GCODE

Hi all,

My 2006 S430 (113k miles) "Airmatic, Visit Workshop" alert recently came on and then subsequently "Airmatic issue, please stop driving" alert came on. However, my car is still lifted up. It is not riding low at all. There is a full 5 inches in between the wheel and the car body.

Last year, I got the motor pump replaced. Any idea what this might be?

wallyp

First guess would be a bad connection on a ride height sensor, or a faulty sensor. There are two sensors on the front, one on the back. For the front sensors, look at the forward end of the upper part of the suspension. Make certain that the connectors are firmly plugged in.

Hooking up a STAR system will tell you what the car thinks is the problem.

radwon

I have the same problem on my 2000 S500. When I turn off the car it lowers until it touches the tires. But when I turn it on it rises. Only the front of the car lowers. What could it be ?

cybertronicify

You either have a leak in the rear struts/pumping or the valve block is damaged. Since your car raises, your pump is working for now. Until you burn it out by making it run excessively.

Skylaw

With the front struts going down, the leak is most likely in them, or in the valve block as you say. With both fronts going down, I would guess the valve block; leaks (or absence thereof) can be verified with a soapy water test atop the front struts (the most common place for leaks).

GCODE

Wallyp you were right in your prognosis.

The dealer called and said I had a bad front right level sensor. They want $500 for a repair. Any alternatives? Or is that a good price?

wallyp

The sensor is available at prices ranging from $13 used on eBay to well under $100 from some of our vendors. DIY installation is pretty simple.


If you can't do the installation yourself (includes jacking the car and removing the wheel), then your choices are a dealer or an independent garage.


I do my own repairs, so I would never pay $500 for a one-hour DIY installation of a $75 part...

OBEY leban

I have a mercedes cls500 and my car has dropped on all four corners...I really don't know if it's my air compressor or a relay. My airmatic button doesn't even engage anymore....I think I overworked my pump by simultaneously touching sports 1 and 2.

rdoty

For what it's worth a year ago I noticed the left (driver) rear on my 2004 S430 was sagging. It seemed to raise into position after driving it but in the garage it sagged. Took it to the dealer and they diagnosed it as a bad strut and put in a new one $1000+, A few days later I noticed it sagging again. This time they diagnosed the valve that controls that strut and replaced it. Problem fixed. $350 more. The point is that some of these "bad strut" problems may just be the control valve.

Conchasjim

S430 with the service airmatic warning. The problem started when the pump came on when I parked, and didn't turn off. Smelled asomething burning after 10 minutes, but before I could find the fuse or relay it stopped. Checked the relay and looked for any blown fuse. All looked fine. So I ordered a new Arnot pump. Before installing the new pump, I put 12v to the proper connector and it didn't run. So, I thought maybe my power supply wouldn't put out enough current so I went ahead with the installation. It's a pretty easy install. Started the car, went for a drive and tried to raise the vehicle. Nothing. Still with the service warning. My car is at the proper height now for 5 days. Hasn't dropped at all. . I also checked the old pump and couldn't get it to run either.
When pulling fuses now I have a second malfunction. Service coolant. UGH....
Does anyone have some ideas on what to do or check at this point?

wallyp

First, it is almost a certainty that the Airmatic relay failed, so a new relay is the first step.

Second, exactly what do the warnings say?

Conchasjim

Wallyp, The warnings are, Airmatic Visit workshop, in grey. Second Coolant visit workshop, and now the yellow check engine light came on. I pulled the 40 amp fuses and all good, also pulled a couple of the smaller ones in the same passenger side box. I'm thinking that's what caused the coolant warning to come on? I also swapped the relays, and checked them with an ohm meter and applied 12v and both did click on. I suppose it's possible I got a defective pump. Next step is to check voltage at the pump and maybe apply 12v to the pump motor and see if it runs?