White ABC malfunction warning
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 986
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From: Kingsville Ontario (South of Detroit)
2003 S500 4Matic (SOLD) + 2004 S55 (SOLD) 2005 CLK 500 Cabriolet 2008 S 450
White ABC malfunction warning
I get the white message almost every time I drive the car. I don't think it's the pump or related ABC parts because after shutting off the car and restarting the malfunction display shows "no malfunctions".
I'm wondering if a weak battery could cause this. It sure seems electrical in nature.
What do you think?
I'm wondering if a weak battery could cause this. It sure seems electrical in nature.
What do you think?
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 213
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From: Indiana
2002 S430
Yes, the battery did it to me and to many others as testified on the forum.
It is almost surely electronic, the battery looks fine as it tarts the engine OK, but apparently the sensor network, the SAMs are not getting consistent power.
But, I got lots of other malfunction scares at the same time, and some electronic options simply stopped working.
A new battery solved all the problems.
It is always a good idea to start the trouble shooting there.
It is almost surely electronic, the battery looks fine as it tarts the engine OK, but apparently the sensor network, the SAMs are not getting consistent power.
But, I got lots of other malfunction scares at the same time, and some electronic options simply stopped working.
A new battery solved all the problems.
It is always a good idea to start the trouble shooting there.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 986
Likes: 6
From: Kingsville Ontario (South of Detroit)
2003 S500 4Matic (SOLD) + 2004 S55 (SOLD) 2005 CLK 500 Cabriolet 2008 S 450
I agree. I'll change th battery immediately and see if I still have the same issues. Thanks for your input.
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Joined: Nov 2012
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2003 S55
I would check the fluid level/condition immediately. How many miles on the car/fluid? I have an '03 S55 with 103k miles and got the red ABC warning a week ago on two separate occasions, but it didn't reappear after restarting the car each time. After the second warning, I checked my ride height and found the right front was sitting about a quarter inch lower than any other corner so I decided to do a fluid/filter change to see if that would remedy the situation. I used my mightyvac to suck out all of the fluid (using the filter opening as that allows access to the lowest part of the resevoir) and it was quite dark and opaque. I also changed to the newer 3 micron filter. The previous owner had stated he had the ABC pump changed at around 85k miles so the fluid only had around 20k miles on it and it was a bit surprising to see how contaminated it appeared.
After filling with new fluid and cycling the system up/down about 20 times, I haven't had the warning in over a week and the fluid is still nice and light green/clear. I plan on doing another fluid and filter change in a couple weeks in order to minimize the amount of contaminants left in the system. If I can remember to, I'll take a picture of the old fluid and compare it to both the first flush fluid and new fluid to show how much crud can build up even in an ABC system that is functioning properly. For anyone doing this method, it takes exactly 2 liters to refill the resevoir. And now that I think about it, I haven't gone back to check the ride height after the fluid/filter change, so I'll have to do that tonight and report the findings.
After filling with new fluid and cycling the system up/down about 20 times, I haven't had the warning in over a week and the fluid is still nice and light green/clear. I plan on doing another fluid and filter change in a couple weeks in order to minimize the amount of contaminants left in the system. If I can remember to, I'll take a picture of the old fluid and compare it to both the first flush fluid and new fluid to show how much crud can build up even in an ABC system that is functioning properly. For anyone doing this method, it takes exactly 2 liters to refill the resevoir. And now that I think about it, I haven't gone back to check the ride height after the fluid/filter change, so I'll have to do that tonight and report the findings.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 986
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From: Kingsville Ontario (South of Detroit)
2003 S500 4Matic (SOLD) + 2004 S55 (SOLD) 2005 CLK 500 Cabriolet 2008 S 450
Thanks for the feedback Pokey. Is the fluid level checked hot or cold, running or not running? Is it like the transmission ie checked when hot and running?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 986
Likes: 6
From: Kingsville Ontario (South of Detroit)
2003 S500 4Matic (SOLD) + 2004 S55 (SOLD) 2005 CLK 500 Cabriolet 2008 S 450
I just checked the ABC level and it was full with nice clean light green fluid as it should be.
Had the battery tested and it tested good.
Any other suggestions?
Had the battery tested and it tested good.
Any other suggestions?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
I agree with Trombone. I had a similar problem and all the fluids were good and the battery tested good. Out of curiosity my Indy and I decided to replace my battery with a new one he had in the shop and all my problems went away. Even though the battery tested good it seemed to have been the culprit. Hope your problem is something simple like that.
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