Front of car drops when not running. airmatic, no air leaks

Old Apr 5, 2024 | 04:54 PM
  #1  
get_your_goat's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 30
Likes: 4
From: Tampa Bay
2014 CLS550
Front of car drops when not running. airmatic, no air leaks

I already posted this in a Facebook group but I'm looking for more input.

I have an interesting airmatic problem. Front end of the car lowers slowly and evenly over time (12+ hours) when the batteries are connected. It'll drop to a certain level and stop. It will not bottom out to the bump stops.

When batteries were disconnected for 36 hours the car maintained it's height. I also sprayed soapy water on all the air line connections. There are no air leaks. Both battery voltages check out and airmatic appears to operate properly when the engine is running.

I'm leaning toward intermittent height sensors or wiring but looking for additional opinions before I start replacing parts.

Anyone have a similar issue? I don't have a diagnostic computer to cycle the airmatic or ping the sensors so I can't diagnose much further.

Thanks! (Pic from tail of the dragon in Tennessee, USA)

Reply
Old Apr 8, 2024 | 02:58 PM
  #2  
DigitalDisaster's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 223
Likes: 82
From: Phoenix, AZ
2013 Weistec 540/715 tuned CLS 550, 2008 E350, and '07 Jaguar S-Type R
Sorry nobody is replying - this site is seeing very little traffic.
My 2013 CLS550 w/61K miles has started dropping all the way down in the rear after sitting for a couple days - but only sometimes(!) It can sit for several days and not drop at all. No codes, no sound of escaping air.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2024 | 10:13 PM
  #3  
get_your_goat's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 30
Likes: 4
From: Tampa Bay
2014 CLS550
Originally Posted by DigitalDisaster
Sorry nobody is replying - this site is seeing very little traffic.
My 2013 CLS550 w/61K miles has started dropping all the way down in the rear after sitting for a couple days - but only sometimes(!) It can sit for several days and not drop at all. No codes, no sound of escaping air.
Replace both rear bags. I had the same issue last year and it was leaking from the connection to the bags. I could wiggle the connection and the leak would be intermittent. You can probably fix it by replacing the o-rings but then you would be reinstalling 10-year-old bags that will probably begin to leak again next year anyway.

As for my problem now, I ordered both height sensors and will replace them next week. I will report back with my results for the benefit of the group.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2024 | 10:21 PM
  #4  
DigitalDisaster's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 223
Likes: 82
From: Phoenix, AZ
2013 Weistec 540/715 tuned CLS 550, 2008 E350, and '07 Jaguar S-Type R
Thanks for the update. My car is going in Wednesday and will probably have the cam position sensor housings leaks addressed also $$$$
I guess it's the price to pay to drive a cool car. Just spent $5K on my wife's Jag a few months ago. Sometimes a Toyota Camry sounds good. Sometimes
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2024 | 05:49 PM
  #5  
get_your_goat's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 30
Likes: 4
From: Tampa Bay
2014 CLS550
Originally Posted by DigitalDisaster
Thanks for the update. My car is going in Wednesday and will probably have the cam position sensor housings leaks addressed also $$$$
I guess it's the price to pay to drive a cool car. Just spent $5K on my wife's Jag a few months ago. Sometimes a Toyota Camry sounds good. Sometimes

I wouldn't own one of these cars if I couldn't do my own work. Like you said, super $$$. I still have to contend with the prices of parts, but the labor is all mine!
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2024 | 02:30 PM
  #6  
DigitalDisaster's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 223
Likes: 82
From: Phoenix, AZ
2013 Weistec 540/715 tuned CLS 550, 2008 E350, and '07 Jaguar S-Type R
Took my car to Eurocar and since the rear is holding air and there's no codes, they can't do anything about the suspension issue. Fortunately, they found a timing chain cover oil leak, a radiator leak (or at least calcium buildup on one side tank), and are doing the 60K Service B trans fluid change, all for $2500 so far. I'm willing to bet that while my car sits there for 3 days, the rear will drop and they'll be into me for another $2K when they replace rear air springs : )
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2024 | 04:03 PM
  #7  
DigitalDisaster's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 223
Likes: 82
From: Phoenix, AZ
2013 Weistec 540/715 tuned CLS 550, 2008 E350, and '07 Jaguar S-Type R
Well, the car never dropped. These guys are honest, saying they didn't want to replace the rear airsprings without proof they are bad. Most shops would have replaced them without a second thought. Anyone in the Phoenix area, Eurocar has earned my business - they did a great job at a reasonable price and returned my car clean
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2024 | 06:33 PM
  #8  
get_your_goat's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 30
Likes: 4
From: Tampa Bay
2014 CLS550
I promised an update:

The height sensors did not fix the problem. I once again disconnected the batteries, this time leaving the car for 3 days. It did not drop, so it verifies there are no air leaks.

I'll have to bring the car in to have someone diagnose the system to see if it's a wiring or controller issue.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 5, 2024 | 09:42 PM
  #9  
get_your_goat's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 30
Likes: 4
From: Tampa Bay
2014 CLS550
Update:

Interesting development. I started parking on the other side of my driveway and my problem seems to have stopped. I think what's happening is the entry to my driveway is inclined and pulling in is upsetting the airmatic as it tries to compensate. I noticed that my driver's side front tire is abnormally high when I park. I think what happens is that the passenger side has equally low air. The car deflates the driver's side until it's equal with the passenger side. It ends up being low. Moving to the opposite side of the driveway for some reason isn't upsetting the suspension as much. I haven't the slightest why this problem just started presenting itself but I can find no more issues with the car.

Ah well, money saved
Reply
Old May 6, 2024 | 01:49 PM
  #10  
DigitalDisaster's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 223
Likes: 82
From: Phoenix, AZ
2013 Weistec 540/715 tuned CLS 550, 2008 E350, and '07 Jaguar S-Type R
Interesting. My car has yet to drop, although it rarely sits for more than 3 days. I was working in the garage the other day when the rear purge valve suddenly vented very briefly - weird. The car had not been moved for days.
Glad your car (and mine) is doing well for the time being : )
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:51 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE