SL/R230: ABC Malfunction
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton Ca
2012 SL550
ABC Malfunction
Morning everyone. Got the dreaded notice above as pulling into my garage last night. It’s a white one. Car is 2011 with 60k miles. Thinking it’s either accumulators or sensors with the former more likely. Checked this morning and no fluid on the floor and no low corners. Also recently changed the pump. Going out today so will see if the message is still there.
The accumulators are probably dying or will soon so I’m likely going to replace them soon. Does anyone have a good source for accumulators and sensors?
Thanks
The accumulators are probably dying or will soon so I’m likely going to replace them soon. Does anyone have a good source for accumulators and sensors?
Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 433
Likes: 54
From: North Carolina, USA
2004 SL500AMG, 2003 SL500 USA
Ebay and Amazon have typically best and bad prices. You can get the part numbers from ebay data, and search by the number. Usually Chinese parts with long lead times are lowest prices.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 433
Likes: 54
From: North Carolina, USA
2004 SL500AMG, 2003 SL500 USA
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton Ca
2012 SL550
Thanks Tonylinc. I just need to confirm that I have the right part numbers. Apparently there are 3 accumulators. Can anyone confirm that? FCP has the numbers for the 2 large ones but not the small one assuming that I’m correct and there’s 3.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 616
Likes: 211
From: My house
SL55AMG, GL450, SLK, S550, Maserati Coupe
My car was warning about bad accumulators and I shouldn't have been driving it, and the worst happened, as I was driving the hi pressure hose blew. So the accumulators were really bad. I can't remember if there are three or two, plus the vibration damper which is really just another accumulator, although slightly different from the other two. I was thinking there was a fourth one when I got mine. When I made the purchase I had recently bought the car knowing it needed these, and I also bought new engine mounts and a new trans mount, and everything got installed at once. If there was a fourth one, on my car that one has not been changed, but the car is perfectly fine. I also think, the mechanics who worked on my car, would have told me, "Hey what about the "last one", why no replacement for that one. If in doubt, you could call FCPeuro on their 1-800 number. I would certainly think they would know for certain how many there are. I did buy a kit, with fluid and filter, etc.
I would stay away from eBay or Amazon for these parts, why when you have FCP they are a good company.
I would stay away from eBay or Amazon for these parts, why when you have FCP they are a good company.
Last edited by tonylinc; Dec 1, 2024 at 09:31 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,052
Likes: 340
From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
Part Numbers for Reference (ABC 2):
Front Accumulator - 2213270215
Pulsation Dampener - 0004660400
Rear Accumulator - 2213280015
OE Genuine MB or Corteco, depending on availability.
Good idea to service the ABC system (filter change + cycle 10L of fluid through the system) after replacement.
Front Accumulator - 2213270215
Pulsation Dampener - 0004660400
Rear Accumulator - 2213280015
OE Genuine MB or Corteco, depending on availability.
Good idea to service the ABC system (filter change + cycle 10L of fluid through the system) after replacement.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton Ca
2012 SL550
Thanks guys. I just changed the filter and flushed the system and replaced with new fluid. Also replaced the tandem pump and the pulsation dampener which is attached to the tandem pump.
HLG600, is the pulsation dampener you refer to the one attached to the tandem pump or another one. I watched a YouTube and saw that when replacing the rear accumulator, there is a small one very close to it which made me think there are 2 big ones and 1 small one. The guy replaced the small one as well but I’m not sure what year the car was.
Those part #’s agree with the ones I have so thanks for the confirmation.
HLG600, is the pulsation dampener you refer to the one attached to the tandem pump or another one. I watched a YouTube and saw that when replacing the rear accumulator, there is a small one very close to it which made me think there are 2 big ones and 1 small one. The guy replaced the small one as well but I’m not sure what year the car was.
Those part #’s agree with the ones I have so thanks for the confirmation.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 433
Likes: 54
From: North Carolina, USA
2004 SL500AMG, 2003 SL500 USA
For my 2003 and 2004 SL500 I think there are 4 accumulators with these part numbers:
80001406 CORTECO = 2203270115 Mercedes. You need 2. They are the big ones plumbed into the valve bodies forward of both wheel wells on the left side of a left hand drive 500SL. I think I will just replace these 2 for now, and see if that solves the ABC light issues. (I replaced the front one, had valve block rebuilt, pieced in the right rear hose that then blew, and fluid is pushed out of the pump. I think I will solve the fluid push out with a new accumulator number noted above on the rear and rebuilt valve block.)
A smaller Accumulator – Center P/N: 2203200415 is plumbed into the rear valve block.
A smaller air reservoir/accumulator 2203270215 screws into the pressure relief valve behind the front left wheel.
80001406 CORTECO = 2203270115 Mercedes. You need 2. They are the big ones plumbed into the valve bodies forward of both wheel wells on the left side of a left hand drive 500SL. I think I will just replace these 2 for now, and see if that solves the ABC light issues. (I replaced the front one, had valve block rebuilt, pieced in the right rear hose that then blew, and fluid is pushed out of the pump. I think I will solve the fluid push out with a new accumulator number noted above on the rear and rebuilt valve block.)
A smaller Accumulator – Center P/N: 2203200415 is plumbed into the rear valve block.
A smaller air reservoir/accumulator 2203270215 screws into the pressure relief valve behind the front left wheel.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 16
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From: Hamilton Ca
2012 SL550
I’ve ordered the 2 big ones which will go on next week. I talked to the Stealer about the smaller one but he couldn’t find a part number. Still not sure there actually is one on the 2011. There appears not to be a Corteco part number either.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 433
Likes: 54
From: North Carolina, USA
2004 SL500AMG, 2003 SL500 USA
You can enter year make and model and search for accumulator/air reservoir on various sites such as Amazon, ebay, auto parts stores, Mercedes parts sites
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 38
Likes: 5
'07 SL550, '09 GL320
I had the same warning come on my dash this past week! I took mine to the Indy and he put on the lift, lo and behold my 4 year old front shocks (Arnott) are wet and leaking. I contacted AutohausAZ where I bought the shocks, and they said that it was outside of their warranty period. Yesterday I contacted Arnott, as the shocks had a lifetime warranty when I purchased them, and I was surprised to hear that they will replace them under warranty. 
I also have been experiencing a loud pop 8-10 seconds after I start the car. The Indy said that noise is the accumulator tank.
I plan to install 2 new accumulator tanks, pulsation damper, 2 front shocks, new Pentosin and filter. Eeks!!!
Am I missing anything else?
’07 SL550
69,714mi
I also have been experiencing a loud pop 8-10 seconds after I start the car. The Indy said that noise is the accumulator tank.
I plan to install 2 new accumulator tanks, pulsation damper, 2 front shocks, new Pentosin and filter. Eeks!!!
Am I missing anything else?
’07 SL550
69,714mi
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis
ABC malfunction
Hi, I just ran into this thread. I recently purchased a 2011 SL 550. My question is that when hitting bumps at different speeds, I get an ABC malfunction flash on the dash, which goes out within a few seconds. This does seem to be timed with when the rear suspension hits the bump. Any thoughts or comments would be helpful.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 616
Likes: 211
From: My house
SL55AMG, GL450, SLK, S550, Maserati Coupe
Accumulators act as a buffer; the pressure in the hydraulic lines of the ABC typically run about 2900PSI while you're driving. Hitting a bump will make that pressure spike much higher. System designed to have the accumulators absorb those spikes, when they are failing you will get that message because you hit a bump and pressures are spiking higher than they are supposed to. Driving with worn out accumulators places too much pressure on your lines and could cause one of those to break then you'll need to replace that hose as well, and some of those can be (very) expensive to replace. I suggest ordering the accumulators for your car's ABC from FCPeuro online, immediately, curtail driving until you get those replaced. At the same time, flush all the old Pentosin oil out and replace with all new oil and a new ABC filter in the reservoir too. I had the same thing going on and was driving around just a few times a week (with the new parts in the trunk waiting to be installed), and Boom, the high pressure line burst. Dealership wanted $9000 to replace that line. An indy shop that does the job the same way a dealership does it, wanted $5000. I found some engineers who said, "We've done a dozen of those cars, we'll do yours for $2000. They did, and also they installed the new accumulators, and also I had new motor mounts and trans mount, did those too. All fine after that!
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis
ABC Malfunction
Thank you for the quick input, I have been watching videos and researching the accumulator replacement parts, I hope to get the part next week and install them right away, as summer cruising is just around the corner.
On a side note, I just purchased the car and made a 1000+ mile trip home with it, and I'm very glad it didn't give me trouble on the road.
On a side note, I just purchased the car and made a 1000+ mile trip home with it, and I'm very glad it didn't give me trouble on the road.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 433
Likes: 54
From: North Carolina, USA
2004 SL500AMG, 2003 SL500 USA
