Check Engine Light
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 50
Likes: 3
From: Somewhere deep in Florida
2003 E500, 52k miles
Check Engine Light
So my rear air suspension dropped a few weeks ago and I got the "Stop, Car Too Low" warning. I drove the back roads home that night, about 6 miles and kept speed no more than 40-45 mph. Arrived home fine. I usually take the Expressway to work at about 70mph. Day later the rear air shocks rose up back to normal and the warning light was gone - it seemed to self-correct and running perfect. However, my check engine light came on and my guess it's related to my air suspension system somehow, still runs smooth and fast with only 55k original miles on the car. I thought it might be a faulty voltage regulator but unsure at this point. I know it starts right up and runs fantastically. Maybe a trip to Autozone for a scan is next. 2003 E500, one owner, 55k.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 50
Likes: 3
From: Somewhere deep in Florida
2003 E500, 52k miles
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
If you're too cheap to spend $61, at least spend $27 and get a code reader that will just read CEL lights, the one above will also read MB specific codes in addition to CEL lights, might even give you insight to you air suspension problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 1,012
'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
Part of my reply got cutoff and what I was going to add...
Often users struggle with Airmatic "leaks" and determining the source. The rear air springs are super common, at this age and higher mileage, and are impossible to check without removing. Replacement is preventative maintenance and will help cut down diagnoses time.
I agree with cetialpha5 a code reader should be standard today equipment for a DIY'er... like a socket set. A MB specific reader, example iCarsoft MBII is $200 and very good. Next step up would be factory scan tool clone, Xentry + Multiplexer for $600-1000.
People are just cheap... they don't even want to spend the $10-15 for factory service data, which is worth hundreds if not thousands of dollars in information.
Often users struggle with Airmatic "leaks" and determining the source. The rear air springs are super common, at this age and higher mileage, and are impossible to check without removing. Replacement is preventative maintenance and will help cut down diagnoses time.
I agree with cetialpha5 a code reader should be standard today equipment for a DIY'er... like a socket set. A MB specific reader, example iCarsoft MBII is $200 and very good. Next step up would be factory scan tool clone, Xentry + Multiplexer for $600-1000.
People are just cheap... they don't even want to spend the $10-15 for factory service data, which is worth hundreds if not thousands of dollars in information.
