Airmatic Woes
 

My 2003 E500 Airmatic died. The rear is dragging and put blocks in the suspension and drove it slowly to my local garage. He's a nice, honest, and capable mechanic but doesn't have much experience with MB Airmatic problems. He found that the compressor is working and there are no leaks but the air springs won't go up. Air is going to the air spring units. He doesn't have access to Star and doesn't know if the computer is telling the air springs not to fill up with air or if they need replacement. Is there a sequence to go thru the Command unit?

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

PS I've searched some of the old threads that are similar but I need some specifics.

Airsprings can lead where the fold is at the bottom of the spring making it hard to find. There is also the possibility of air leak on the accumulator inside the right rear fender. There is a line that attaches to it that sometimes can have a problem at the attaching point. IF both sides leak down I would suspect the line to the accumulator, if just one you have a failed air spring. In any case two new arnott rear air spring swill solve the problem or you can do as I did and pay the $4000+ to have the rear diff pulled and factory airbags installed. We all learn from our errors.

Thanks vettdvr. I'm going to see them roday and I'll relay the info. I will most likely be replacing the air springs with Arnott units.

My mechanic said he tried blowing air into the air springs but it won't go in. Does anyone know if the computer is controlling the air that goes into the air springs? Can it be the level sensor that is preventing the air springs from letting air into them?

sds, control unit view, chasis, airmatic/suspension, guided tests, pnueamatic test for air compressor......

STAR is what you need!

Anyone know of someone with STAR in the Northern NJ area? Hopefully, someone who can travel to the car?

Okay, I brought the car somewhere else and he hooked it up to his STAR and found codes.

5350 A91Y1 - Airmatic Pressure Release Valve Open Circuit

5501 - Lower Rear Axel

Mechanic doesn't want to touch it since he feels he doesn't have enough experience with it. I give him credit for being honest and not trying to throw parts at the car without knowing what he is doing.

The front of the car is fine but the rear is sagging and won't raise to proper height.

Any suggestions or ideas?

Buy some coilovers and E350 rear lower control arms....