SL/R230: ABC - Visit Workshop message in sub zero temps ?.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 24
From: United Kingdom
AMG GLS63
ABC - Visit Workshop message in sub zero temps ?.
Hi all
As per the title my 2003 SL500 has displayed the ABC - Visit Workshop message twice over the past month or so. It happened both times after the car had been stood over night in sub zero temperatures.
The message as you can see is in the normal white letters rather than red, does this make a difference ?.
When the car has been running for a few minutes and warmed up a bit if i turn it of then back on again the message is gone. It also never happens when the weather is warmer.
I have noticed a bit of cracking to the gaitor around the strut on my drivers side front but 99 times ot of 100 the ABC works just fine.
Do i have anything to worry about ?.
Thanks
Carl
As per the title my 2003 SL500 has displayed the ABC - Visit Workshop message twice over the past month or so. It happened both times after the car had been stood over night in sub zero temperatures.
The message as you can see is in the normal white letters rather than red, does this make a difference ?.
When the car has been running for a few minutes and warmed up a bit if i turn it of then back on again the message is gone. It also never happens when the weather is warmer.
I have noticed a bit of cracking to the gaitor around the strut on my drivers side front but 99 times ot of 100 the ABC works just fine.
Do i have anything to worry about ?.
Thanks
Carl
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2003 SL500
I had a similar situation this past winter, took it in to the dealer. They said the ABC fluid was low, but no apparent leaks. They topped it up, and I have had no recurrence of the warning message. So chances are you're ok.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 24
From: United Kingdom
AMG GLS63
Hi
The dealer said that its because the ABS pump is starting to fail and the pressure build up isnt high enough hence the occasional light.
Is this right ?. It has only happened twice in 6 weeks of ownership and if its not sub zero outside it doesnt hapen at all ?. The dealer wants nearly £2000 ($3500) to sort the problem and i cant help think i am being ripped off ?.
Hope somebody can help ?.
Thanks
Carl
The dealer said that its because the ABS pump is starting to fail and the pressure build up isnt high enough hence the occasional light.
Is this right ?. It has only happened twice in 6 weeks of ownership and if its not sub zero outside it doesnt hapen at all ?. The dealer wants nearly £2000 ($3500) to sort the problem and i cant help think i am being ripped off ?.
Hope somebody can help ?.
Thanks
Carl
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 24
From: United Kingdom
AMG GLS63
Im not sure if he did the test or not to be honest. He did say that he didnt want to release the pressure in the system incase it caused more problems because i dont have a warranty to cover it right now.
I do hear a pump noise for a couple of seconds when i start up and switch off, could that be the ABC pump groaning ?.
The suspension seems to be working fine, it softens in C & stiffens in S then raises if requested to and it doesnt lean, sag or anything. I just had this message a couple of times when the temperatures are really low outside and the car has been parked over night.
Im going to look at the fluid today, the dealer said its fine but im guessing they would say that if they are trying to sting me for £££££.
Is there any tell tale sign of the pump not acting as it should ?.
Thanks
Carl
I do hear a pump noise for a couple of seconds when i start up and switch off, could that be the ABC pump groaning ?.
The suspension seems to be working fine, it softens in C & stiffens in S then raises if requested to and it doesnt lean, sag or anything. I just had this message a couple of times when the temperatures are really low outside and the car has been parked over night.
Im going to look at the fluid today, the dealer said its fine but im guessing they would say that if they are trying to sting me for £££££.
Is there any tell tale sign of the pump not acting as it should ?.
Thanks
Carl
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 24
From: United Kingdom
AMG GLS63
Ok, so i just checked the fluid and if i did it right the level is definatey low.
I hard the car running and on level ground, i removed the dipsick and cleaned it with a clean lint free cloth then re dipped the stick to check the level. When i brought it back out the fluid level on the dipstick was a clear 1/2" below the minimum marker. The marks in the dipstick were grooves, one on one side and one on another and they appeared to indicate a max / min level. My fluid level with the car running was not reaching the min mark.
If its low roughly how much do i need to top it up ?.
Did i check it correctly ?.
Thanks
Carl
I hard the car running and on level ground, i removed the dipsick and cleaned it with a clean lint free cloth then re dipped the stick to check the level. When i brought it back out the fluid level on the dipstick was a clear 1/2" below the minimum marker. The marks in the dipstick were grooves, one on one side and one on another and they appeared to indicate a max / min level. My fluid level with the car running was not reaching the min mark.
If its low roughly how much do i need to top it up ?.
Did i check it correctly ?.
Thanks
Carl
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 828
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA
SL 500
carl,
since you have a 2003 model, can u tell us from the service records, if the abc was flushed prior to your ownership. Usually one of the best ways to service abc is the perform flushes at 30,000 miles to make sure the fluid is clean. If the system hasn't been flushed the liquid will get contaminated and cause all sorts of issues down the line..
If the pump is going bad, then, i would recommend taking the car to a good Mercedes independent mechanic. Hopefully u can save money, but the costs for a new pump are pretty high.
good luck.
amer
since you have a 2003 model, can u tell us from the service records, if the abc was flushed prior to your ownership. Usually one of the best ways to service abc is the perform flushes at 30,000 miles to make sure the fluid is clean. If the system hasn't been flushed the liquid will get contaminated and cause all sorts of issues down the line..
If the pump is going bad, then, i would recommend taking the car to a good Mercedes independent mechanic. Hopefully u can save money, but the costs for a new pump are pretty high.
good luck.
amer
Ok, so i just checked the fluid and if i did it right the level is definatey low.
I hard the car running and on level ground, i removed the dipsick and cleaned it with a clean lint free cloth then re dipped the stick to check the level. When i brought it back out the fluid level on the dipstick was a clear 1/2" below the minimum marker. The marks in the dipstick were grooves, one on one side and one on another and they appeared to indicate a max / min level. My fluid level with the car running was not reaching the min mark.
If its low roughly how much do i need to top it up ?.
Did i check it correctly ?.
Thanks
Carl
I hard the car running and on level ground, i removed the dipsick and cleaned it with a clean lint free cloth then re dipped the stick to check the level. When i brought it back out the fluid level on the dipstick was a clear 1/2" below the minimum marker. The marks in the dipstick were grooves, one on one side and one on another and they appeared to indicate a max / min level. My fluid level with the car running was not reaching the min mark.
If its low roughly how much do i need to top it up ?.
Did i check it correctly ?.
Thanks
Carl
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 24
From: United Kingdom
AMG GLS63
Hi amer, i have only owned the SL for a couple of months so i dont have that level of detail yet. Here in the UK i have to have the registration documents in my name then write to MB UK who will then issue me the total history for the car. They tell me it has a very comprehensive service record but wont confirm anything verbally until i have that document which is due to be issued in 2-3 days from now.
If it hasnt been done it will be getting done in the coming weeks.
Do you know the correct check process for the ABC fluid ?. Is the way i did it ok ?.
Thanks
Carl
If it hasnt been done it will be getting done in the coming weeks.
Do you know the correct check process for the ABC fluid ?. Is the way i did it ok ?.
Thanks
Carl
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
SL55 AMG
I have just bought a SL55 last month and I am having similar problems.
It started off with the ABC visit workshop in the display which only seamed to come on in the morning when very cold temperatures, then last week ABC drive carefully was displayed in red and the suspension went extremely soft.
I took it to the dealers and they repaired a leak and topped up the fluid, but now the same problem has returned and the dealers say that the pump requires replacement.
It started off with the ABC visit workshop in the display which only seamed to come on in the morning when very cold temperatures, then last week ABC drive carefully was displayed in red and the suspension went extremely soft.
I took it to the dealers and they repaired a leak and topped up the fluid, but now the same problem has returned and the dealers say that the pump requires replacement.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 4
From: Orange County, CA
2003 SL500, 74 Harley FL, 08 Yukon Denali
I'm assuming that the all black reservoir just behind the ABC pump holds the ABC fluid?
I just had my car in and complained about a pumping noise at start up, but I just checked that fluid and it is definitely low. they ended up replacing a bushing, a lot of good that did me.
anyway, is that the correct reservoir to check?
I just had my car in and complained about a pumping noise at start up, but I just checked that fluid and it is definitely low. they ended up replacing a bushing, a lot of good that did me.
anyway, is that the correct reservoir to check?
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
SL55 AMG
I think there are two reservoirs, the one forward is for the ABC and the one behind it is for the power steering, and both go to a combined power steering/ABC pump driven by the engine......I am not 100% certain of this mind, I've only had the car a month and just had a quick look under the bonnet before taking it to the dealers. The hand books with the car don't seam to give any info, just tell you to take it to an aproved mercedes workshop!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 4
From: Orange County, CA
2003 SL500, 74 Harley FL, 08 Yukon Denali
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 4
From: Orange County, CA
2003 SL500, 74 Harley FL, 08 Yukon Denali
picked up a liter of the fluid today from the dealership and it was over a liter low. the power steering fluid was a little low, but nothing to worry about.
apparently fletcher jones didn't bother to check that when i was in two weeks ago and listed 'some sort of dry pump sound at start up' that i was concerned about.
i've restarted it a few times since and that noise is no longer occurring. i'll try it a few more times once it's cold, but either way, running the ABC dry is a pretty expensive and easily preventable situation.
now that i'm out of warranty i'll be taking it to an indy down the street, if i keep it that long. maybe i'll have a chance to review their work when i pick up my car instead of being walked directly to the cashier and then pointed to the valet to pick up my car that is already running and aimed down the driveway for my immediate departure- haha
apparently fletcher jones didn't bother to check that when i was in two weeks ago and listed 'some sort of dry pump sound at start up' that i was concerned about.
i've restarted it a few times since and that noise is no longer occurring. i'll try it a few more times once it's cold, but either way, running the ABC dry is a pretty expensive and easily preventable situation.
now that i'm out of warranty i'll be taking it to an indy down the street, if i keep it that long. maybe i'll have a chance to review their work when i pick up my car instead of being walked directly to the cashier and then pointed to the valet to pick up my car that is already running and aimed down the driveway for my immediate departure- haha
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Vilnius, Lithuania.
Mercedes-Benz SL 500
Please, could take a picture where this ABC fluid goes?
I think I need to full it up too... Because I get my message after really hard curves, but in white color.
After ignition off, everything works fine again.
I think I need to full it up too... Because I get my message after really hard curves, but in white color.
After ignition off, everything works fine again.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 4
From: Orange County, CA
2003 SL500, 74 Harley FL, 08 Yukon Denali
sorry for the delay.
attached the image. the top of the dipstick is rubber and didn't initially strike me as something that would be the top of the dipstick, but give it a little squeeze & pull and there you go.
attached the image. the top of the dipstick is rubber and didn't initially strike me as something that would be the top of the dipstick, but give it a little squeeze & pull and there you go.
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City
2003 SL500, 2005 CLK55
Abc message
I am having the same message when it's really cold. I replaced my abc less than 2 years ago too. When the abc message is up and I drive it, it swerves to the right a bit. After I drive it for a couple of minutes and I turn off the car and turn it back on, the abc message goes away and the car drives fine. I'm wondering if I have the same problem.
