ABC pulsation dampener questions…
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 485
Likes: 74
From: Marina Del Rey, CA
2015 MBZ S 550
ABC pulsation dampener questions…
Hi all,
I took my 2015 550 with 35,xxx miles into the dealership for servicing and to see if they could figure out an intermittent whining-grinding noise coming from the drivers side front of the car. They diagnosed it as the pulsation dampener for the ABC system needs to be replaced at a cost of $725. I have a few questions:
1.) what is this part and what does it do?
2) Since it’s intermittent and does not appear to affect the car in any way ( save for an annoying noise on occasion), does this need to be replaced?
’
3.) if it does not get replaced, will it do any damage to the vehicle?
4.) Is $725, a fair price?
A few things, I drive this car maybe 2,000 miles a year, if that. Since it has such low miles and has been relatively trouble free, I am probably going to keep it for a few more years.
As always, thank you all in advance!
Steve
I took my 2015 550 with 35,xxx miles into the dealership for servicing and to see if they could figure out an intermittent whining-grinding noise coming from the drivers side front of the car. They diagnosed it as the pulsation dampener for the ABC system needs to be replaced at a cost of $725. I have a few questions:
1.) what is this part and what does it do?
2) Since it’s intermittent and does not appear to affect the car in any way ( save for an annoying noise on occasion), does this need to be replaced?
’
3.) if it does not get replaced, will it do any damage to the vehicle?
4.) Is $725, a fair price?
A few things, I drive this car maybe 2,000 miles a year, if that. Since it has such low miles and has been relatively trouble free, I am probably going to keep it for a few more years.
As always, thank you all in advance!
Steve
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 596
From: Florida
18 AMG GTC and 22 F150 Limited. Past owner 16 Maybach, 17 Brabus Smartcar, 06 Ford E150, and 22 G70
What you are describing is the problem I had with my 16 Maybach. The intermittent grinding noise that got worse over time. For me it turned out to be the ABC pump. The repair was about 3000 dollars.
PS everything worked perfectly on my car it simply had that grinding noise that slowly over time got worse.
PS everything worked perfectly on my car it simply had that grinding noise that slowly over time got worse.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 522
2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
I'm still deeply confused about what "ABC" means exactly. I think it just refers to the standard Airmatic air suspension system that provides springing and raises and lowers the car's ride height. So ABC pumps, tubing, dampeners, etc. would be related to providing/delivering air to the four strut units.
I think what confuses me is people who say "Magic Body Control (MBC) is just ABC with additional software". I don't see how this could be true because MBC dynamically alters the suspension in response to road conditions using high-pressure hydraulic fluid. If I am correct, a system of hydraulic pumps and valves needed for MBC would be separate from air pumps and valves for ABC, making them two entirely different things. I know on my car, there is no evidence of any hydraulic hoses/connections to the struts. I also see when looking up suspension parts there are separate numbers for ABC and MBC cars.
If someone could clarify this, I'd really appreciate it.
I think what confuses me is people who say "Magic Body Control (MBC) is just ABC with additional software". I don't see how this could be true because MBC dynamically alters the suspension in response to road conditions using high-pressure hydraulic fluid. If I am correct, a system of hydraulic pumps and valves needed for MBC would be separate from air pumps and valves for ABC, making them two entirely different things. I know on my car, there is no evidence of any hydraulic hoses/connections to the struts. I also see when looking up suspension parts there are separate numbers for ABC and MBC cars.
If someone could clarify this, I'd really appreciate it.
Last edited by Tom in Austin; Jul 15, 2021 at 07:47 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 485
Likes: 74
From: Marina Del Rey, CA
2015 MBZ S 550
I'm still deeply confused about what "ABC" means exactly. I think it just refers to the standard Airmatic air suspension system that provides springing and raises and lowers the car's ride height. So ABC pumps, tubing, dampeners, etc. would be related to providing/delivering air to the four strut units.
I think what confuses me is people who say "Magic Body Control (MBC) is just ABC with additional software". I don't see how this could be true because MBC dynamically alters the suspension in response to road conditions using high-pressure hydraulic fluid. If I am correct, a system of hydraulic pumps and valves needed for MBC would be separate from air pumps and valves for ABC, making them two entirely different things. I know on my car, there is no evidence of any hydraulic hoses/connections to the struts. I also see when looking up suspension parts there are separate numbers for ABC and MBC cars.
If someone could clarify this, I'd really appreciate it.
I think what confuses me is people who say "Magic Body Control (MBC) is just ABC with additional software". I don't see how this could be true because MBC dynamically alters the suspension in response to road conditions using high-pressure hydraulic fluid. If I am correct, a system of hydraulic pumps and valves needed for MBC would be separate from air pumps and valves for ABC, making them two entirely different things. I know on my car, there is no evidence of any hydraulic hoses/connections to the struts. I also see when looking up suspension parts there are separate numbers for ABC and MBC cars.
If someone could clarify this, I'd really appreciate it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Body_Control
In the end, the car dealership somehow got it covered under warranty, so that really made my day!!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 522
2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
Thanks for the Wiki link ... "Active Body Control, or ABC, is the Mercedes-Benz brand name used to describe hydraulic fully active suspension"
So ABC is a hydraulic system different from the standard non-hydraulic, non-active, Airmatic configuration. I just checked my car in the VIN decoder and it does not have an ABC code shown, and as mentioned in my previous post, I have not seen anything that looks like a hydraulic hose around the suspension. That said, like all W222s, it does have a "Sport/Comfort" button on the console, so this feature is apparently possible without an hydraulic, active suspension system.
So ABC is a hydraulic system different from the standard non-hydraulic, non-active, Airmatic configuration. I just checked my car in the VIN decoder and it does not have an ABC code shown, and as mentioned in my previous post, I have not seen anything that looks like a hydraulic hose around the suspension. That said, like all W222s, it does have a "Sport/Comfort" button on the console, so this feature is apparently possible without an hydraulic, active suspension system.
Last edited by Tom in Austin; Jul 15, 2021 at 08:17 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 1,208
From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
This depends on year and model (e,s,amg) so you will want to research the terms based on those parameters.
Mercedes has had hydraulic and air based adjustable suspensions for decades, many decades. The features of which vary between height adjustment to predetermination of a condition based on cameras, gps and memory.
The systems are pretty awesome and not hard to upkeep if you do the work yourself. Ive world onthe Mercedes and Lexus based systems as a diy person.
Mercedes has had hydraulic and air based adjustable suspensions for decades, many decades. The features of which vary between height adjustment to predetermination of a condition based on cameras, gps and memory.
The systems are pretty awesome and not hard to upkeep if you do the work yourself. Ive world onthe Mercedes and Lexus based systems as a diy person.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,143
Likes: 4,364
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
ABC or Active Body Control, was last used in an S Class, in the 2013 W221 models. Starting with the 2014 W222 S Class cars, a camera system was added to the ABC system and the option was called MBC or Magic Body Control. This option was available in the W222 for MY 2014 through 2020.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 810
Likes: 182
From: Laguna Niguel
'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
It is as Streamliner says with an additional caveat. Only rear wheel drive cars can have MBC. All wheel drive cars, such as the W222 S63 can only have Airmatic.
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
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 267
Likes: 65
From: Hampshire , UK
2015 S500, 2016 GL63 AMG
I had the pulsation damper replaced under the used Mercedes warranty on my 2015 model s500. I think they said it would have been a little under £500 here if I was to have to pay for it.
My friend had his done on a 2007 cl600 which was how we figured what the occasional noise was, my car had covered maybe 45000 miles at the time.
On a separate point my car also has the very rare ( over here ) magic body control as well.
My friend had his done on a 2007 cl600 which was how we figured what the occasional noise was, my car had covered maybe 45000 miles at the time.
On a separate point my car also has the very rare ( over here ) magic body control as well.
