SL/R230: Abc issues and car won’t raise.
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2022
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Sl500
Abc issues and car won’t raise.
Seeing if you guys can shed some light. This am was heading to the gym, heard a loud bang thought I hit something in the road. The abc warning in red came on and won’t go off. Little history the abc will flash and go off when I hit a speed bump too hard. Also when it sits for a hour or so the left front will drop, but will lift once I start the car. Now the whole left side is very low and won’t raise. Also right looks lower than normal. I checked and the reservoir is empty and I noticed fluid on the wet pavement at gym. Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on it and give me a idea where to start. 04 sl500
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95 SL600
You blew one of the ABC hoses, and more than likely have run the pump dry. Get your wallet out, it’s going to be costly
. I would say the pump, one or more of the hoses and at least one of the valve blocks are going to need replacement, along with all of the accumulators, which probably went bad quite some time ago and disregarding the ABC light has led to a blown hydraulic hose.
. I would say the pump, one or more of the hoses and at least one of the valve blocks are going to need replacement, along with all of the accumulators, which probably went bad quite some time ago and disregarding the ABC light has led to a blown hydraulic hose.
Last edited by cdk4219; Feb 18, 2023 at 07:29 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
Best case, the fluid was by the left rear wheel and you blew the rear pressure line and didn't drive far enough to ruin the pump. That would be a few hundred bucks including the accumulators if you can do the work yourself. A couple grand at an indy shop.
Senior Member
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From: North West England
SL500
Probably all caused because to continued to drive with a blown accumulator! The accumulators act a fluid shock absorbers.
Hope you haven't destroyed the pump, but should act as a lesson not to ignore maintenance on these cars. What would have cost a few $100 will now cost a few $1000, if not scrap the car!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
S550C4, Porsche Cayenne
Probably all caused because to continued to drive with a blown accumulator! The accumulators act a fluid shock absorbers.
Hope you haven't destroyed the pump, but should act as a lesson not to ignore maintenance on these cars. What would have cost a few $100 will now cost a few $1000, if not scrap the car!
Hope you haven't destroyed the pump, but should act as a lesson not to ignore maintenance on these cars. What would have cost a few $100 will now cost a few $1000, if not scrap the car!
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Indianapolis
2009 SL550 2009 SL63
Oooof, that is going to be rough. I love the ABC system, but after a failure like that, it might be time to consider a coil over solution. These guys sell a kit that comes with all the stuff you need to switch it out. I believe they are out of Florida.
https://vvk-usa.myshopify.com/produc...50-sl600-sl350
https://vvk-usa.myshopify.com/produc...50-sl600-sl350
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
2014 E350 Wagon, 2009 SL550 no ABC
I believe that the only correct way to repair ABC system on R230 is to replace it with coil overs, I would not buy or drive a R230 with ABC (after my extensive ABC experience). Unless the car is only driven slowly and on short distances and you are always prepared to have it towed home.
Last edited by George993; Feb 26, 2023 at 09:33 PM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 474
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From: North West England
SL500
I believe that the only correct way to repair ABC system on R230 is to replace it with coil overs, I would not buy or drive a R230 with ABC (after my extensive ABC experience). Unless the car is only driven slowly and on short distances and you are always prepared to have it towed home.
I believe that the cheapest way to repair ABC system on R230 is to replace it with coil overs,
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95 SL600
“and you are always prepared to have it towed home”
On a flatbed that will destroy the front bumper because it’s on the ground, and hopefully nobody turns the wheels and catches the front fenders causing damage. Not to mention it will probably scrape the exhaust tips on and off the flatbed. Mercedes and their air and hydraulic suspensions!
On a flatbed that will destroy the front bumper because it’s on the ground, and hopefully nobody turns the wheels and catches the front fenders causing damage. Not to mention it will probably scrape the exhaust tips on and off the flatbed. Mercedes and their air and hydraulic suspensions!
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
2014 E350 Wagon, 2009 SL550 no ABC
Certainly cheaper than spending $10,000-$20,000 to completely replace ABC with new components :-). But not necessarily cheaper than replacing a single blown hose. If you only spend a few thousands to replace the shocks for example, the next thing could be a spectacular blow up of a high pressure hose (ask me how I know - the exact case of one of my ABC cars). Or it could be a vertical acceleration sensor failure with the car suddenly starting to violently jump up and down on a perfectly flat highway in heavy traffic at 60mph (again ask me how I know). Plus add the cost of repairing the bumper/body damage from getting the low car on/off a tow truck. Or funeral costs if a hose blows up during a fast drive on a winding mountain road. Maybe a great system when new, but not so on cars approaching 20 years of age.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 502
Likes: 145
From: Tampa Bay, FL
2014 E350 Wagon, 2009 SL550 no ABC
BTW, for those familiar with "rodeo" test on ABC - that's how it feels in the above case at 60mph, not something for people with limited driving skills to safely recover from.
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95 SL600
It’s a terrible system and even more so when you think about what actually could happen when it goes bad. Those who love it can defend it all they want, but they don’t understand the ramifications when it breaks.
