SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Am i heading for a ABC nightmare?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Mumbai, India
SL55 AMG
Am i heading for a ABC nightmare?
Last night when i shut the car (2003 sl55 AMG), i had raised the height. This morning i found the car at a low height. I have also observed that on some occasions, she would drop height. Sometimes, she would drop and raise the height back up (when stationary). Does this mean that i am heading for ABC problems? What issues should i expect to crop up?
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From: Indiana
2003 AMG SL55, 2002 AMG CLK55, 2002 AMG ML55, 2005 ML350, 1995 S320 LWB - totaled
Definately have it looked at. Ounce of prevention vs. pound of cure.
However do not take it to the steelership.
Find a good independant shop.
However do not take it to the steelership.
Find a good independant shop.
Senior Member
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From: West Chester, PA - USA
2003 SL55 AMG
You might get more help regarding an independent shop if you'd give your location. Also, on the other web site forum for SL55 AMG's, there is a great 'sticky' for ABC information.
Last edited by kittyandgary; Jul 7, 2014 at 04:38 PM.
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SL500, Miata
No, not at all. For now I would simply monitor the problem in the coming days.
Nothing more than a continuation and eventual worsening of the current problem. If that happens, then I suggest the strut, hoses, and valve block of the associated wheel(s) where the car is low should be checked for external leaks. If that checks-out, then it's likely the ABC fluid should be filtered or flushed. You can do all of this yourself.
Nothing more than a continuation and eventual worsening of the current problem. If that happens, then I suggest the strut, hoses, and valve block of the associated wheel(s) where the car is low should be checked for external leaks. If that checks-out, then it's likely the ABC fluid should be filtered or flushed. You can do all of this yourself.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Mumbai, India
SL55 AMG
Flushed the car and also replaced the filter. But the problem is not going away. She now sags on the left side (the car is right hand drive). Also there is a hissing noise from the passenger side door. Cant figure out where that is from but it there is link with the sagging problem? I am worried. Please advise me some preventive maintenance. What should i check and in what order?
have attached the picture of the old fluid and the new fluid after the flush.
have attached the picture of the old fluid and the new fluid after the flush.
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Sl55amg
That really is mucky fluid mate.hope it has not done too much damage.what miles are on your car?when I bought my 55 in December I was advised to look at the color of the abc fluid which I did,it was green the owner was a bit puzzled by this and I told him if the fluid has not been green I was going to walk away.my 55 had 46k on it when I bought it and to my knowledge the fluid has not been changed although this will be done in the next week or so.hope you get sorted soon.
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SL500, Miata
The attached bulletin addresses the sagging issue.
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Joined: Jul 2013
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From: West Chester, PA - USA
2003 SL55 AMG
Tankman,
I'd be very interested in what kind of climate your SL55 had been living, and what model year it is. I'm coming to believe that the ABC systems that have been in a very dry climate are not nearly as likely to have the fluid deteriorate and become black. My '03 SL55, like yours had fluid that was still in the green spectrum when I first inspected it (4 months after purchase, when I found all the info available about this ABC system). For 5 years, the car had been in a high desert climate, and for 4 of the previous 5 years, it had lived at dealerships, where it was always stored inside. I have full service records, and there was no indication of the ABC fluid having been changed.
Anyone who has 'black' ABC fluid, I'd also be interested to know the history of your cars location as well.
I'd be very interested in what kind of climate your SL55 had been living, and what model year it is. I'm coming to believe that the ABC systems that have been in a very dry climate are not nearly as likely to have the fluid deteriorate and become black. My '03 SL55, like yours had fluid that was still in the green spectrum when I first inspected it (4 months after purchase, when I found all the info available about this ABC system). For 5 years, the car had been in a high desert climate, and for 4 of the previous 5 years, it had lived at dealerships, where it was always stored inside. I have full service records, and there was no indication of the ABC fluid having been changed.
Anyone who has 'black' ABC fluid, I'd also be interested to know the history of your cars location as well.
Last edited by kittyandgary; Jul 14, 2014 at 08:39 AM.
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Sl55amg
Hi mate, my car is a late 03. Lived all it's life in north west England.so various weather and only very occasionally severe at both ends of the spectrum.car was always garaged by first two owners ,third kept it undercover.on a general note I do think MB should be berated for not giving the abc system the back up as part of the service programme.if they had we would not be having this conversation.good work btw on the abc posts so far. Sent from my I phone on holiday in kephalonia.
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From: Seattle
2008 Mercedes Benz E63
All you have to do is remove the valve blocks and replace the o - rings with green harbor freight ones. Clean the blocks while they are out. It takes 2 hours each block. You car will no longer fall.
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Sl55 amg
OK The nightmare continues. Cleaned the valve blocks. Still the problem did not go through. So have changed the front valve blocks and replaced them with brand new ones. Changed the oil and also the filter to 3 micron. Threw the old ones out and replaced them with the newer model. She was fine for a few days. Then she started lowering on the left side (the car is right hand drive). This time she is low by about a inch and half from both the front and rear side. Now suddenly this afternoon, the dreaded "ABC" flashed on the panel with message to take to workshop. Totally frustrated. My garage tells me that it could be the srtuts. he recomends changing them. But it seems strange to me that both the front and rear struts could require change at the same time. There are no visible leaks. Please advise.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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From: Mumbai, India
SL55 AMG
The nightmare continues: My apologies for responding so late. So the following is replaced:
1. All four struts. Bought brand new struts.
2. New front valve block.
3. New lines from the front valve block to the struts. Front and rear.
4. New Tandem pump.
5. New front height level sensors.
6. New filter and Oil.
The problem is STILL NOT SOLVED. Now the rear is sitting too high. Its like someone or something has pitched it up. Performed the Rodeo. There is NO ABC message on the dash. There are no leakages.
What could be the problem. Help me please.........................
1. All four struts. Bought brand new struts.
2. New front valve block.
3. New lines from the front valve block to the struts. Front and rear.
4. New Tandem pump.
5. New front height level sensors.
6. New filter and Oil.
The problem is STILL NOT SOLVED. Now the rear is sitting too high. Its like someone or something has pitched it up. Performed the Rodeo. There is NO ABC message on the dash. There are no leakages.
What could be the problem. Help me please.........................
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 397
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From: san diego
2001 viper rt-10, 2007 SL65
Last night when i shut the car (2003 sl55 AMG), i had raised the height. This morning i found the car at a low height. I have also observed that on some occasions, she would drop height. Sometimes, she would drop and raise the height back up (when stationary). Does this mean that i am heading for ABC problems? What issues should i expect to crop up?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 397
Likes: 11
From: san diego
2001 viper rt-10, 2007 SL65
Sorry, I forgot to reference dinky boy's ( I hope not for his sake) "Crop Up" problem to help my response more understandable.
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Joined: Aug 2013
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2008 Ducati 1098 2003 SL55 AMG
The nightmare continues: My apologies for responding so late. So the following is replaced:
1. All four struts. Bought brand new struts.
2. New front valve block.
3. New lines from the front valve block to the struts. Front and rear.
4. New Tandem pump.
5. New front height level sensors.
6. New filter and Oil.
The problem is STILL NOT SOLVED. Now the rear is sitting too high. Its like someone or something has pitched it up. Performed the Rodeo. There is NO ABC message on the dash. There are no leakages.
What could be the problem. Help me please.........................
1. All four struts. Bought brand new struts.
2. New front valve block.
3. New lines from the front valve block to the struts. Front and rear.
4. New Tandem pump.
5. New front height level sensors.
6. New filter and Oil.
The problem is STILL NOT SOLVED. Now the rear is sitting too high. Its like someone or something has pitched it up. Performed the Rodeo. There is NO ABC message on the dash. There are no leakages.
What could be the problem. Help me please.........................
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 258
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2003 SL55
I am in a similar position. I have replaced all 4 struts, valve block, repaired the other, smaller filter, and still get abc messages.
I am convinced an abc rodeo while contaminated will cause other components to fail.
My suggestion would be to evaluate the voltage for the solenoids in the valve blocks. That caused my rear to sit high.
My indy shop gave up and took it to the master tech at the dealership, who then performed a terrible alignment job and said i need an updated abc control module... i hesitate to order one due to his botched alignment.
However, that sounds like the only option you and i have yet to try, so i guess thats all i can offer?
I am convinced an abc rodeo while contaminated will cause other components to fail.
My suggestion would be to evaluate the voltage for the solenoids in the valve blocks. That caused my rear to sit high.
My indy shop gave up and took it to the master tech at the dealership, who then performed a terrible alignment job and said i need an updated abc control module... i hesitate to order one due to his botched alignment.
However, that sounds like the only option you and i have yet to try, so i guess thats all i can offer?
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 153
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From: michigan
SL63
the design of the abc system in the sl55 is flawed.
my new sl55 developed many of these issues after one year of ownership.
mb eventually bought the car back from me under the michigan lemon law, as the dealer was unable to repair it.
my new sl55 developed many of these issues after one year of ownership.
mb eventually bought the car back from me under the michigan lemon law, as the dealer was unable to repair it.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 603
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From: Asheville, Atlanta
SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited
The ABC system is a real achilles heel for these R230 cars and truly contributes to their depreciation curve if you can call it that.....it is more like a lead balloon...........they over engineered it like MB does.......however.....they tried to be innovative in their approach to their credit and when the system is working it is super, but it seems to be an either or proposition unfortunately.....
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 531
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From: EDH, CA.
2012 E63 AMG
My 2007 SL55 had failed Body Accelerator Sensors for ABC that were replaced under warranty for the suspension acting up a little - not to the extent you are describing though. Front left, Front Right, Rear Left, Rear Right as well as a SAM module that was locking up the DAS machine. This was at 40K miles. The ABC tandem pump was replaced about 5K miles later because it was leaking.
With two struts on one side waning, My thought would be control systems before the actual struts. But now, I understand that the rear sits high? Is this the only remaining issue?
With two struts on one side waning, My thought would be control systems before the actual struts. But now, I understand that the rear sits high? Is this the only remaining issue?
