aroby

My GL450 (1,000 miles) is displaying a malfunction message - no further info, just a picture of the truck with an upward arrow in the center. I ran past the dealer today who said they'd have to book it in to look at it, but it's not significant. Any ideas what this is ?

Anthony

lwain56

Make sure that you didn't accidently move the truck's air-shocks up, (the switch is on the button cluster under the nav screen). You may have been operating the vehicle in the elevated mode and at higher speeds (above 45mph). If this is the case or even if it's not, try depressing the button when in park to become accustomed to the feature (elevating the vehicle in deep snow and then lowering it once in the garage).

MoTorque

I had the exact same problem at only 130 miles and the message stands for Airmatic failure. In addition, mine also had the battery drained down to 5V! The dealer replaced the Airmatic compressor and control module. They blamed the defective control module for discharging the battery, but it happened again yesterday (the car has about 450 miles now). I am so upset and embarassed since this is the second time in a week (that is how long I had the car) that I had to have the roadside assistance come and give me a jumpstart in the garage. My first stop was at Costco where I bought a JumpStarter. I can't believe this is happening.

aroby

Thanks - I'll keep an eye on that. I often hear air being released when I open the door after the car being in the garage all night. It raises and lowers fine using the switch in the car. I'll see if they can fix it next week

Anthony

StevethePilot

I think everyone gets those weird noises when it sounds like the GL's getting excited to go driving because you've opened the door. Those noises appear to be normal. (For a GL, that is)

STP

blittle

Is indeed normal.................

oknish

That I believe is an indicator of malfunction in Airmatic.

carpersn

Aroby,
Watch your dealer and make sure they know your expectations...if you have only 1,000 miles on your GL450, they ought to bend over and take your car in when you arrive, PERIOD. You should NOT have to wait; you did not buy a pre-owned C230 (nothing wrong, no flames please)...

StevethePilot

Thanks for the visual.

aroby

They offered to take it in and give me a loaner. I declined since it was just before Xmas, the kids seats were in the back and I didn't want to be without the car over the holiday.

nantucketsleigh

Sounds like airmatic, if it is i would avoid long trips. My airmatic compressor failed, leaked and shorted out some relays. Rear suspension dropped to point that the GL was only borderline drivable, trailer hitch was hitting the ground on a slight driveway incline.

neodoc

Mine became a "lowrider" at 4500 miles, when the compressor went out and the airmatic deflated up front. I drove it to work the next day and stopped by the dealer on my way home to drop it off. That was a bumpy ride.If I recall correctly, it was a faulty relay that burned out the compressor for the front. And, if I also recall correctly, it was Germancar1's "fault" . See the thread https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-x164/162637-lowrider.html
All kidding aside, problems with the airmatic can really stop you in your tracks. It would be a good idea to get it checked out before you join the lowrider club and have to post in www.lowrider.com instead of here.

mommyonthego

i have a gl320cdi, we have had the airmatic malfunction light up a few times. Twice the service department saw the problem on the computer and said it was fixed. The other times they were unable to see the problem in the computer and therefor said there is not a problem. The car has never driven smoothly since this started. I really want to get my car fixed, my kids get carsick everytime we get in!! Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions?

StevethePilot

Wowzers! My first suggestion is to go to a different dealership. If that's not an option, start moving up the food chain. It can be a pain in the butt, but as long as you document everything you will eventually get some sort of response. My 320's never had an airmatic malfunction and the ride is pretty nice. Nobody gets car sick in my car ... at least not from the ride. Maybe my driving, but not the ride.

Stumblefoot?

someshesha

My truck has been riding rough since the test drive and dealer said nothing! Now I'm learning that it's losing air which it was doing the night I purchased it from Cooks Volkswagen in fallston Maryland! I now have the arrow pointing up with a picture of a truck in the background and it says " malfunction ". What does it cost to fix this problem?