S CLASS AIRMATIC WOES (Yes Again!!!)

[tgmnewry]

Hi ya am an owner of an X Reg 2000, S Class 430L.
Over the past few months I have noticed the car slower to rise at the rear. Over the past weekend the car has failed to rise at all. I am now getting today constant red warning messages "Stop Vehicle Level too Low"
Previously when I occasionally got these messages I hit the vehicle rise button on the dash board which was a temporary cure.

I took the car to an auto electrician today, he was able to confirm on the computer that the Merc is sitting on the lowest setting, but there were no fault codes reported with airmatic.

He suspects an airleak from the rear passenger side strut, as he "thought" he could hear air escaping!! I had noticed lately zero damping from this wheel lately, the car lurching when that wheel went over a pot hole.
I jacked the car up and with the engine running sprayed the area but could see no evidence of an air leak, the car was though off the ground!

Another mechanic friend suggested I check the airmatic ATF level, does anyone know where to check this? (My mechanic friend didnt)

He also said to gently pinch the airmatic lines to each strut, if you block the offending strut the car should rise, and if not then the pump is at fault.

Any of you guys out there any ideas on whats best to do??? Dont want to have to face my main Merc dealer just yet.

Any help really appreciated!!

Cheers

[Streetglower]

your friend is an idiot for telling you to check airmatic ATF level. airmatic is "AIR" suspension, no fluid involved. uses air to raise the car. and also ask him how piching the line to the strut is going to raise that strut. the line is how the air gets to the strut. pinching it is going to do nothing. and pinching the lines will damage them, the lines are brittle.

now you could have a faulty compressor. only way to tell is to perform a pnuematic test on the compressor through das. also check the 40A fuse for the compressor, if blown, the compressor needs replacing. you could also have a leaking strut at the rear.

[tgmnewry]

Originally Posted by Streetglower

your friend is an idiot for telling you to check airmatic ATF level. airmatic is "AIR" suspension, no fluid involved. uses air to raise the car. and also ask him how piching the line to the strut is going to raise that strut. the line is how the air gets to the strut. pinching it is going to do nothing. and pinching the lines will damage them, the lines are brittle.

now you could have a faulty compressor. only way to tell is to perform a pnuematic test on the compressor through das. also check the 40A fuse for the compressor, if blown, the compressor needs replacing. you could also have a leaking strut at the rear.

Hi, yip my mechanic friend is a bit of a coyboy! Think his idea was if one of this struts was leaking, by clsoing the airline to it you might see the rest of the car rise a bit, looks to me like a failed main pump!

[Streetglower]

if the pump is failed, the system isnt going to rise. the struts rely on air to fill them. if the pump is shot, there is nothing to pump air through the system and into the struts.

[tnr129]

Ive been having similar probs with my 02 S430. On occassion the rear will be resting on the tires after it sits for a while. Doesn't happen often. Possibly once a week. I can sit in the car for a bit and it will eventually lift up. Had my ttech hook it up to the pc overnight and of course it didn't move at all. I want to get this fixed while still under warrantee but he can't find any leaks or anything. It seems to me the rear always sat a little low anyway. Any ideas?

[eric242340]

Originally Posted by tgmnewry

Hi ya am an owner of an X Reg 2000, S Class 430L.
Over the past few months I have noticed the car slower to rise at the rear. Over the past weekend the car has failed to rise at all. I am now getting today constant red warning messages "Stop Vehicle Level too Low"
Previously when I occasionally got these messages I hit the vehicle rise button on the dash board which was a temporary cure.

I took the car to an auto electrician today, he was able to confirm on the computer that the Merc is sitting on the lowest setting, but there were no fault codes reported with airmatic.

He suspects an airleak from the rear passenger side strut, as he "thought" he could hear air escaping!! I had noticed lately zero damping from this wheel lately, the car lurching when that wheel went over a pot hole.
I jacked the car up and with the engine running sprayed the area but could see no evidence of an air leak, the car was though off the ground!

Another mechanic friend suggested I check the airmatic ATF level, does anyone know where to check this? (My mechanic friend didnt)

He also said to gently pinch the airmatic lines to each strut, if you block the offending strut the car should rise, and if not then the pump is at fault.

Any of you guys out there any ideas on whats best to do??? Dont want to have to face my main Merc dealer just yet.

Any help really appreciated!!

Cheers

This Mechanic may have confused ABC with Airmatic, or maybe he is simply stupid and as for crimping the pipes ( I agree with Streetglower) this man has a bolt misssing in his head.

Now, the rear suspension, in my opinion, almost never developes air leakes. The real problems come with the following.

1. Compressor failure or partial failure.
2. Valve block on top of compressor failure (very common)
3. Valve failure on rear suspension strut (often indicated by DAS) but wrongly.
4. Air leak on front suspension tops (for which there is a modification)

If it is 1 then new compressor.
If it is 2 then new valve block
If it is 3 then new strut (but uncommon)
if it is 4 then do the modification

But however you look at this, if the garage does not have Star Diagnostics and a Mechanic who can interperate the values both in sensor voltage and other tests then dont waste your time and money. Hope this helps

[S500Spot]

Three questions:

1. Does the car keep adjusting itself even when car is off?

2. How many compressors are there? One for the front and one for the back?

3. How do I reset the suspension level settings? I don't have ABC, its an S500.
sport

Thanks

[eric242340]

Originally Posted by S500Spot

Three questions:

1. Does the car keep adjusting itself even when car is off?

2. How many compressors are there? One for the front and one for the back?

3. How do I reset the suspension level settings? I don't have ABC, its an S500.
sport

Thanks

Answers
1. no
2. One and its under the front right behind the fender/bumper
3. Can only be achieved using DAS MB test equipment

[benshaw888]

I had the same problem with my 2000 S500 a few years ago. I understand it's a pretty common problem with the earlier W220s. See if you have an independent Mercedes service in your area instead of a dealer. They changed the airmatic pump in my car for about $$650 including labor; and the problem never appeared again.

[samuel]

i have the back not rising even with press rise button on the dash board but not lower to gives warning. (W220, S320)
Questions
1. if is Compressor partial failure. This is working how to known is partially going.
2. Valve block on top of compressor failure (how to test for this)
3. can it be ride height sensor, and where is it located
4. if the 40A fuse is blown, will the pump still work? where is this fuse located?

Thanks