SL/R230: ABC Saga
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 411
Likes: 23
2011 E550 Coupe, 1992 Corvette ZR-1, 1991 368ci ZR-1, 1990 ZR-1, 1987 Callaway TT, 05 SL600, CLA45
ABC Saga
Ive owned a 2006 SL600, which now has 59K miles, for over 6 years. Within the first few weeks of owning the car I had an ABC hose fail, and within months the pump began to fail. It then took me 3 rebuild replacements to find a Functional ABC pump, only to have the blue light come back a year after. This week I flushed the system, and pressure returned to 175-185 bar at idle. I allowed the engine to warm up and drove test drove it, and the pressure stayed at 170+ at all times. Then the next day I started it up and 10 minutes in I got a Blue code. Here is the other interesting piece. the ABC comes on only after the engine warms up and after extended driving the pressure will go as long low as 129 at idle, which I believe is 600-650 RPM. IF... you raise the idle to just 850-900 the pressure goes back to 165-174.....
I think its odd that a few hundred RPM increases pressure by 40 bar, at cruise the pressure stays around 167-175
Any thoughts":
I think its odd that a few hundred RPM increases pressure by 40 bar, at cruise the pressure stays around 167-175
Any thoughts":
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 411
Likes: 23
2011 E550 Coupe, 1992 Corvette ZR-1, 1991 368ci ZR-1, 1990 ZR-1, 1987 Callaway TT, 05 SL600, CLA45
All three were remans, I dont believe there are any new left at this point, all reman. I have all new accumulators and rebuilt the back block.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 746
Likes: 185
From: Melbourne, Australia
2005 SL 500 R230
It was a bit more expensive, but I got my pump from Zädow Automotive in Germany. It works perfectly although no-one has been able to tell me just what we get for our bucks in our rebuilt pumps.
Logically all the seals and rings would be replaced but these shouldn't affect the pressure the pump puts out. Does anyone replace the small pistons inside? Whatever it is in the pumps that causes the pressure to drop should be replaced but those who 'rebuild' these pumps are, oddly enough, a little cagey about the details.
Logically all the seals and rings would be replaced but these shouldn't affect the pressure the pump puts out. Does anyone replace the small pistons inside? Whatever it is in the pumps that causes the pressure to drop should be replaced but those who 'rebuild' these pumps are, oddly enough, a little cagey about the details.
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
mixed up banjo bolts when fitted new pump . https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...er-change.html
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 343
From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
One option is the pressure regulator, but if that was faulty you probably wouldn't get normal pressure above idle.
On the face of it , it sounds like the pump, but three pumps can't all be bad.
I've had several reman pumps over the years, and they were all good.
Maybe the fluid is too low viscosity. Is the fluid old? If its new, what brand is it?
On reflection I would guess the pressure regulator is contaminated and slightly stuck open, so that the low flow rate at idle isn't enough to overcome the leakage, but higher revs get round that.
So I would probably replace the pressure regulator.
Good luck,
Nick
On the face of it , it sounds like the pump, but three pumps can't all be bad.
I've had several reman pumps over the years, and they were all good.
Maybe the fluid is too low viscosity. Is the fluid old? If its new, what brand is it?
On reflection I would guess the pressure regulator is contaminated and slightly stuck open, so that the low flow rate at idle isn't enough to overcome the leakage, but higher revs get round that.
So I would probably replace the pressure regulator.
Good luck,
Nick
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
From: Barcelona
R230 (500SL)
Hi all,
So far I”ve been reading several ABC related posts in order to learn how it works, pros and cons, but today I had the first red warning message in my SL500…so I”m a little bit worried and confused.
I only drive my unit on weekends and sometimes on holidays (yes it”s a parking queen,,and I love to drive this car just a little); this afternoon I took the car and a red ABC message appeared in the lcd screen, it was saying like too low height (or something like this), I pushed the ABC button in order to raise the suspension and the error went out, I pushed again for the second position and for the “normal” one, no more AbC messages. But 10/15 minutes later (driving) after driving a road bump, another ABC red alert saying drive with caution (or something like this), then the message disappeared. I continued driving slowly the car toward home: nothing wrong.
what could be wrong? What do I need to do? The car passed a complete workshop revision 2 month ago. The parking spot is clean, no fluid leaks (at least visible). How can I checked de ABC fluid level? I don”t have mechanic skills AT ALL!
thanks for your help
best
Eloi
So far I”ve been reading several ABC related posts in order to learn how it works, pros and cons, but today I had the first red warning message in my SL500…so I”m a little bit worried and confused.
I only drive my unit on weekends and sometimes on holidays (yes it”s a parking queen,,and I love to drive this car just a little); this afternoon I took the car and a red ABC message appeared in the lcd screen, it was saying like too low height (or something like this), I pushed the ABC button in order to raise the suspension and the error went out, I pushed again for the second position and for the “normal” one, no more AbC messages. But 10/15 minutes later (driving) after driving a road bump, another ABC red alert saying drive with caution (or something like this), then the message disappeared. I continued driving slowly the car toward home: nothing wrong.
what could be wrong? What do I need to do? The car passed a complete workshop revision 2 month ago. The parking spot is clean, no fluid leaks (at least visible). How can I checked de ABC fluid level? I don”t have mechanic skills AT ALL!
thanks for your help
best
Eloi
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 310
95 SL600
Sounds like you have ruptured accumulators from the warning after hitting a bump, and no leakage elsewhere. There is very rarely nothing wrong when the ABC warnings come on while driving, and not heeding these warnings usually get expensive quickly.
Unfortunately with your limited mechanical skills, and the skills needed to repair these cars, I would suggest a trip straight to the repair shop of your choice. Simply checking the fluid level won’t fix your issue, as if it’s too low, it isn’t a consumable fluid, and it’s gone somewhere, too high will also indicate problems. Driving it like this will more than likely lead to higher repair bills, and even more likely a trip to the repair shop on a tow truck.
Unfortunately with your limited mechanical skills, and the skills needed to repair these cars, I would suggest a trip straight to the repair shop of your choice. Simply checking the fluid level won’t fix your issue, as if it’s too low, it isn’t a consumable fluid, and it’s gone somewhere, too high will also indicate problems. Driving it like this will more than likely lead to higher repair bills, and even more likely a trip to the repair shop on a tow truck.
Last edited by cdk4219; Aug 1, 2022 at 06:47 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 365
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
If the car settles too low when parked, you will get the red 'Car too low' warning until ABC is activated to bring the height back to correct level. The level button is the best way to do this. It will also raise back up if you start driving. If this persists, you probably need the front and/or rear valve blocks rebuilt. If it doesn't recur, I wouldn't worry about it.
The warning when going over bumps is a bad main accumulator (there are two, front and back). I would suggest have a good indy Mercedes shop replace both. If they don't know what you are talking about, find a different shop.
The warning when going over bumps is a bad main accumulator (there are two, front and back). I would suggest have a good indy Mercedes shop replace both. If they don't know what you are talking about, find a different shop.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
From: Barcelona
R230 (500SL)
If the car settles too low when parked, you will get the red 'Car too low' warning until ABC is activated to bring the height back to correct level. The level button is the best way to do this. It will also raise back up if you start driving. If this persists, you probably need the front and/or rear valve blocks rebuilt. If it doesn't recur, I wouldn't worry about it.
The warning when going over bumps is a bad main accumulator (there are two, front and back). I would suggest have a good indy Mercedes shop replace both. If they don't know what you are talking about, find a different shop.
The warning when going over bumps is a bad main accumulator (there are two, front and back). I would suggest have a good indy Mercedes shop replace both. If they don't know what you are talking about, find a different shop.
best
Eloi
Junior Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
From: Barcelona
R230 (500SL)
Sounds like you have ruptured accumulators from the warning after hitting a bump, and no leakage elsewhere. There is very rarely nothing wrong when the ABC warnings come on while driving, and not heeding these warnings usually get expensive quickly.
Unfortunately with your limited mechanical skills, and the skills needed to repair these cars, I would suggest a trip straight to the repair shop of your choice. Simply checking the fluid level won’t fix your issue, as if it’s too low, it isn’t a consumable fluid, and it’s gone somewhere, too high will also indicate problems. Driving it like this will more than likely lead to higher repair bills, and even more likely a trip to the repair shop on a tow truck.
Unfortunately with your limited mechanical skills, and the skills needed to repair these cars, I would suggest a trip straight to the repair shop of your choice. Simply checking the fluid level won’t fix your issue, as if it’s too low, it isn’t a consumable fluid, and it’s gone somewhere, too high will also indicate problems. Driving it like this will more than likely lead to higher repair bills, and even more likely a trip to the repair shop on a tow truck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 365
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
Have them run a pressure drop on shutdown test on the ABC system. This tell you if the accumulators are good or bad. They can fail outright, or just lose capacity.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
From: Barcelona
R230 (500SL)
thanks
Eloi
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 310
95 SL600
Doing this yourself will require you to purchase a specific Mercedes diagnostic tool and laptop. Regardless of that, with limited mechanical skills, you will only be possibly diagnosing the issue, not fixing it. Your money will be better spent finding a competent repair shop that has both the diagnostic tool and the mechanical skills to perform the repair.
Working on these cars requires lots of mechanical skills, the correct diagnostic tools, the correct sets of mechanical tools, and a very good understanding of the system you are trying to repair. Leave one or more out and dollar and frustration levels will rise quickly.
If you would like to go the diagnostic approach as a beginner, I would suggest contacting the Benzninja. He will point yiu in the right direction and assist you with your diagnostic ventures. Be aware that you will have to purchase some equipment and be somewhat computer educated for this endeavor.
Most of the people on this board repair their own cars, but with the ABC system and it’s complexity, it’s sometimes best left to people that know how to fix it.
Or the fox well 510 elite as above. It’s cheap enough to get you started. You will need an understanding of what all the values stated actually mean, which is some good homework.
Working on these cars requires lots of mechanical skills, the correct diagnostic tools, the correct sets of mechanical tools, and a very good understanding of the system you are trying to repair. Leave one or more out and dollar and frustration levels will rise quickly.
If you would like to go the diagnostic approach as a beginner, I would suggest contacting the Benzninja. He will point yiu in the right direction and assist you with your diagnostic ventures. Be aware that you will have to purchase some equipment and be somewhat computer educated for this endeavor.
Most of the people on this board repair their own cars, but with the ABC system and it’s complexity, it’s sometimes best left to people that know how to fix it.
Or the fox well 510 elite as above. It’s cheap enough to get you started. You will need an understanding of what all the values stated actually mean, which is some good homework.
Last edited by cdk4219; Aug 3, 2022 at 07:54 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
From: Barcelona
R230 (500SL)
thanks for the info!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 365
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
The Mercedes DAS software includes this test. I'm not sure about Foxwell or other Mercedes specific scanners, they might have it. There is a bleed orifice in the system, so when you shut the car off, the pressure will bleed off. Normally, the accumulators will slowly discharge and this pressure drop is very gradual. If the accumulators are blown, low on charge pressure, or have otherwise deteriorated, this pressure drop off will be rapid. The test will give you the criteria, something like over 100 bar for 30 sec. If both main accumulators are blown, it will drop below 100 in maybe 5 seconds. If one is good, it might hold 100 bar for 15-20 seconds (don't quote me on the exact numbers, but you get the idea). If you can plug in a scanner, you can do the test, but you have to have the right scanner, not just a generic OBDII scanner.
