I FIXED the "ABC Visit Workshop" Warning in my 2004 SL500 R230 by Replacing the ABC Control Module

Do you have the dreaded "ABC Visit Workshop" warning on your R230 dash? This relatively inexpensive, easy DIY repair can bring your car back to error-less condition if your ABC control module is the culprit.
Just make sure you get a module that has been programmed with the correct firmware for your car!

[@markahad6583]

Dude, I just stumbled upon this video. As an old school mechanic doing this for over a quarter of a century, I couldn’t help noticing your lack of safety procedures. Eg, leaving the ratchet on top of your battery. 😮. Good video, by the way. Never stop learning.

[@rollingstocks]

Lol, yeah, I'm not professionally trained - just a self-taught amateur. I suppose it's probably not a good idea to leave metal handles near battery terminals.

[@LawrenceMarkFearon]

This had a happy ending and I like that.

[@AZshootist]

Very well presented. Good job. Also, 106K miles on the car! Excellent. It shows how good the ABC can be.

[@rollingstocks]

Thank you! I replaced the ABC struts, accumulators, and did a valve block rebuild about 5 years ago. The ABC system is still holding up strong, with no error messages, even after racing the car on quite a few occasions. Not only is the ABC system pretty reliable once it's been rebuilt, but the handling capabilities it adds to the car on a track is phenomenal. The car has almost no body roll, and tucks close to the ground during hard cornering - something no car with traditional coil overs could do.

[@ciscoledesma9798]

I got 200 k on mine all stock just replaced the pump

[@rollingstocks]

@@ciscoledesma9798 Nice, 200k is a huge milestone. I'm actually amazed the pump lasted that long, since they're known as a weak point on the car. Hopefully the new one lasts another 200k miles 🙂

[@sluggosloan]

Man, sux you had to do that twice! Thank you for this video! I have the exact same problem in my 2003. Where did you find the part? I can't wait to see you autocross that SL500!!!

[@allanriches9381]

it is very important with MB that any module is replaced with the samee year model and firmware numbers.

[@rollingstocks]

Good to know!

[@fernandopena386]

Thanks dude. Great and helpful video. I will probably have to do the same. Same message on display.

[@rollingstocks]

Good luck! These systems are quite complicated, but they're very well documented at this point, so hopefully you can get it resolved fairly easily.

[@Shubba846]

CJ, I hope your doing well bruthahh. As of Sunday, (9-8-24) I too am experiencing this alert message on my 2005 SL55 AMG. There are no leaks, (checked each wheel) or bursted lines. The reservoir has clean and correct fluid level. The car is not sagging nor in lifted position. While this alert message is on however, the ABC lift & lower function via button on console does nothing. Now when you say; "make sure you get a module that has been programmed with the correct firmware for your car!" are you speaking of the temic code on the replacement needs to be identical to the temic on original unit that is still in my SL55...?

[@donaldcarter4324]

Thank you for all your SL500 videos.

[@rollingstocks]

Thanks for watching them! It's such a pleasure to own such an awesome car, and it makes it even more fun when I can turn my "misfortunes" with it into valuable content.

[@wilbertwilson9387]

After replacing the second time did the Gap go away?

[@rollingstocks]

Yes, the gap has gone away, and the car now sits level. I believe the original owner had some kind of mod done to the one that was in there (which may be why it failed) to lower the car, so it does look like it sits a little higher now all around.

[@journeyofjosh]

Car yoga would sell well down in socal

[@rollingstocks]

Can you sell that?

[@jamesg2609]

I have always had an issue with my ABC. Car lowers when parked. Bought a new pump and accumulators..still have the issue.

[@rollingstocks]

Actually they all tend to lower when parked for longer than a day or so. Mine does regularly. If it's doing it right after you park or you're getting errors, check for fluid on the floor - there could be a burst fluid line. If the system is not leaking, you could try having the valve block rebuilt - that's one of the last things I did and it solved the rest of the issues I was having after I did the accumulators. Apparently those valves can get clogged up with gunk and they stop working.

[@matreyia]

Hey man...I"m super offended. My dad was an Oompaloompa.

[@Mlive722]

Good to see it worked out great your videos are awesome

[@fernandopena386]

Hi CJ! Can you share where you got the ABC control modules? Thanks!

[@rollingstocks]

I was able to find mine on eBay. What I did was I just looked at the sellers' photos until I found one that had the matching firmware numbers. I scooped it up for like $50 and it works perfectly.

[@fernandopena386]

Wow! That was a great deal! Most importantly, you fixed it at a very affordable cost. Awesome dude.

[@michaelhenry9068]

Where did you get that sweet mechanic light

[@rollingstocks]

I got it on eBay, but you have to watch out - some of the sellers sell cheap, crappy ones. It took me a few tries to find the one I have, which is much higher quality. I'd give you the link, but the original listing doesn't seem to exist. You can search eBay for "LED Strip Light Pro Headlamp Strip Lamp Pro 0Delfi Lightweight Head Lamp" though and it will bring up some close options.

[@michaelhenry9068]

How will I know the module I buy has the correct firmware. I've had this issue for a while and now it giving me a brake failure. My research has shown it is linked to the module

[@rollingstocks]

​@@michaelhenry9068 I believe the firmware version is printed on the module itself (called "TEMIC" with a number). In my case, the first module I purchased had a different TEMIC number than my original. I found one on eBay that had the same exact TEMIC number (which I believe is the firmware version number), and that one worked perfectly with my car without any need for re-programming it.

[@clutchinv1803]

ABC system is ass. Have you thought about swapping out with coilovers?

[@rollingstocks]

To each their own. I personally prefer the ABC system because I like the ability to stiffen and lower the suspension for track use, while maintaining good ride comfort for daily driving. I also REALLY like the ability to lift the car 1 inch when I need to get into/out of a steep driveway. I've heard good things about the coil-over conversion, but it's a HUGE project to do it right. I watched Tavarish do the coil over swap on his SL55 AMG and thought to myself "I'd rather just fix the ABC when it breaks".

[@angturil]

The ABC system is brilliant. Many people buy cheap mercedes forgetting that they can't afford to maintain them after purchase. I've had 6 MBs with ABC so far and I've never had a serious problem with it, but every vehicle has been very well preventively maintained. I wouldn't replace ABC with conventional suspension on my current CL500 (216) for anything in the world, even though I know that ABC can have a weakness at any time because this system is part of the very essence of the vehicle. I've always had S/SL/CL classes with ABC precisely because I can't do without this brilliant suspension system. As the video's author quite rightly points out, the vast majority of conversions to conventional suspension are made using crap components. People want cheap stuff to avoid having to maintain expensive stuff, and they end up with a big pile of junk!

[@Amg641]

Hi please help my car wont crank and it wont go out of park the scanner picked this up... CAN communication (no communication with electronic gear selector) CAN communication ( no communication with body control module) CAN communication (no connections with esl) Any advice would be appreciated

[@rollingstocks]

Hello. I'm sorry to hear about your SL troubles. I haven't seen this one before, but it looks like there's a communication break somewhere, which could mean there's either a disconnected or bad module or wire(s). If the car won't go out of park when the brake is pressed, and all of those other units are not able to talk to each other, then it's probably not a single module (unless it's the main ECU). If I was to guess, without being able to look at the car, I would say there's a bad or corroded wiring harness or connection somewhere. Did the car get wet anywhere inside or underneath? Was it worked on recently?

[@Amg641]

@@rollingstocks Hi thanks for replying.. where are all the modules located? If i know where the wiring goes for the parts that don't work i can try tracing the wires

[@rollingstocks]

@@Amg641 The modules are spread throughout the cabin of the car. Some of them, such as the ABC module, are located under the steering column above the driver footwell area. Others, such as the top module, are located within the center console, behind the dash, and I believe there's even a few in the engine compartment under the front cowl. That said, it sounds like you're going to have to locate each one that's not communicating, and chase the wire back to the ECU or wherever it's plugged in.

[@Amg641]

@@rollingstocks does it sounds like a wiring issue? I have a good scanner now but I'm not too familiar with it... Stored(event) Stored&current Stored&current (event) Please tell me the difference

[@rollingstocks]

@@Amg641 It sounds like a wiring issue, or an issue with an electronic module. Stored event codes can be erased with a scanner like a TOPDON, but current codes will show up when/as the malfunction event occurs. If I was the one with this issue, I'd start by searching the Mercedes-Benz forums for errors like yours. You'll likely need to track down the electronic module(s) that is throwing the errors and do some testing to see if it is (or they are) malfunctioning. Unfortunately, I am only able to provide very basic help here on KZbin.

[@Mlive722]

I changed to adjustable Coil overs right away i bought mine with trashed suspension. Ive been tackling all the small issues right away . Next audio upgrade as soon as driveshaft is finished manual swap will begin. I will fully document everything step by step

[@rollingstocks]

Nice, I've heard people have had great success doing the coil over conversion. It would be really interesting to do an experiment comparing the original ABC system with the coil overs. You're doing a manual swap too!? If you succeed, it will probably the first one. I know Tavarish is working on a SL55 manual swap, but he hasn't gotten there yet. Can't wait to see the documentation!

[@Mlive722]

@@rollingstocks Def not as much horsepower as his I'm using chrysler crossfire manual trans. The coilovers feel great.

[@clutchinv1803]

Which coilover did you go with?

[@Mlive722]

@@clutchinv1803Silvers neomax

[@clutchinv1803]

@@Mlive722 nice. That’s what I’ve been considering to