SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Tapping noise & ABC errors.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Oct 5, 2021 | 07:13 PM
  #1  
hydrogen's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 104
Likes: 13
2005 SL500
Tapping noise & ABC errors.

Hi,

I have a SL500 2005 7 speed, Australian.

A few days ago I got a red ‘ABC drive carefully’ error on the dash. I didn’t notice anything unusual about the car and it went away. Everything seemed fine.
This morning I started the car the red ‘ABC drive carefully’ error came up again. Then I could hear a quick succession tapping noise coming from the front left side (mine is right hand drive). The is white error appeared ‘ABC Visit Workshop’ I drove off gently and after about 30 seconds the tapping noise went away and everything seemed fine again. The car has not sagged down at any corner nor does there appear to be anything leaking.

if anybody has any ideas on what might be the issue. This forum is always my first port of call with an problem.

Appreciated, thank you.
Gerard
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2021 | 11:40 PM
  #2  
MikeJ65's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 366
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
My SL55 was doing something similar. I'm still not sure what the clicking was, but it would sometimes not pressure up and when it did pressure up, pressure was still less than normal. I have replaced the pump and everything seems fine now.
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2021 | 12:34 AM
  #3  
hydrogen's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 104
Likes: 13
2005 SL500
It could be that. Thanks for the reply, mate.
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2021 | 03:52 AM
  #4  
Psnj's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Queensland Australia
R230 SL500; previously 280CE and 180E.
It is possibly a faulty pressure relief valve, which controls the pump pressure. The only way to be sure is to use Star diagnosis; otherwise you will be replacing parts (e.g. the expensive tandem pump) without knowing the cause of the problem.
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2021 | 03:56 AM
  #5  
hydrogen's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 104
Likes: 13
2005 SL500
Ok mate, thank you.
I know the ABC is complex had problem before.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2021 | 12:35 AM
  #6  
hydrogen's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 104
Likes: 13
2005 SL500
Thanks again for the advice.
Took car to a trusted Mechanic, turned out to be a badly clogged ABC filter and degraded hydraulic fluid. ABC pump not pressurising properly.
Flush system, replace filter and fluid. All good now.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2021 | 07:40 AM
  #7  
MikeJ65's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 366
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
I'm not sure what the clicking is, probably the valve block trying to do something to respond to low pressure. At any rate, it seems to be a sign of pressure issues.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:34 AM.

story-0
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 bring a new-generation V8, subtle design revisions, and familiar supercar-rivaling performance figures.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-17 12:52:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-2
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-3
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-5
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-7
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE