First AIRMATIC issue, rear compressor not turning on
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 352
Likes: 12
From: Worcester, MA
15' CLS400
First AIRMATIC issue, rear compressor not turning on
So I've done a good share of work on these cars in terms of engines etc but never the AIRMATIC system. Over the last 3 days I noticed a couple things, now becoming a problem.
1: the sport/comfort button works but the rise button stopped working.
2: I just noticed the rear seemed low. Not on the ground yet but the tires are right at the wheel well now.
no errors have come up on the dash.
where to start? Is there a good thread or site to follow? Been looking around.
I checked the fuses.
Thanks!
1: the sport/comfort button works but the rise button stopped working.
2: I just noticed the rear seemed low. Not on the ground yet but the tires are right at the wheel well now.
no errors have come up on the dash.
where to start? Is there a good thread or site to follow? Been looking around.
I checked the fuses.
Thanks!
Last edited by TechSuperstar; Oct 6, 2023 at 05:37 PM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 220
Likes: 89
From: Chicagoland
Schwinn
Hi, I don’t think the rear has its own air compressor. I believe it only has one for the whole airmatic suspension.
On my car the rears will sag after a couple of days especially if it’s cold outside but I was told the rear sir springs are leaking slightly. But unlike yours on mine all the buttons work so you should have a fault code for the system stored hopefully.
Is it just the rears or are the fronts low too?
It is very possible that your compressor is not working enough to fill all 4 bags up and is about to go our completely.
Just trying to help stabbing at all the things. It could also be a supply like busted that goes from compressor to rears.
Good luck
On my car the rears will sag after a couple of days especially if it’s cold outside but I was told the rear sir springs are leaking slightly. But unlike yours on mine all the buttons work so you should have a fault code for the system stored hopefully.
Is it just the rears or are the fronts low too?
It is very possible that your compressor is not working enough to fill all 4 bags up and is about to go our completely.
Just trying to help stabbing at all the things. It could also be a supply like busted that goes from compressor to rears.
Good luck
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 352
Likes: 12
From: Worcester, MA
15' CLS400
So after reading a bit and speaking with the tech Im a bit more educated.. I thought the issue was rear specific because that's where I usually hear the compressor. Now I know the compressor for the whole car is at the back. I can still here the compressor but the rear (both sides) are low. The tech told me that the compressor feeds into a block and that sometimes gets clogged. Anyway, I just dropped it off at the dealer today (Sunday) even though my appt isn't till Thursday since if I wait till then I'll have to tow it. I'll know the issue at the end of the week.
oh BTW I looked at the parts diagram and it looks like there is a filter but I don't see anything about ever having to change it?!
Answer to come at the end of the week
oh BTW I looked at the parts diagram and it looks like there is a filter but I don't see anything about ever having to change it?!
Answer to come at the end of the week
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 352
Likes: 12
From: Worcester, MA
15' CLS400
Reporting back, I drove it to the dealer before the rear was bottoming out, gotta say it felt real weird bouncing around the road 
.. dealer said it was the Compressor and wanted $1500 for replacement. Not sure why the back starts sagging way quicker than the front. Oh well.
.. dealer said it was the Compressor and wanted $1500 for replacement. Not sure why the back starts sagging way quicker than the front. Oh well.
