ABC Error Message on dash
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2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
ABC Error Message on dash
Saw the error message today that has a symbol looking like a strut with words beneath saying not to drive more than 50 mph. Has anyone seen this before with ABC?
The car drove quite normally though I was careful not to make any wild manaeuvers or sudden turns. The description in the owner's manual seems to be warning against the suspension dropping and potential 'scraping' or damage to the steering system. These symptoms sound like a ride height change which I did not see any indications of when I stopped for gas and later when I pulled into the garage at home.
The car drove quite normally though I was careful not to make any wild manaeuvers or sudden turns. The description in the owner's manual seems to be warning against the suspension dropping and potential 'scraping' or damage to the steering system. These symptoms sound like a ride height change which I did not see any indications of when I stopped for gas and later when I pulled into the garage at home.
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From: Alien Town Roswell NM
2014 S550
Did you take a quick/hard turn before the message appeared? My daily commute has a sweeping turn that I usually take at 30 to 32mph. One time I tried taking it at 37mph and when I stopped the car a couple minutes later, the message appeared.
At lunch time, the message was gone. I know that I over did it and pushed it a bit too hard. Haven't done it since and no error message since.
At lunch time, the message was gone. I know that I over did it and pushed it a bit too hard. Haven't done it since and no error message since.
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
Was the error white or red?
Often times the first warning is due to failing accumulators. Check that you don’t have any leaks anywhere and then scan the car if you can. Driving with a failed accumulator means that the fluid shock could be absorbed into a line and then the line will blow. You could also send rubber from the accumulator diaphragm through the lines if it fails enough. Better to get this looked at and fixed before doing any more driving.. with the right tools the system is easy enough to fix pretty quickly.
Often times the first warning is due to failing accumulators. Check that you don’t have any leaks anywhere and then scan the car if you can. Driving with a failed accumulator means that the fluid shock could be absorbed into a line and then the line will blow. You could also send rubber from the accumulator diaphragm through the lines if it fails enough. Better to get this looked at and fixed before doing any more driving.. with the right tools the system is easy enough to fix pretty quickly.
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2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
Thanks, very insightful replies. Learning this system is an interesting challenge. My dash message was in red and I haven't driven the car again since I got home.
I think I saw that the front wheels are handled by the same accumulator. If this is true, it corresponds to an interesting inconsistency I've noticed ... mostly, the front wheels glide serenely over rough pavement but at times, the front end gets shaky and even jolts a little over bumpy surfaces. It's like the system loses pressure, then it builds back up and the ride improves. The rear wheels ride beautifully all the time and I never notice anything in back.
I do have some oily residue at the bottom of the left front strut, so there is seepage there but not enough to drip and leave a mark on the garage floor. I'm at 36k miles and some posts on here suggest that's a typical interval for strut replacement.
I think I saw that the front wheels are handled by the same accumulator. If this is true, it corresponds to an interesting inconsistency I've noticed ... mostly, the front wheels glide serenely over rough pavement but at times, the front end gets shaky and even jolts a little over bumpy surfaces. It's like the system loses pressure, then it builds back up and the ride improves. The rear wheels ride beautifully all the time and I never notice anything in back.
I do have some oily residue at the bottom of the left front strut, so there is seepage there but not enough to drip and leave a mark on the garage floor. I'm at 36k miles and some posts on here suggest that's a typical interval for strut replacement.
Last edited by Tom in Austin; May 20, 2025 at 09:59 PM.
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Thanks, very insightful replies. Learning this system is an interesting challenge. My dash message was in red and I haven't driven the car again since I got home.
I think I saw that the front wheels are handled by the same accumulator. If this is true, it corresponds to an interesting inconsistency I've noticed ... mostly, the front wheels glide serenely over rough pavement but at times, the front end gets shaky and even jolts a little over bumpy surfaces. It's like the system loses pressure, then it builds back up and the ride improves. The rear wheels ride beautifully all the time and I never notice anything in back.
I do have some oily residue at the bottom of the left front strut, so there is seepage there but not enough to drip and leave a mark on the garage floor. I'm at 36k miles and some posts on here suggest that's a typical interval for strut replacement.
I think I saw that the front wheels are handled by the same accumulator. If this is true, it corresponds to an interesting inconsistency I've noticed ... mostly, the front wheels glide serenely over rough pavement but at times, the front end gets shaky and even jolts a little over bumpy surfaces. It's like the system loses pressure, then it builds back up and the ride improves. The rear wheels ride beautifully all the time and I never notice anything in back.
I do have some oily residue at the bottom of the left front strut, so there is seepage there but not enough to drip and leave a mark on the garage floor. I'm at 36k miles and some posts on here suggest that's a typical interval for strut replacement.
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
Thanks, very insightful replies. Learning this system is an interesting challenge. My dash message was in red and I haven't driven the car again since I got home.
I think I saw that the front wheels are handled by the same accumulator. If this is true, it corresponds to an interesting inconsistency I've noticed ... mostly, the front wheels glide serenely over rough pavement but at times, the front end gets shaky and even jolts a little over bumpy surfaces. It's like the system loses pressure, then it builds back up and the ride improves. The rear wheels ride beautifully all the time and I never notice anything in back.
I do have some oily residue at the bottom of the left front strut, so there is seepage there but not enough to drip and leave a mark on the garage floor. I'm at 36k miles and some posts on here suggest that's a typical interval for strut replacement.
I think I saw that the front wheels are handled by the same accumulator. If this is true, it corresponds to an interesting inconsistency I've noticed ... mostly, the front wheels glide serenely over rough pavement but at times, the front end gets shaky and even jolts a little over bumpy surfaces. It's like the system loses pressure, then it builds back up and the ride improves. The rear wheels ride beautifully all the time and I never notice anything in back.
I do have some oily residue at the bottom of the left front strut, so there is seepage there but not enough to drip and leave a mark on the garage floor. I'm at 36k miles and some posts on here suggest that's a typical interval for strut replacement.
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S550 V8, CL600 V12, SLK32 AMG
The hoses and parts are assembled on the car and then subframe and other parts are put on. The system runs at 3000 psi so when things go, they often go catastrophically.
Last edited by waterzap99; May 22, 2025 at 04:16 PM.
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
since the message wasn’t read, this is usually indicative of low fluid, loss of pressure in the pump. As mentioned this could be due to a leak, or the accumulators. The wetness of the shock could be due to failed accumulators since they are now taking more fluid shock. Similar to any hydraulic system, the “Rams “leak when they are under too much static pressure.
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2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
Just got the results of scan on the ABC error message ... bad right rear height sensor. Dealer looked at everything and that's only problem they noted with the system.
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2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
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2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
I found the most oil in cylinders 2 and 6, the others were mostly or totally dry. After cleaning up the bores and plug boots and installing new plugs, the car now runs perfectly. The question is how long until the problem comes back? Luckily, 2 and 6 are on the front coils which are the easiest to pull and check, but I am hoping I don't have to pull them for a while.
The whole thing is puzzling; no one locally knows a way to measure crankcase pressure to determine how much there is. I'm thinking of changing out the separators but if the gaskets are already breached would that really make any difference? Going the whole nine yards and changing the separators and gaskets is not realistic, I'd just trade the car and cut my losses before investing that much more into it.
It feels like Mercedes did a poor design for managing crankcase pressure and there will be more cars where people change their plugs (or have a misfire) and discover the problem. I saw a low-miles 2019 in Beaumont the other day whose Carfax service history showed plugs replaced at like 23k miles. Who would change their plugs that early?
The whole thing is puzzling; no one locally knows a way to measure crankcase pressure to determine how much there is. I'm thinking of changing out the separators but if the gaskets are already breached would that really make any difference? Going the whole nine yards and changing the separators and gaskets is not realistic, I'd just trade the car and cut my losses before investing that much more into it.
It feels like Mercedes did a poor design for managing crankcase pressure and there will be more cars where people change their plugs (or have a misfire) and discover the problem. I saw a low-miles 2019 in Beaumont the other day whose Carfax service history showed plugs replaced at like 23k miles. Who would change their plugs that early?
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
220 chassis cars noted for many and various ABC issues.... First effort at it. 221 cars much improved. Hoses don’t fail. Different design for many components. Easier (less painful) to service when needed. 222 cars as much improved again.
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222 S-65
Better to keep one’s mouth shut on subjects you may not be familiar with and be thought an idiot than speak up and remove all doubt.
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
