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Last year, my brother, who lives in the same state as my elderly parents, and has a vehicle lift, replaced the air pump, control valve, and the front and rear air springs on their 2006 E500 2wd. For 6 months all seemed to be good, but at some point, according to my folks, if not driven for a few days or so, would sometimes, but not always, loose height, sometimes the front, sometimes left rear, sometimes right rear, and a few times all four (4) corners would be down. Once started, it would raise and stay up. It wasn't until the AIRmatic malfunction warning came on that they had my brother scan it and got: 5340 y54/1 (AIRmatic valve unit, right rear suspension strut) Y54/1y2 (Level valve) : Open circuit, that he was unable to clear. They have other vehicles, so the E500 sat in the garage for two (2) months and it remained up and level, as best they could tell. Feeling adventurous, my parents drove it, to visit us last month, without issue. They are still will me till the Virus concerns lessen. ALL THAT BEING SAID, I figured I would investigate myself while the E500 is here. When I scan, I get the same 5340 y54/1 (AIRmatic valve unit, right rear suspension strut) Y54/1y2 (Level valve) : Open circuit. When I looked at the connections etc., it seems the connector to the right rear air spring has a broken/missing clip and/or something is amiss, as it is easy to disconnect. Is there a way to better secure it, to see if that connection is indeed the reason for the malfunction code and/or can I purchase the connector? I have tried to located a part number but have been unsuccessful. Thanks in advance for any assistance.
My brother looked/listed/soap sprayed for leaks and didn't find any at that time, plus, the E500 had sat in their garage for almost two (2) months without lowering any significant amount, if any. But I will certainly take another look to be safe.
I had read in another post, somewhere when another person had this same issue and fault codes and someone replied with checking what I believe is called the REAR AXLE MULTIPLE CIRCUIT JUNCTION CONNECTOR of the level sensor, located in the LR wheel well as pictured. They provided a PDF of the MBZ manual, but it doesn't say how to determine if it is the cause, or how to test and/or repair it. I tried to look up on an OEM MBZ dealers parts page, but was unable to find the this part.
I have gotten the open circuit code before even though it was not faulty. Ended up being a cut wire in the front wiring harness near the air pump. I patched the wire and the codes went away. Maybe this could be an issue.
By all means check revisit right rear electrical connector/connection/harness and hose/volume chamber. Worst case scenario internal solenoid failure, you can attempt a function test by utilizing suspension tuning to see if it holds height overnight across settings: comfort (vehicle lowers slightly when locked), sport 1 & 2.
While there were issues with their E500 not staying level, it has been staying level for the past few months. I have put it in "raised" mode, and it stays at that level while driving, and when parked overnight. I am not suspecting an air leak via an air-line, but wondering if when it was having troubles maintaining ride height, that is was a malfunctioning valve or something that was letting/allowing air to be released from the system perviously, I have not clue, I don't have any personal vehicles with AIRmatic, so it's uncharted territory for me, so any tips are much appreciated!
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