[SOLVED] ABC Malfunction
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 57
Likes: 10
From: Zurich
S500 4M L
[SOLVED] ABC Malfunction
Yesterday on rainy evening messages "ABC Malfunction" appeared on dash and right rear corner want down.. grrrr..
First idea - right rear shock absorber gone..
I stopped car immediately, then restarted engine - message disappear, but rear right still was down. I checked ABC fluid (on running engine) and level was normal - that was good - no oil blown from system. Visually checked that tyre is almost hidden in the wheel housing . Very slowly (10-20 kmph) went back to home.
Diagnosis was quick - if there was no leak, then must be electrical problem.
Level of each strut is set by sensor - I removed rear right wheel and found broken arm of leveling sensor. Next chessy part in MB - made from plastic and tin alu tube like antenna mast. I remember that Lexus had something like turnbuckle.
Today I went to few shops ordered required parts and my eSSa again is leveled properly.
Below there are pictures of my repair. Cost - around 15 EUR, time max 3hrs.
I ordered materials to made turnbuckles for rest of sensors - don't want to stay 1000km from home by some cheap plastic.
Error on dash:
Read wheel:
Right side down:
This is a reason:
Cheep s..t
Workaround to allow car be ready to go for parts:
Leveling with workaround:
My patent:
On right place:
Car back to live:
First idea - right rear shock absorber gone..
I stopped car immediately, then restarted engine - message disappear, but rear right still was down. I checked ABC fluid (on running engine) and level was normal - that was good - no oil blown from system. Visually checked that tyre is almost hidden in the wheel housing . Very slowly (10-20 kmph) went back to home.
Diagnosis was quick - if there was no leak, then must be electrical problem.
Level of each strut is set by sensor - I removed rear right wheel and found broken arm of leveling sensor. Next chessy part in MB - made from plastic and tin alu tube like antenna mast. I remember that Lexus had something like turnbuckle.
Today I went to few shops ordered required parts and my eSSa again is leveled properly.
Below there are pictures of my repair. Cost - around 15 EUR, time max 3hrs.
I ordered materials to made turnbuckles for rest of sensors - don't want to stay 1000km from home by some cheap plastic.
Error on dash:
Read wheel:
Right side down:
This is a reason:
Cheep s..t
Workaround to allow car be ready to go for parts:
Leveling with workaround:
My patent:
On right place:
Car back to live:
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,011
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
There are adjustable links out there used for lowering, which are essentially what you came up with. Good for you for fixing it though, a lot of people with these cars seem to skip the simple steps and wait until something breaks, then take a huge hit from a shop.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 343
From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
I don't think this is uncommon.
The joints at the end of the levers are prone to seizing, and that means something else has to give way. The consequences are serious, so it's worth doing an annual inspection of the links and joints.
Nick
The joints at the end of the levers are prone to seizing, and that means something else has to give way. The consequences are serious, so it's worth doing an annual inspection of the links and joints.
Nick
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,011
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Yeah those plastic ball joints fall apart just fall off the arm usually. They are so cheap to replace, it could almost be a maintenance item every 5 years or so, but a quick visual check will let you know if they're cracking and need to go before they pop.
