Airmatic problem
08-01-2016, 08:55 AM
#1
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Airmatic problem
My C200 has developed a fault with the airmatic suspension, no matter which mode is set the suspension is rock hard (maybe rear only difficult to tell) going over any uneven surface sends a jolt through the seat making it very uncomfortable. Suspect it's a damping problem, any ideas. No error messages and raising and lowering work ok.
08-01-2016, 01:22 PM
#2
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c400 4matic
my first thought is of the impending repair bill. the sales guy actually talked me out of airmatic because of costly repairs. Here's hoping it's just a glitch. Merlin the grandwizard!
08-01-2016, 05:17 PM
#4
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I've owned AirMatic cars exclusively since 2007. Definitely want it under warranty the entire time you own it. Doesn't sound like a failure in your case. Typically you'll come out one morning and the thing will be a low rider. Either an air strut develops a leak, or the compressor burns out, or both. It'll always give you a warning on the dash.
I'd get it on for a diagnosis on STAR. The ride height can be adjusted an inch or so by the software.
I'd get it on for a diagnosis on STAR. The ride height can be adjusted an inch or so by the software.
08-02-2016, 05:39 AM
#5
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08-02-2016, 05:42 AM
#6
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I've owned AirMatic cars exclusively since 2007. Definitely want it under warranty the entire time you own it. Doesn't sound like a failure in your case. Typically you'll come out one morning and the thing will be a low rider. Either an air strut develops a leak, or the compressor burns out, or both. It'll always give you a warning on the dash.
I'd get it on for a diagnosis on STAR. The ride height can be adjusted an inch or so by the software.
I'd get it on for a diagnosis on STAR. The ride height can be adjusted an inch or so by the software.
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08-02-2016, 08:46 AM
#8
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AirMatic is an air spring in place of a steel coil on an otherwise standard passively dampened hydraulic strut. Any active dampening is happening when impacts momentarily force air from the bag and the system reacts by quickly replacing the air from a pressurized reservoir. The effect is a momentary "give" in the stiffness of the strut/bag assembly as the air is vented.
A sensor failure will both throw an error and make itself obvious by dropping the affected corner up front, or the entire rear. A controller failure will also throw an error and won't respond correctly, or respond at all, to the lift command.
If the ride height is level at all corners, the car responds to a lift command and to agility commands and there are no warning messages between the speedo and tach, the system is functioning normally.
A sensor failure will both throw an error and make itself obvious by dropping the affected corner up front, or the entire rear. A controller failure will also throw an error and won't respond correctly, or respond at all, to the lift command.
If the ride height is level at all corners, the car responds to a lift command and to agility commands and there are no warning messages between the speedo and tach, the system is functioning normally.
08-02-2016, 10:21 AM
#9
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Except in my case whichever agility mode I'm in the suspension feels rock hard, harder then sport mode. Driving at night as well as being shaken about on poor roads you can see the effect on the headlight beam bouncing.
08-02-2016, 10:31 AM
#10
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Forgot to add, when I first had this problem it was intermittent and could be corrected by switching off ignition and re starting.
08-02-2016, 11:23 AM
#12
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08-02-2016, 02:11 PM
#13
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If nothing comes up on the scan, put the SA and tech in the back seat and take them around the block.
If you're outside the car and start from the raised (lift) position, then toggle Agility thru Comfort/Sport/Sport + can you see the car lowering itself? I have an AirMatic car too. Take a pic of the gap between the top of the rear wheels and the fender lip at each setting and I'll see if it's the same on mine. If it's able to raise and lower I wonder if you don't have a blown strut cartridge in the rear.
If you're outside the car and start from the raised (lift) position, then toggle Agility thru Comfort/Sport/Sport + can you see the car lowering itself? I have an AirMatic car too. Take a pic of the gap between the top of the rear wheels and the fender lip at each setting and I'll see if it's the same on mine. If it's able to raise and lower I wonder if you don't have a blown strut cartridge in the rear.
08-02-2016, 02:21 PM
#15
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BMW e89 Z4 sDrive 35i & MB S205 C200 AMG Premium Plus
I've owned AirMatic cars exclusively since 2007. Definitely want it under warranty the entire time you own it. Doesn't sound like a failure in your case. Typically you'll come out one morning and the thing will be a low rider. Either an air strut develops a leak, or the compressor burns out, or both. It'll always give you a warning on the dash.
I'd get it on for a diagnosis on STAR. The ride height can be adjusted an inch or so by the software.
I'd get it on for a diagnosis on STAR. The ride height can be adjusted an inch or so by the software.
Hmm thought so.. Mb's own literature conflicts with your facts a bit..
https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mer...ension-system/
Last edited by ManiacGT; 08-02-2016 at 05:00 PM.
08-02-2016, 07:09 PM
#17
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Originally Posted by ManiacGT
Hmm thought so.. Mb's own literature conflicts with your facts a bit..
https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mer...ension-system/
https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mer...ension-system/
Last edited by Mike5215; 08-02-2016 at 08:25 PM.
08-02-2016, 09:14 PM
#22
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In the 220/221 the compressor failure usually came as the result of an air leak in a strut. The leak caused the compressor to have to run continuously and burn itself out. Was yours just a straight compressor failure or did you need a strut too?
08-03-2016, 12:28 AM
#24
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Yeah there's a reservoir that it uses to accumulate pressurized air so it can be shot on command into the air springs as needed.
Normally the compressor runs for short bursts to top off the reservoir. I've never had one just go bad like that but any things possible.
Normally the compressor runs for short bursts to top off the reservoir. I've never had one just go bad like that but any things possible.
