benz_addict

post 18 picture shows the part number.

5 Second job is correct.

chibial

ty. off to the dealer i go.

benzman25

It's time for a re-call. You are not the only one suffering from this "built-in" failure on the MB. Read the threads! search AIRMATIC in the search engine and your eyes will fall out! I have an "03 S500" with 70 thousand miles on it. A car that costs what this one does should not fail under 100-150k at least! You should go on the NHTSA website and post a complaint. I hear that's the only way to get them to force MBUSA to issue a re-call. In this economy, at this time, why should we have to "prepare" to pay for something that should not be happening in the first place?

I am taking mine tomorrow to the local dealer tomorrow because mine is low, "AIRMATIC WARNING" on the dash, and everything I have read about this problem seems to be geared to an "UNPLANNED" service call to the local "STEALER"!

brenner

Is this problem restricted to US models? I live 6 months per year in Germany, and don't hear much about airmatic leaks.... I have a 2002 S320CDI (diesel), I've only had the Relay go bad. I just ordered 3 more (spares) here for $12.95 each...Not sure if they are the right ones, will see when they get here.

tucker3434

This is the one thing that scares me about this car. I have a feeling that the car will run forever aside from the airmatic system. The car has already had the control module replaced at 30k miles. I really hope it won't be an issue.

Sandollars

Which Fuse block is the relay located in?

PlatinumEdition

passenger side i think?

anyone know which relay it is there is roughly 5 on the passenger side with one being green....

Skylaw

Sandollars, welcome to the forum. You don't tell us your model year - which would be helpful (as would the continent you live on).

There are fuse diagrams for the '01 at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...e-chart-2.html and http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...e-diagram.html.

If your car isn't an '01, the '01 charts are probably OK, since the major fuses and relays don't move much from year to year in the same class.

Your fuse chart is normally wrapped around one of the tools - often the screwdriver - in the tool kit in your spare tire well. It may have been removed, and placed in your owners manual packet.

cameraman123

Now whats odd..... in accordance to MBUSA's reply to NHTSA, when Airmatic fails there is no rubbing or loss of steering to the car.... looks like somebody LIED. Please report this to this NHTSA.

Mark_K

What is the part number for the Upgrade kit?

For that matter, what is the actual name of the kit?
When I go into speak with my SA what should I be asking for?

OK so by stealer is asking $119.00 for each kit, one for right front and one for left front.
That's just for the parts not labor.

Dont we have to do the back also?

bert213

OK guys, I've gotta bring this thread back to life...as I just became an owner of an '01 s500 with 114k miles.

The car was well serviced by the previous owner. At 72k, he had the pump and relay replaced.

Should I now worry about the seals, or struts? Educate me.

Thanks.

tusabes

If you arent noticing any problems or dropped suspension after a few days of the car sitting undriven, no there is nothing to be concerned about. And there is no maintenance you need to do unless you are experiencing a problem.

If you do notice the suspension dropping after the car sits, spray some soapy water on the tops of the shock towers in the engine compartment and look for air bubbles.

djamer

Although I don't own a S Class, I do have an SL w/ Active Body Control which is equally troublesome as the airmatic suspension system.

I did report my failure to the NHTSA via online safety complaint. It hasn't resulted in any actions yet, but, each time my ABC pump goes out, or leak occurs for some unknown reason, and the dealer tells me 'yeah we know about that', i log it w/ NHTSA to create awareness and attention.

Speaking with almost every SL owner I know, they have personally experienced either a leak in the strut or blown valve. I agree for such expensive cars, it's uncalled for, especially some owners only drive the cars less than 10K a year. The air-matic and ABC designs are flawed and MBUSA should make a fix and not just provide a band-aid because even new ABC pumps and valves are likely to go bad.

The only way NHTSA will take action is if enough owners complain and provide their experiences.

Good luck, and be safe out there

amer

gaazmon

The ABC (hydraulic) vs airmatic (pnuematic) has A LOT bigger chance of failing. In regards to airmatic, it's no where near as bad as the ABC stories. That is why the ABC has had recalls vs the airmatic never has. if i remember correctly the problem with the early airmatic systems (at least on the 03 and some 04 E's) was the rubber that they used. The rubber would develop leaks causing the pump to work extra hard vs with ABC there have been w215 CL's catching on fire due to the defects. And luckily, in regards to airmatic, you can buy a refurbished strut here (you S class guys are even luckier since they sell a rear one too vs the with the E/CLS they only have the front and they are even making a coil over conversion for the RWD W220):

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...18_pid126.html

in all honesty i don't think airmatic is here to stay, but ABC is another story IMO.

flva2000

Yes the Rear do fail..mine just did last night ..03 S430 4matic

idahombz

rear failed and replaced at 88k miles, 2001 S500!!

DrewSclass

I also recommend Arnott for getting rebuilt airmatic suspensions.
Both left and right sides have failed over my 10 years of owning my car.
For the price you can not beat them. I think they charge around $500-$600 for a rebuilt one and you send back the core and get a $100 credit back.
Had our local Mercedes mechanic put it for cheap. It been working fine with no issues. Do not go to the benz dealer to get this done...they will rip you off and probably just use a rebuilt one anyway.

neeraj152

Hi
My mercedes s 500 2003 has leakage in both rear suspension. Thinking of converting it to spring suspension from arnott industries. If someone had already coverted it. Than pls let me know if its good and most important how the ride quality is or should i convert it to arnotts air suspension. If i have to convert it to air suspension, then i would like to know how arnott's suspension are means are they durable. I read about arnott's limited lifetime warranty but they are no giving lifetime warranty

Nk

tusabes

Better to replace with Arnott air struts
Lots of ppl here have them and very happy

If you convert to spring you have to do all 4
Ride is good and no more air problems but costs $$$$

neeraj152

Thanks for reply. but i saw in arnotts website, the price for air and the spring struts, they are same. I guess i should be changing it to spring ones in order to get out of air troubles, even though i think the ride quality will never be the same plus they only give limited life time warranty on air suspension.

xerxes1

Guys~

My '02 s500 has this same Airmatic problem too. When the enigine is off it lowers itself nearly to the ground; however, when I turn the engine over it will raise itself to a normal level. But what bothers me is that sometime when I'm driving, I get a "Stop, Car Too Low" message on my DIC. Whats up with this? I'm seeing a lot of MB owners like myself with this Airmatic problem---is a recall in order from Stuttgart? Anyway, anyone has any answers on my situation? Thanks...

Skylaw

You have a leak in your system, xerxes1, and it is overstressing the airmatic pump and may cause it to fail. See the Airmatic discussions at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...tart-here.html

neeraj152

HI
I have o3 s500 4matic. I m thinking of converting it to coil springs from arnott industries. Can anybody tell me how the ride quality is if somebody did air to coil conversions and which is the best one.

39monster

Does everyone go with what the SA indicates and do the colonoscopy thing for airbags if dealer indicates bad and replace both on rear.?? Does the bag have a hole or could it be a seal which doesn't cost $900.

tusabes

No most of us do not just say yes to whatever the service advisor says

We get Arnott struts with a lifetime guarantee and gave a fair independent mechanic install them