Mercedes-Benz ABC (Active Body Control) Bleed Procedure – Rodeo Test

The “rodeo” test or dance is a procedure used to diagnose and calibrate the ABC system. During the test, the car is rapidly raised and lowered, causing the suspension to move and triggering the system’s sensors. The test helps to ensure that the ABC system is functioning correctly and can respond to sudden changes in driving conditions. ABC system bleeding (Rodeo Test) should be performed every time you replace the ABC pump, strut, or an ABC hydraulic line or any other procedure that introduces air into the system. In the following video, we demonstrate how to perform Mercedes-Benz Rodeo Test using the YOUCANIC UCAN-II scanner.

Procedure

1. Find the OBD-II port on the left side of the steering wheel at the bottom of the dash. Open the port cover and connect the scanner to the port.
2. Turn on the ignition.
3. Turn on your Scanner and choose the car’s model. If using Star Diagnostic C3, C4, and C5, open up Xentry and select your chassis. You must press F2 a few times to get to the diagnostic menu.
4. Choose System Selection.
5. Choose Active Body Control. Depending on the scanner, this may be under the Chassis category.
6. A prompt will appear, verifying if the ignition is on; if the ignition has been switched on, choose ok. If not, turn on the ignition first and choose ok at the prompt.
7. Wait until the scanner can establish communication with the vehicle.
8. Choose Read fault codes; This is a necessary step because some fault codes would prevent the system from executing ABC Tests, such as code descriptions that pertain to 0 working pressure.
9. If there are no pressure-related errors, Press the return symbol to go back to the previous menu.
10. Choose the actuation test.
11. Choose a menu item with the word Rodeo; this will execute a Rodeo test.
12. Press ok on the Actuation prompt.
13. Press ok on the following confirmation prompt.
14. Turn the engine on to continue with the test.
15. Verify that the ABC pressure sensor is more than 180 bars and the engine is idle.
16. Press F3 or Start
17. The vehicle’s suspensions would start rising and falling.
18. Monitor each suspension’s minimum and maximum height; it should be the same for all four sides. If one side did not move or the height was not the same as the others, there could be an issue with struts for the affected side.
19. Press-F4 stop to stop the Rodeo Test.
20. Turn off the ignition.

Warning on performing a Rodeo Test 

• Although a Rodeo test is beneficial, it should be executed cautiously since a Rodeo test will subject your suspension system to every possible scenario under load that your suspension system does not normally encounter in everyday driving. This might force weak components to break during the test; a shattered piece of a broken part might get lodged in a valve block, causing sagging issues.

How does the ABC System work?

The System is controlled by an ABC module that monitors inputs from sensors and sends commands to the valve blocks to control the inflow and outflow of hydraulic fluid from the struts, thus keeping the chassis level all the time.

The System detects problems within its components and categorizes errors according to the severity, determined by the color of messages displayed on the dashboard.

• Blue or white warnings -The control module detected a problem, but the system is still operational.
•  Red warning – The control module detected a severe problem.  Red warnings that stay on the dash -mean the system is not operational.

Some warnings appear and disappear; this means the system has glitches but has returned to regular operation.

Mercedes-Benz model with ABC Suspension

Mercedes-Benz introduced the Active Body Control (ABC) suspension system in the late 1990s, and it has been used in several of its high-end models since then. Some of the Mercedes-Benz models that have been equipped with ABC suspension at various times include:

• S-Class (W220, W221, W222): ABC suspension was available as an option on the S-Class starting with the 2000 model year.
• CL-Class (C215, C216): ABC suspension was standard on the CL-Class coupes from 1999 to 2014.
• SL-Class (R230, R231): ABC suspension was an option on the SL-Class roadsters from 2003 to 2018.
• SLR McLaren: The limited-edition SLR supercar, produced from 2003 to 2010, featured ABC suspension as standard.

It’s worth noting that not all versions of these models were equipped with ABC suspension and the availability of the system varied by model year and market. If you are considering purchasing a Mercedes-Benz with an ABC suspension, it is recommended to consult with a knowledgeable dealer or mechanic to determine whether the particular vehicle you are interested in has this feature.

Troubleshooting ABC Suspension

To effectively diagnose issues with a Mercedes-Benz vehicle equipped with the Active Body Control (ABC) suspension system, it is essential to use a professional-grade diagnostic scanner. This is because any fault codes that arise in the ABC control unit will need to be accessed and read in order to determine the specific nature of the problem. Therefore, utilizing the appropriate diagnostic equipment is crucial for accurately troubleshooting issues with the ABC suspension system in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

See this article for more help on troubleshooting Mercedes-Benz ABC suspension problems. We hope you find the Mercedes-Benz Rodeo Test Procedure guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Mercedes-Benz.