Airmatic Raising and Lowering with Door Locks

Jun 21, 2016 | 09:30 AM

McCloudsZJ

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2003 W211 E500

Airmatic Raising and Lowering with Door Locks

Took my 2003 E500 to an independent shop to have Tele Aid set to Not Present to get rid of the malfunction message. After leaving it there for a day, the shop was unable to disable it and now I have an Airmatic malfunction prompting a 'Visit Workshop" message.

All four struts are less than a month old, and were replaced with OEM parts. I let it sit for 24 hours and ride height didn't change. However... when I lock the car it drops ~35mm. Unlocking it raises the car back to its original height without the pump coming on or starting the car. From what little I've read, the locks and Airmatic shouldn't have anything to do with each other in the E500. The closest MB dealership is 70 miles away, and I'm not comefortable making the drive if it's really broken. I ordered a scanner that should be here in two days and I'll pull all of the malfunction codes. But until then, any ideas?

Jun 21, 2016 | 03:52 PM

McCloudsZJ

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2003 W211 E500

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plutoe

Dear epiphany---it better be a factory or equal scanner, because the problem is not related to emissions and therefore most if not all

I'm going to assume the rest of your comment was supposed to be something like "most if not all scanners you can buy are totally and completely useless. Buy Xentry and a C4 or I'll never speak to you again, peasent."

It's an iCarSoft MBII. It specifically designed to work on Benz's. It can access all of the MB specific modules and code. Including Airmatic. It can read/clear all of the non OBD codes, but can not change any of the parameters like full-blown STAR. It also says it works for changing brake pads. I've only found four or five people that have tried it. I'll be sure to let everyone know how well it works.

It sounds nice on paper, but it's also $200 and Chinese. If it can read Airmatic codes one time, it paid for itself. If not, I'll tow it to the dealership.

Jun 21, 2016 | 04:34 PM

McCloudsZJ

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2003 W211 E500

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plutoe

The key word was\is "factory or equal" therefore I am waiting with baited breath the results of your scan and how much depth it has to help resolve your problem other than fault code C2167(my dogs birthday)!!

Factory has no equal (that I know of?). The only thing that might be close is the DRB3 that came about during the awkward Daimler/Chrysler courtship. I know it can do the majority of the stuff STAR can on the Sprinters, and have seen it used on an old C Class. I know what it's capable of some really neat stuff on Chryslers. But it's discontinued and $3,000+.

I've seen a couple other options mentioned, but they're sketchy, discontinued, or just don't work.

Jun 24, 2016 | 08:37 PM

McCloudsZJ

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2003 W211 E500

My new whiz-bang scan tool showed up today. It's not the most impressive by a long shot but for being $200 and Chinese, I'll take it. I've had a grand total of 30 seconds of free time to play with it. I got to scan the code and that's about it.

This is the Airmatic DTC I'm getting:

Some live data:

Still have lots of reading to do. I think I'm going to start here:

Jun 25, 2016 | 12:01 AM

McCloudsZJ

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2003 W211 E500

I need an FSM. The 190 page repair manual isn't going to cut it.

Jun 27, 2016 | 01:54 PM

wjcandee

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From: NYC and LI

2004 Mercedes E500, 2008 Mercedes ML350

My car absolutely "wakes up" and rises when you unlock the doors. 2004 E500 4matic.

Jun 27, 2016 | 02:47 PM

McCloudsZJ

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2003 W211 E500

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjcandee

My car absolutely "wakes up" and rises when you unlock the doors. 2004 E500 4matic.

Indeed. Looks like that functionality is definitely built in. I just hadn't noticed (or it didn't work) before. Sorry for the bad pictures. There's lots of sun today.