2003 s55 abc problems
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: palm beach,fl
03 s55
2003 s55 abc problems
my s55 has 59k miles and the red abc light randomly comes on from time to time. I do not feel any difference in the ride. Can anyone offer me some advice please?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
2005 S55, 2002 E430, 2007 CLK350, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
I would check that fluid level, if it is low it may be giving intermittent warnings...check the fluid color while you are at it...should be a clear green color...not brown or black.
If it gets too low you will kill the pump almost immediately...from what I have read. Then get ready for $$$$$
Mike
If it gets too low you will kill the pump almost immediately...from what I have read. Then get ready for $$$$$
Mike
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 163
Likes: 2
From: Chico, CA
S55K AMG
My pump went bad about 3 months ago. About $2k for labor and new pump. It could be a few things going on there, but I would recommend taking it to someone that has access to MB Star as this will tell you exactly what the problem is. 1 of 4 likely issues:
(1) Stuck Valve
(2) Bad Block
(3) Bad Pump
(4) Failing Strut(s)
A stuck valve would be the best case scenerio as this can sometimes be remedied with a Rodeo flush. The other issues are going to cost you well beyond $1k, if you have bad struts, you are looking at about $1400 a strut plus labor, a block will cost about $1300 plus labor, and the pump is at least $1400 plus lots of labor.
(1) Stuck Valve
(2) Bad Block
(3) Bad Pump
(4) Failing Strut(s)
A stuck valve would be the best case scenerio as this can sometimes be remedied with a Rodeo flush. The other issues are going to cost you well beyond $1k, if you have bad struts, you are looking at about $1400 a strut plus labor, a block will cost about $1300 plus labor, and the pump is at least $1400 plus lots of labor.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
2005 S55, 2002 E430, 2007 CLK350, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
My pump went bad about 3 months ago. About $2k for labor and new pump. It could be a few things going on there, but I would recommend taking it to someone that has access to MB Star as this will tell you exactly what the problem is. 1 of 4 likely issues:
(1) Stuck Valve
(2) Bad Block
(3) Bad Pump
(4) Failing Strut(s)
A stuck valve would be the best case scenerio as this can sometimes be remedied with a Rodeo flush. The other issues are going to cost you well beyond $1k, if you have bad struts, you are looking at about $1400 a strut plus labor, a block will cost about $1300 plus labor, and the pump is at least $1400 plus lots of labor.
(1) Stuck Valve
(2) Bad Block
(3) Bad Pump
(4) Failing Strut(s)
A stuck valve would be the best case scenerio as this can sometimes be remedied with a Rodeo flush. The other issues are going to cost you well beyond $1k, if you have bad struts, you are looking at about $1400 a strut plus labor, a block will cost about $1300 plus labor, and the pump is at least $1400 plus lots of labor.
Jeez, i dont think I read a bit of good news there...ouch! Hopefully
a fluid flush will sove the issue.
Mike
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 163
Likes: 2
From: Chico, CA
S55K AMG
Unfortunately, ABC and Red Warning usually is the pump going bad. I would love to say there is something to be optimistic, but if it is a stuck valve, it is more of an issue of the car sinking to one side shortly after the car has been shut off, not nesscarily a Red Warning Light.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 579
Likes: 37
Unfortunately, ABC and Red Warning usually is the pump going bad. I would love to say there is something to be optimistic, but if it is a stuck valve, it is more of an issue of the car sinking to one side shortly after the car has been shut off, not nesscarily a Red Warning Light.
I would certainly check the pentocin level first but if the pump has already ingested air and lost pressure even briefly the pump is most likely dieing.
Good luck. Johan
Last edited by DRTYLNDY; Jan 7, 2012 at 08:09 AM.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: palm beach,fl
03 s55
Unfortunately, ABC and Red Warning usually is the pump going bad. I would love to say there is something to be optimistic, but if it is a stuck valve, it is more of an issue of the car sinking to one side shortly after the car has been shut off, not nesscarily a Red Warning Light.
thats whats confusing me bacause the car still goes up and down like normal and even my abc button operates properly. is there a way to flush out the fluid, sorry but i am a rookie
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Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 163
Likes: 2
From: Chico, CA
S55K AMG
You ll want to take it to a shop that has mb star. They will be able to diagnose it. Mine was all good and just failed one day, went from having pressure to nothing. A rodeo will flush the system, which is usually benefical when there is debris stuck in the valvebody. This usually does not cause a red warning. The red warning is usually a precursor to a failing pump.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: rho
03 sl500
abc problem
Does anyone know if Mercedes has recall on abc I'm having abc problems with only 55000 mile every one having same problem also I found pump on e bay it said it fit 03 sl 500 for like 650 rebuilt tandom pump not sure if its the wright one ...save some cash if it the same one .one year warranty to anyway my car does not sink just the ride is spongy i and some times the light is not red and and it not spongy.??????? Mercedes should back this up !!!!!
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Northern Ca
2004 SL500, 2003 S55, 2002 S430 RIP, 1999 ML430, 1999 SLK Sports 230 Compressor "Sold"
Does anyone know if Mercedes has recall on abc I'm having abc problems with only 55000 mile every one having same problem also I found pump on e bay it said it fit 03 sl 500 for like 650 rebuilt tandom pump not sure if its the wright one ...save some cash if it the same one .one year warranty to anyway my car does not sink just the ride is spongy i and some times the light is not red and and it not spongy.??????? Mercedes should back this up !!!!!
I will be taking my S55 in to have the abc flush done too and hope they tell me the same thing.
I would go to a dealer with my VIN# and don't tell them first that you think the abc pump is failing. I would ask about scheduling a "rodeo" and see if they can pull information regarding your car. My s55 is an '03 with 64K miles
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8
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From: palm beach,fl
03 s55
please let me know if they honor warrenty on your s55
I have an 2003 S55. A mercedes dealer just open its doors here in N. Cali where I lived. I bought my 2004 SL500 with 63K to schedule a rodeo and transmission flush. As the service advisor checked the records he stated that the ABC Pump was under warranty until 2/2012 and no mileage limits. I asked if it was a recall or something and never had the original abc pump replaced, he said no.
I will be taking my S55 in to have the abc flush done too and hope they tell me the same thing.
I would go to a dealer with my VIN# and don't tell them first that you think the abc pump is failing. I would ask about scheduling a "rodeo" and see if they can pull information regarding your car. My s55 is an '03 with 64K miles
I will be taking my S55 in to have the abc flush done too and hope they tell me the same thing.
I would go to a dealer with my VIN# and don't tell them first that you think the abc pump is failing. I would ask about scheduling a "rodeo" and see if they can pull information regarding your car. My s55 is an '03 with 64K miles
Newbie
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9
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From: Upstate, NY
03 S55 AMG, 01 740i (T-boned), 97 Saab 9000 CSE daily driver
ABC
I have an 03 S55 w/105k on it that i've had for about a month now. All of a sudden yesterday, w/90 degree weather and my car sitting from 8a-4p, my red ABC light came on but it didn't seem to lower. Any reason why!?? I rushed it to my mechanic and he's looking into it. Said MB told him to check the filter then the pump pressure.
Any reason why!?? I rushed it to my mechanic and he's looking into it. Said MB told him to check the filter then the pump pressure.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
2004 SL500 2001 S430 2006 C230 1995 C280 1988 SL560
SL500 2004
I unpluged the batery to reset and then stated the car without the trunk batery red ABC light came on then 2 hours later in the garage there is black oil under the car
?
?
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
The first thing I would check is the pump fluid levels. There are 2 reservoirs, 1 for the ABC Pump( larger of the 2) and the second for the power steering. The reservoirs are located at the front left side (driver's side) of the engine.
The red light is activated for 1 of 2 potential problems. Problem 1 is the pump is no longer capable of creating sufficient pressure and the second is the electrical sensor on the pump has become defective. You need a star system to determine which is which.
In any event a new pump is required. I'm told the electrical sensor is not available other than as part of a pump.
I just had my 3rd pump installed over the last month. The 3rd pump was brand new, the others were rebuilt. I learned the hard way that because of the extensive labor involved it doesn't pay to buy a rebuilt/remanufactured pump. While the rebuilt may be warranted the warranty doesn't cover labor.
In any event you need a Star diagnosis before you can perform any repair.
The red light is activated for 1 of 2 potential problems. Problem 1 is the pump is no longer capable of creating sufficient pressure and the second is the electrical sensor on the pump has become defective. You need a star system to determine which is which.
In any event a new pump is required. I'm told the electrical sensor is not available other than as part of a pump.
I just had my 3rd pump installed over the last month. The 3rd pump was brand new, the others were rebuilt. I learned the hard way that because of the extensive labor involved it doesn't pay to buy a rebuilt/remanufactured pump. While the rebuilt may be warranted the warranty doesn't cover labor.
In any event you need a Star diagnosis before you can perform any repair.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Your pump might not be bad at all, if there is not enough hydraulic fluid in the reservoir, then you will get the red ABC warning.
You need 4 litres of fluid for ABC to operate, if the fluid is black, flush the system twice and rodeo the system.
Hope you get it sorted man
You need 4 litres of fluid for ABC to operate, if the fluid is black, flush the system twice and rodeo the system.
Hope you get it sorted man
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
2004 SL500 2001 S430 2006 C230 1995 C280 1988 SL560
I am going to get it towed to the mechanic because all the oil droping in 10 minutes must been some hose busted i have not pinpointed it yet it is not from the strut any body have a diagram for the system on ABC?
