just by lifting that single shock --- shipping weight was 24 pounds.
Independent mechanic shop read all of the codes and said there were 5 or 6 including low pump pressure. Pump pressure tested OK. I have had a very slow seeping right rear shock for a long time which I ignored because it was so slow that it did not affect fluid level. Mechanic suggested replacing shock because it may be causing a domino effect throwing other codes.
Replaced shock with a rebuilt from Arnott Industries for $599. Have heard they are reliable and perhaps even better quality than OEM from Mercedes. After replacing shock, filters and flushing, no more codes or warning lights. I'm assuming minor leak of fluid was causing pressure variations.
Incidentally, I have had a low speed minor "clunking" that seemed to be coming from the left-front that nobody could diagnose. That went away with the shock replacement. Car is performing flawlessly -- just wish as many of you do that ABC problems were not always hovering over us -- the system is so complex and prone to failure. I got an appreciation for the magnitude of the system just by lifting that single shock --- shipping weight was 24 pounds.
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the big square nut under the sensor connector on the top of the shock had backed off. they do they do that and when they do- the shock clunks - especially when cold... i am surprised they are not loctite-ed from the factory or something.
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From: America
CL600 2003
What part do you mean? the center part under the sensor between the three bolts?
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2004 S600
I have a 2004 S-600. I was driving to work last week when all of a sudden I heard a faint "pop" then a huge cloud of smoke behind me. A few seconds later the dreaded "ABC System Error, Drive Carefully" message appears. I pull over pop the hood and see oil everywhere. I get the car towed home and start tearing it apart. I found the broken hose but I'm a bit confused. The hose part number is 220-320-5372. The hose itself starts at the pressure side of the pump then goes down under the engine crank pulley, does a 180 deg bend on itself then goes about 10 more inches and just dead-ends. What the heck is the purpose of this hose? At first I thought maybe it is some sort of pressure spike safety hose but I thought that is what the accumulators do so I'm mystified. Any help on what it is and even better on where I can get another one cheep? I have also seen it listed as part number 220-320-4072. Thanks in advance.
Brian
Brian
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I have a 2004 S-600. I was driving to work last week when all of a sudden I heard a faint "pop" then a huge cloud of smoke behind me. A few seconds later the dreaded "ABC System Error, Drive Carefully" message appears. I pull over pop the hood and see oil everywhere. I get the car towed home and start tearing it apart. I found the broken hose but I'm a bit confused. The hose part number is 220-320-5372. The hose itself starts at the pressure side of the pump then goes down under the engine crank pulley, does a 180 deg bend on itself then goes about 10 more inches and just dead-ends. What the heck is the purpose of this hose? At first I thought maybe it is some sort of pressure spike safety hose but I thought that is what the accumulators do so I'm mystified. Any help on what it is and even better on where I can get another one cheep? I have also seen it listed as part number 220-320-4072. Thanks in advance.
Brian
Brian
cant visualize it, but most likely whatever was at the end of your hose blew off and the hose is just dangling. look carefully- it prolly plugs somewhere or you are missing a piece altogether.
there are no dead end hoses on the abc... at least i have not seen any.
also, the part number is called "control unit" ($209 at parts.com) so i definitely think you are missing a piece of the puzzle.
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2004 S600
Slonar21, yes that is the hose I was talking about. Since it self destructed I was able to take a pretty close look at it and I found there was nothing significant about the hose. It was simply a banjo fitting at one end which fed into a flexible inner nylon lined section which then fed into a stainless 180 deg bend which fed into another flexible inner nylon lined section ending in a stainless metal cap. I just can't see how the construction of this hose would lend itself to perform any function what-so-ever. There are no "rebound" damping properties to this hose. During normal operation it would have been completely filled with hydraulic fluid which would sit at the full pressure of the system at all times with no circulation of the fluid at all. Anybody truly "KNOW" what purpose this hose serves?
Thanks,
Brian
Thanks,
Brian
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2004 S600
Well I found the replacement hose for $242 delivered part number 2203205372. Can anybody beat that price? By the way, I asked the dealer what the purpose of the hose was and they have no idea. He only told me that they fail so often it has driven his inventory to carry 2 on hand at all times.
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Well I found the replacement hose for $242 delivered part number 2203205372. Can anybody beat that price? By the way, I asked the dealer what the purpose of the hose was and they have no idea. He only told me that they fail so often it has driven his inventory to carry 2 on hand at all times.
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2004 S600
ALX, yes I did read your previous post. The price, $242, is the $208.80 you mentioned plus the $31.32 Shipping plus the $2.00 Handling fee. I was just wondering if anybody knew of anything cheaper.
Also I disagree the hose is some sort of damper. The black rubber sheath is just there for protection. Inside it is a very rigid, non expandable inner nylon hose that is rigidly attached to all of the metal pieces. Trust me, there is absolutely no expansion of the hose. There wouldn't even be any air trapped in the hose since the fluid is pushed down from above which would allow the air to eventually escape.
Take care,
Brian
Also I disagree the hose is some sort of damper. The black rubber sheath is just there for protection. Inside it is a very rigid, non expandable inner nylon hose that is rigidly attached to all of the metal pieces. Trust me, there is absolutely no expansion of the hose. There wouldn't even be any air trapped in the hose since the fluid is pushed down from above which would allow the air to eventually escape.
Take care,
Brian
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ALX, yes I did read your previous post. The price, $242, is the $208.80 you mentioned plus the $31.32 Shipping plus the $2.00 Handling fee. I was just wondering if anybody knew of anything cheaper.
Also I disagree the hose is some sort of damper. The black rubber sheath is just there for protection. Inside it is a very rigid, non expandable inner nylon hose that is rigidly attached to all of the metal pieces. Trust me, there is absolutely no expansion of the hose. There wouldn't even be any air trapped in the hose since the fluid is pushed down from above which would allow the air to eventually escape.
Take care,
Brian
Also I disagree the hose is some sort of damper. The black rubber sheath is just there for protection. Inside it is a very rigid, non expandable inner nylon hose that is rigidly attached to all of the metal pieces. Trust me, there is absolutely no expansion of the hose. There wouldn't even be any air trapped in the hose since the fluid is pushed down from above which would allow the air to eventually escape.
Take care,
Brian
Ah, i see. Did not add up the numbers. Parts.com is usually the cheapest source for oem parts that I know of.
Regarding expansion- At 180 bars anything non- metal expands. I am also sure that during operation there are much higher pressure hits. It has to be a damper. Otherwise as you noted this part makes no sense.
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From: Irvine
04 CL55, 05 E500S4, 15 BMW i3 REx
Ah, i see. Did not add up the numbers. Parts.com is usually the cheapest source for oem parts that I know of.
Regarding expansion- At 180 bars anything non- metal expands. I am also sure that during operation there are much higher pressure hits. It has to be a damper. Otherwise as you noted this part makes no sense.
Regarding expansion- At 180 bars anything non- metal expands. I am also sure that during operation there are much higher pressure hits. It has to be a damper. Otherwise as you noted this part makes no sense.
