With your mileage and age of vehicle it is likely the accumulators require replacement. You don't want one to rupture and possibly contaminate the fluid. There are four in the vehicle. The two front ones are relatively easy to replace. The one in the rear is not bad either, but the fourth one, the smaller one that requires removal of the control valve assy. I did the easy three, but the fourth one I had my shop replace it, three hours labor. Regardless, without a lift , lying the ground and a jacked up vehicle it is a bit of work. My suggestion is take it to a shop let them diagnose the issue and if you need accumulators do all four and they are a maintenance item and sooner or later the others will go out. I didn't wait, I replaced mine around 85K miles.
ABC warning light over rises in road
My 2003 SL55 with 83K miles is in great shape and performs flawlessly. It doesn't leak anything, and the suspension doesn't sag after sitting for weeks, although I usually drive it every few days. The height adjustment buttons on the center console work fine. I leave it in the upper levels due to a steep driveway and rough roads near me. I lower it for highway trips, maybe twice a month. The ride is silky smooth and corners nice and flat .The fluid is clean and green and reads the proper levels both AN and AUS (running and off). I've added about 1/2 quart since I bought it when it first started giving ABC warnings occasionally and I learned how to check it. I thought one or more accumulators had leaked through since no fluid leaks out. The ABC warnings quit for about a year, but returned recently. There is one delta road on the way to our favorite eating spot that has a series of rises and dips that trips the warning every few miles, if I have my wife with me. Short trips around town don't trip it at all if I'm by myself.
So, since I'm retired and have 3 cars and a truck and motorcycle, I put very few miles on the SL55 each year.
So all this begs the question, do I want to throw money at this "problem". I've read much about this system, and realize how many parts may be involved if I take it to my local indie. I'm also considering buying 2 accumulators for about $200 from CARID, and replacing them myself in hopes this will solve the problem with the beep and red ABC warning. This would be pretty hard for me since I'm 76, but would cost about the same as an estimate from the Indie. Or do I just drive it and not worry about it since I put so few miles on it? Or just park it and drive something else. The problem is, I love driving this car. Any opinions would be appreciated.
So, since I'm retired and have 3 cars and a truck and motorcycle, I put very few miles on the SL55 each year.
So all this begs the question, do I want to throw money at this "problem". I've read much about this system, and realize how many parts may be involved if I take it to my local indie. I'm also considering buying 2 accumulators for about $200 from CARID, and replacing them myself in hopes this will solve the problem with the beep and red ABC warning. This would be pretty hard for me since I'm 76, but would cost about the same as an estimate from the Indie. Or do I just drive it and not worry about it since I put so few miles on it? Or just park it and drive something else. The problem is, I love driving this car. Any opinions would be appreciated.
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I didn't see the previous reply. Guess you have your answer. I wanted to add that I bought the aftermarket accumulators, however the rear small one is only sold by Benz.
1 - 2 of 11 Posts
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