HELP! 03 E500 air suspension issue
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Joined: Nov 2007
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03 E500
HELP! 03 E500 air suspension issue
Hello all, please bear with me i am a newbie both to MB and to these types of mechanical issues...
I purchased a 2003 E500 about 8 months ago, very good condition, 16K miles, garage kepted.
In dec 07 I lowered the car from what i believe where the suspension sensors. Basically we placed a washer/spacer for the front suspension and for the back we lifted the car and adjusted the sensor manually. I put on custom 20" HREs staggered.
Well that was good for about a month when my front left shock went bad, which cost me about $1200 to repair. The car was back to normal after that. A couple months ago i decide to take my wheels off to get them painted. I out on the factory wheels and left the car low. I have noticed that my suspension has gradually dropped more and the "STOP, CAR TOO LOW" light started coming on once in a while. Now the car is REALLY low, and the "STOP, CAR TOO LOW" light is always on. This just started a couple days ago, after i tried to manually bring the car back up. I removed the washers and played around with the sensor in the back, no luck! now the light stays on, car still very low.
What could this be? I doubt, and hope, that all four of my shocks have gone bad. Could it be that i need to reset/callibrate the sensors (computer)? Could it be that its a different process to bring the car back up? PLEASE HELP...i drive a MB but by no means does that mean i have thousands of dollars to shell out for any major repairs....
thank you in advanced.
I purchased a 2003 E500 about 8 months ago, very good condition, 16K miles, garage kepted.
In dec 07 I lowered the car from what i believe where the suspension sensors. Basically we placed a washer/spacer for the front suspension and for the back we lifted the car and adjusted the sensor manually. I put on custom 20" HREs staggered.
Well that was good for about a month when my front left shock went bad, which cost me about $1200 to repair. The car was back to normal after that. A couple months ago i decide to take my wheels off to get them painted. I out on the factory wheels and left the car low. I have noticed that my suspension has gradually dropped more and the "STOP, CAR TOO LOW" light started coming on once in a while. Now the car is REALLY low, and the "STOP, CAR TOO LOW" light is always on. This just started a couple days ago, after i tried to manually bring the car back up. I removed the washers and played around with the sensor in the back, no luck! now the light stays on, car still very low.
What could this be? I doubt, and hope, that all four of my shocks have gone bad. Could it be that i need to reset/callibrate the sensors (computer)? Could it be that its a different process to bring the car back up? PLEASE HELP...i drive a MB but by no means does that mean i have thousands of dollars to shell out for any major repairs....
thank you in advanced.
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I guess you should have fault codes read from the car. I was just wondering if the level sensor range is sufficient when you change the normal level point. The suspension travel "outwards" becomes higher as seen from the sensor, perhaps the sensors do not withstand this?
The sensors are hall-based, dual sensors. This allows a fault being detected. But it is probably impossible to measure with simple tools if they are working.
The sensors are hall-based, dual sensors. This allows a fault being detected. But it is probably impossible to measure with simple tools if they are working.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4
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03 E500
I guess you should have fault codes read from the car. I was just wondering if the level sensor range is sufficient when you change the normal level point. The suspension travel "outwards" becomes higher as seen from the sensor, perhaps the sensors do not withstand this?
The sensors are hall-based, dual sensors. This allows a fault being detected. But it is probably impossible to measure with simple tools if they are working.
The sensors are hall-based, dual sensors. This allows a fault being detected. But it is probably impossible to measure with simple tools if they are working.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
03 E500
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, it's official. I have a bad right fron air shock and a possibly bad pump. DOES ANYONE know where i can get an affordable air shock for my 2003 E500, i really can't aford to dish out $1000 right now? Please PM me if necessary.
