2012 E550

Rear suspension works fine, front does nothing. Worked fine then parked for three weeks do to brake line. Now can't get front end to raise. Tried replacing solenoid valve block, no luck. New to mercedes and could use all the help I can get. Thanks.

BlackML550

Have a good look at the W164 forum. Many airmatic issues covered in detail.

Does your compressor swith on? Rears holding air is not necessarily a sign of anything other than they work. I'd suggest the usual culprit is almost always slow leaking front airbags. If the compressor doesn't engage, assuming all the electrics are fine, start there. You might have slow leaking bags that have overworked the compressor and its fried itself, as happens. The compressor isn't there to inflate the bags. It's function is to keep the system "topped-up" so if you've had leaking bags, and slow leakes, the compressor suffers.

Did you get a "malfunction" warning on the dash? - Thats the compressor.

2012 E550

Yes compressor comes on. Malfunction indicator came on once the first time I tried to start the car, but went away after the 3rd or 4th time starting the car while trying to troubleshoot the problem.

BlackML550

So if the compressor works, have the bags inflated at all? If they're completely flat, it would take the compressor probably 2 minutes or so to inflate them. Does the car lift at all?

You might have cooked the compressor. It sill switches on, but doesn't generate any pressure. You can remove the line between it and the valve block and see if it actually has enough pressure. Scan it also before doing that. Will tell you what systems pressure should be, about 16 bar from memory

2012 E550

I'm going to have to find a way to scan it. All air drained out when I replaced valve block. System filled with air, rear raised. But nothing happened in the front.

BlackML550

OK I didn't realise the compressor works. Is the car on the ground or on a hoist/stands at the front? Id look at the ride height sensors. They are the determining component for ride height and they trigger the compressor. I changed my front bags and they wouldn't inflate because I didn't have the tyres on the ground. The ride height sensors thought they were inflated. I'd start there if only to rule them out. Most of the time you have to work out what works to find what doesn't. Also, maybe a soapy water test on the valve block to make sure the lines are attached tightly.

BTW was the valve block a name part or chinesium? The cheap ebay ones are pretty unreliable from all reports.

konigstiger

Revisit valve replacement, check for leaks. All fine, find someone with Xentry to erase stored codes, pull current, and/or if need be reestablish system pressure.

2012 E550

Yeah car is on the ground. quality block, did the soap test on it after I got the same results as the factory one. I'm going to pull the lines in the front and see if there getting any air supplied. I really don't think they are. I will inspect the ride height sensors while I'm there. What is the chance that both of them go out at the same time? I'm leaning towards sensor or electrical. Something must not be telling the valve block to send air to the front.

2012 E550

I'm going to find someone with the software. Thanks for the attachments I will look them over.