SL/R230: ABC Malfunction -pls help
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 115
Likes: 9
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550
ABC Malfunction -pls help
Hi all,
While driving back home from work, the ABC malfunction light came up (white color). As a brand new owner of a 2009 model, I of course freaked out when I started reading online and on the forums that ABC problems can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000.
I went back to my home parking spot and saw no leaks. Also, when I turned the engine back on, the error was gone. I put the car in drive (without driving) and still no error. I then pressed on the button that lifts the car up and down and everything seemed to work fine, the car lifted and lowered a few times with no weird noises and no leaks. Another thing I wanted to mention is that occasionally this past week when I went on speed bumps the orange triangle would come up for a few milliseconds not even long enough for me to see which sign it was.
I took the car to my mechanic who ran a diagnostic 2 days ago and no error came up. The diagnostic was done before the error came up today.
What do you advice me to do? What do you think this could be?
Thank you.
While driving back home from work, the ABC malfunction light came up (white color). As a brand new owner of a 2009 model, I of course freaked out when I started reading online and on the forums that ABC problems can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000.
I went back to my home parking spot and saw no leaks. Also, when I turned the engine back on, the error was gone. I put the car in drive (without driving) and still no error. I then pressed on the button that lifts the car up and down and everything seemed to work fine, the car lifted and lowered a few times with no weird noises and no leaks. Another thing I wanted to mention is that occasionally this past week when I went on speed bumps the orange triangle would come up for a few milliseconds not even long enough for me to see which sign it was.
I took the car to my mechanic who ran a diagnostic 2 days ago and no error came up. The diagnostic was done before the error came up today.
What do you advice me to do? What do you think this could be?
Thank you.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 347
Likes: 86
2005 SL65 AMG
you either need to find a mechanic with a star diagnostic tool or you need to buy your own.
If you are unwilling or unable to do either of these things, your only option will be to start blindly replacing parts and pray the issue is fixed. Which is totally stupid, but the choice is yours.
ps, it’s probably just an accumulator.
If you are unwilling or unable to do either of these things, your only option will be to start blindly replacing parts and pray the issue is fixed. Which is totally stupid, but the choice is yours.
ps, it’s probably just an accumulator.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 115
Likes: 9
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550
you either need to find a mechanic with a star diagnostic tool or you need to buy your own.
If you are unwilling or unable to do either of these things, your only option will be to start blindly replacing parts and pray the issue is fixed. Which is totally stupid, but the choice is yours.
ps, it’s probably just an accumulator.
If you are unwilling or unable to do either of these things, your only option will be to start blindly replacing parts and pray the issue is fixed. Which is totally stupid, but the choice is yours.
ps, it’s probably just an accumulator.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 390
Likes: 115
From: Seattle, WA
SL500 & GL450
Good chance that it'll be a need to replace one of your accumulators, or the pulsation dampner. All 3 are about $400 in parts and it's a good idea to just go ahead and replace all 3 together since they have about the same service life.The fact that you are not losing any fluid is a welcomed
event.
event.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
As two members have already mentioned, your problem is certainly an accumulator. It isn't a serious problem at all, and that is why the message you saw is in white and also why no faults were stored in the ABC controller memory.
An accumulator costs c. $130 online. I'll guess it takes 90 minutes to replace one, though I'm certain someone has completed the task much faster than that.
Finally, unless your mechanic runs diagnostic scans for free, consider buying something to do that yourself. For $130 you can have a hand-held Foxwell NT510 Elite, or for around $250 you could have Mercedes' proprietary Star Diagnosis System used by its dealer techs.
An accumulator costs c. $130 online. I'll guess it takes 90 minutes to replace one, though I'm certain someone has completed the task much faster than that.
Finally, unless your mechanic runs diagnostic scans for free, consider buying something to do that yourself. For $130 you can have a hand-held Foxwell NT510 Elite, or for around $250 you could have Mercedes' proprietary Star Diagnosis System used by its dealer techs.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 115
Likes: 9
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550
So I checked my fluid levels and they were very low.
I took the car to a mechanic this morning and they ran a diagnostic. There was only a low pressure warning which disappeared on it's own when he filled up the fluids (it needed a whole tin). So hopefully that is all that was needed. I was told I can drive the car as there were no errors that were coming up.
On Monday I am taking the car to a certified Benz mechanic and have them run the test again just to be safe.
And for other members who are looking I found the below blog which is very comprehensive on ABC issues:
http://mercedes-abc-drive-carefully....rt-of.html?m=1
I took the car to a mechanic this morning and they ran a diagnostic. There was only a low pressure warning which disappeared on it's own when he filled up the fluids (it needed a whole tin). So hopefully that is all that was needed. I was told I can drive the car as there were no errors that were coming up.
On Monday I am taking the car to a certified Benz mechanic and have them run the test again just to be safe.
And for other members who are looking I found the below blog which is very comprehensive on ABC issues:
http://mercedes-abc-drive-carefully....rt-of.html?m=1
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 347
Likes: 86
2005 SL65 AMG
I would be very worried that either
1) your mechanic did not know how to properly check the fluid level and the system is now overfilled
2) You have a leak, which could be a hose about to explode while driving or a failing strut.
I’m also amazed (and somewhat doubtful) your mechanic had the correct fluid on hand.
1) your mechanic did not know how to properly check the fluid level and the system is now overfilled
2) You have a leak, which could be a hose about to explode while driving or a failing strut.
I’m also amazed (and somewhat doubtful) your mechanic had the correct fluid on hand.
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Current: '07 SL550 & '14 GLK350. Previously owned: '06 ML350, '05 SL500, '99 ML320 & '98 SLK230 (RI
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 115
Likes: 9
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550
Having said that, when I went to drive the car in the evening I got an Battery/Alternator Stop car warning! I am thinking that maybe something went loose when he did the rodeo test.
I have an appointment with the certified Mercedes mechanic tomorrow morning. Do you think it's safe for me to drive to them or should I have it towed (assuming the car can start)? I read that the breaks might not work with that warning.
I also wanted to take the opportunity to thank all the members for their advise. I'm new here having just gotten the car and I've posted a few times already. I really appreciate the insights and feeling welcomed. It's a bit daunting driving a new car for a few days and to keep getting hit by all these error messages.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
If you needed fluid added, then you have a leak. The ABC system does not "consume" fluid. A very common problem on the MY2007+ ABC system is that the main pressure hose ll leak. It happens in the rubber hose section where it sits against the radiator, in front of the ABC/PS pump.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 62
Likes: 5
SL 500 r230
When the accumulators fail, they fill up with hydraulic fluid, replacing the gas that is normally in them. So the "missing" fluid would also be a pointer to dead accumulators. As long as there is no puddle unter the car.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 448
Likes: 48
From: Europe, but from Norway
89 SL500 Silver ,97 SL500 Carlsson 04 Mercedes SL55 AMG , 07 Mercedes SL55 AMG convertedBlack series
So I checked my fluid levels and they were very low.
I took the car to a mechanic this morning and they ran a diagnostic. There was only a low pressure warning which disappeared on it's own when he filled up the fluids (it needed a whole tin). So hopefully that is all that was needed. I was told I can drive the car as there were no errors that were coming up.
On Monday I am taking the car to a certified Benz mechanic and have them run the test again just to be safe.
And for other members who are looking I found the below blog which is very comprehensive on ABC issues:
http://mercedes-abc-drive-carefully....rt-of.html?m=1
I took the car to a mechanic this morning and they ran a diagnostic. There was only a low pressure warning which disappeared on it's own when he filled up the fluids (it needed a whole tin). So hopefully that is all that was needed. I was told I can drive the car as there were no errors that were coming up.
On Monday I am taking the car to a certified Benz mechanic and have them run the test again just to be safe.
And for other members who are looking I found the below blog which is very comprehensive on ABC issues:
http://mercedes-abc-drive-carefully....rt-of.html?m=1
Newbie
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
SL500 2003
Similar problem
I have a similar issue, but I have never gotten an alarm. The back end is sagging and the ride was rough (brief as it was). The reservoir is empty, but I never saw a leak. Any chance the accumulators have broken and need replaced? Still worried that I never got an alarm though. Has anyone seen this?
Banned
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 276
Likes: 33
SL500, Miata
The accumulators may in fact be broken. One way to tell is to fill up the ABC reservoir to the higher mark on the dipstick, start the engine, and check the oil level again. If all accumalators are functioning, the level will have dropped to the lower mark.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 448
Likes: 48
From: Europe, but from Norway
89 SL500 Silver ,97 SL500 Carlsson 04 Mercedes SL55 AMG , 07 Mercedes SL55 AMG convertedBlack series
So I checked my fluid levels and they were very low.
I took the car to a mechanic this morning and they ran a diagnostic. There was only a low pressure warning which disappeared on it's own when he filled up the fluids (it needed a whole tin). So hopefully that is all that was needed. I was told I can drive the car as there were no errors that were coming up.
On Monday I am taking the car to a certified Benz mechanic and have them run the test again just to be safe.
And for other members who are looking I found the below blog which is very comprehensive on ABC issues:
http://mercedes-abc-drive-carefully....rt-of.html?m=1
I took the car to a mechanic this morning and they ran a diagnostic. There was only a low pressure warning which disappeared on it's own when he filled up the fluids (it needed a whole tin). So hopefully that is all that was needed. I was told I can drive the car as there were no errors that were coming up.
On Monday I am taking the car to a certified Benz mechanic and have them run the test again just to be safe.
And for other members who are looking I found the below blog which is very comprehensive on ABC issues:
http://mercedes-abc-drive-carefully....rt-of.html?m=1
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