SL/R230: Rodeo at 60MPH
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
2008 ML63 AMG
Rodeo at 60MPH
I was driving down the road the other day and my 2007 SL550 it started going into rodeo mode and going up and down independently in each corner in a circular motion. Has anyone ever experienced this before? What was the fix? I hooked my scanner and noticed that the voltage usage on three of the shocks was constantly going up and down in unison, while one was constant. It seemed odd. I drove it again after that and it was moving all over the place.
Do you think it's a bad suspension module or bad shock level sensor?
Do you think it's a bad suspension module or bad shock level sensor?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 520
Likes: 203
From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 SL550 & 2012 S550 4matic
Try using MB Star DAS Xentry diagnostic system, it will give you the codes and root cause of the issue. In DAS you can perform the rodeo, which might trigger the failure point. Most OBD tools can't test all the sensors.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 28
Likes: 6
From: Chicago Illinois
2007 SL550, 2008 E550, 2011 E350, 2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV
Ha, I’m having a similar problem. When I come to complete stop and idle I can feel and visibly see the front end dip 3/8”.. almost as if the shocks stayed extended and then lowered back to rid height. I’ve done a fluid and filter change, rodeo, and pitch. No ABC codes, no weird road feels! I’m a tad lost… I did notice that the voltage to the front acceleration sensors fluctuated a lot. I’ve ordered used replacements as a start. If don’t notice a change it’ll be going to my Indy for diagnostics.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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
Ha, I’m having a similar problem. When I come to complete stop and idle I can feel and visibly see the front end dip 3/8”.. almost as if the shocks stayed extended and then lowered back to rid height. I’ve done a fluid and filter change, rodeo, and pitch. No ABC codes, no weird road feels! I’m a tad lost… I did notice that the voltage to the front acceleration sensors fluctuated a lot. I’ve ordered used replacements as a start. If don’t notice a change it’ll be going to my Indy for diagnostics.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 28
Likes: 6
From: Chicago Illinois
2007 SL550, 2008 E550, 2011 E350, 2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV
Hey Mike, my issue is sort of opposite... it seems like the car will stay "elevated" while driving until you come to a complete stop. For instance, cruise 25 MPH, come to a full stop, and idle for maybe 5/6 seconds and you will visibly see the front end dip down back to normal ride height. What is a Blocking Valve? Is it the front and back valve blocks?
I have no overnight/weekly sagging!
I have no overnight/weekly sagging!
MBWorld Fanatic!
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
Each strut has a blocking valve and a control valve. When you are stopped at idle, the blocking valves are normally closed and ABC is in a sort of standby mode. In order to properly diagnose, you first need to determine if the valves are working as intended. One test is to idle for several minutes and see if any levels change. Another is to actuate each strut through diagnostics to see how they respond. Normally, they will raise somewhat faster than they lower, but should be pretty responsive in both directions. If they all check out and you think it is a control issue, you need to look at the inputs to the controller (level sensors, strut plunger or (in your case) pressure sensors, acceleration sensors, vehicle speed sensors, etc. If the control is getting bad data, it will issue incorrect signals to the valve blocks.
Keeping a precise vehicle level is the second priority for the controller. It first worries about absorbing the bumps and dips in the road and doing the job of sway bars in cornering. However, once you slow down and the struts don't need to be as active, it should adjust and be in the vicinity of calibrated height when you come to a stop. Also, the car should be lower at speeds and be raising as you slow down. This is part of the control scheme.
Keeping a precise vehicle level is the second priority for the controller. It first worries about absorbing the bumps and dips in the road and doing the job of sway bars in cornering. However, once you slow down and the struts don't need to be as active, it should adjust and be in the vicinity of calibrated height when you come to a stop. Also, the car should be lower at speeds and be raising as you slow down. This is part of the control scheme.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
2008 ML63 AMG
Update : brought it to MB dealer. They found no issues. Tech had seen a similar issue in 1 other 2 in 20 years. Replaced the ABC module and it fixed. $560 part. I got the part, installed
myself and had the dealership program it. Didnt fix the issue. A guy on a Facebook SL owners group suggested it was the acceleration sensors. There are three. One on each front shock tower and one on the driver side rear shock tower under the trunk liner. Replacing all three fixed the issue. All is right in the world again.
myself and had the dealership program it. Didnt fix the issue. A guy on a Facebook SL owners group suggested it was the acceleration sensors. There are three. One on each front shock tower and one on the driver side rear shock tower under the trunk liner. Replacing all three fixed the issue. All is right in the world again.
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