Airmatic Malfuntion Message
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
Airmatic Malfuntion Message
Ok just got one of these while picking my kids up from school. Joy! My question is my dealer is over 2 hours away, can I drive it there or should I have it towed? The manual says 50 mph max. That should be fun on a freeway, LOL! Any, just wanted your opinions. Thanks!!
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From: B.C.
GL 320cdi, Chevrolet Avalanchero, GLE 350 (on order)
You have such rotten luck. If it is stuck "high" I would take it easy, if the ride height seems low or normal, and handling seems ok, I would drive it at traffic speeds. Most lowering kits just trick airmatic anyway, so I don't see how that would be different.
Actually, I would just claim a no-start condidtion and have MB pay for a flatbed.....
Actually, I would just claim a no-start condidtion and have MB pay for a flatbed.....
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
You have such rotten luck. If it is stuck "high" I would take it easy, if the ride height seems low or normal, and handling seems ok, I would drive it at traffic speeds. Most lowering kits just trick airmatic anyway, so I don't see how that would be different.
Actually, I would just claim a no-start condidtion and have MB pay for a flatbed.....
Actually, I would just claim a no-start condidtion and have MB pay for a flatbed.....
I like your way of thinking. It "was" in the normal position until I just did the stupid thing of trying to raise it to see if the system worked and now it is stuck high.
Don't I just have the best luck ever!
I put a call in to my SA but have not heard back. Guess it will have to wait until tomorrow.
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From: Southern California
2014 GL 450
My SA told me there was a recall on the airmatic compressor, but another member here on the board said it was a TSB. Whatever it is, they'll fix it. You do, however, seem to have the worst luck!
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
LOL, thanks Jen! I read your thread about the recall/TSB. I am hoping to get it there sometime tomorrow. I need to figure out something to turn my luck around! I lemon lawed the car before this one.
I think cars hate me!
I think cars hate me!
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
Well it went to the dealership today on a flat bed. The recall/TSB did not show on my vin#, but that doesn't matter. There is a problem and it is still under warranty. I doubt I will hear much until Monday. In the meantime, they gave me a fairly new C300 to drive.
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From: St. Louis, MO
08 MB GL 320CDI, 07 MB S550, 02 Porsche Cabriolet, 98 MB 450SL, 64 Citreon 2CV
I got the same message and had to have the pump replaced. With all the trouble they are having with the airmatic systems, I hope that they have found the problem as I don't want to pay for it out of warranty. The pump went out on my old S430 and ruined the struts---the bill $4000.
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From: Treasure Coast
2018 Mclaren 720s, 2021 Aston Martin DBX
It's a good thing it was flatbedded. You first get an preliminary message and you think you can get somewhere but then there is the "do not drive...car is too low" warning and the car has dropped over the front tires.
When is MB going to get it right? They have had airmatic problems for years now. My 04 E55 collapsed at 20k miles.
When is MB going to get it right? They have had airmatic problems for years now. My 04 E55 collapsed at 20k miles.
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From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
Dreamin'
How does one know when he is spending too much time on this forum? When you start dreaming about it.
I had a dream last night (that I totally forgot about until reading this thread today) that while on a biz trip in Atlanta (yes... it was that specific) I was able to rent a GL450 from Hertz. While stuck in rush hour traffic, I got the dreaded "Airmatic Malfunction" message. I started looking for MomsBenz cell # so I could call her to see what I should do. I don't even know who MomsBenz is in real life, let alone her cell #, but in my dream, I knew she was the one to call.
I think that must be why I woke up with a headache this morning... I was so upset in my dream!
So, it's been nice knowing you all, but I've got to go away for awhile.
I had a dream last night (that I totally forgot about until reading this thread today) that while on a biz trip in Atlanta (yes... it was that specific) I was able to rent a GL450 from Hertz. While stuck in rush hour traffic, I got the dreaded "Airmatic Malfunction" message. I started looking for MomsBenz cell # so I could call her to see what I should do. I don't even know who MomsBenz is in real life, let alone her cell #, but in my dream, I knew she was the one to call.
I think that must be why I woke up with a headache this morning... I was so upset in my dream!
So, it's been nice knowing you all, but I've got to go away for awhile.
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From: .
08 GL450
It's a good thing it was flatbedded. You first get an preliminary message and you think you can get somewhere but then there is the "do not drive...car is too low" warning and the car has dropped over the front tires.
When is MB going to get it right? They have had airmatic problems for years now. My 04 E55 collapsed at 20k miles.
When is MB going to get it right? They have had airmatic problems for years now. My 04 E55 collapsed at 20k miles.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
How does one know when he is spending too much time on this forum? When you start dreaming about it.
I had a dream last night (that I totally forgot about until reading this thread today) that while on a biz trip in Atlanta (yes... it was that specific) I was able to rent a GL450 from Hertz. While stuck in rush hour traffic, I got the dreaded "Airmatic Malfunction" message. I started looking for MomsBenz cell # so I could call her to see what I should do. I don't even know who MomsBenz is in real life, let alone her cell #, but in my dream, I knew she was the one to call.
I think that must be why I woke up with a headache this morning... I was so upset in my dream!
So, it's been nice knowing you all, but I've got to go away for awhile.
I had a dream last night (that I totally forgot about until reading this thread today) that while on a biz trip in Atlanta (yes... it was that specific) I was able to rent a GL450 from Hertz. While stuck in rush hour traffic, I got the dreaded "Airmatic Malfunction" message. I started looking for MomsBenz cell # so I could call her to see what I should do. I don't even know who MomsBenz is in real life, let alone her cell #, but in my dream, I knew she was the one to call.
I think that must be why I woke up with a headache this morning... I was so upset in my dream!
So, it's been nice knowing you all, but I've got to go away for awhile.
MKW-Mine never made any noise than the regular ones everyone talks about with the airmatic. The one thing that does come to mind now, that makes sense is when we were coming back from our road trip to Montana, we were driving and I got the message "vehicle being lowered" with the appropriate icon. Well I never raised it. I thought maybe the button got bumped and I didn't notice, but thought it was weird to see that message. So I think that was the start of this "malfunction"
ima55r2-That is scary. I knew there was no way I was going to be able to drive 56 miles on the freeway to my dealership. Once I called them they told me not to drive it at all. I am hoping it was caught before any other damage was done. It was still sitting normal, if not a little high from me pushing the button to see if it was really malfuntioning
stlduckhunter-I agree, I hope they figure it out soon. My husband I just had the discussion about keeping it past warranty because of all the issues we have had. The sad thing is I really, really love my car. Time will tell.
I also brought up the pulley recall so hopefully that will get done too.
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
Just got a call that it is ready for pick up. They replaced the AirMatic compressor and updated the software for the rear hatch (it was rubbing) so now I am trying to get them to replace all the plastic along the top and bottom part of the tailgate. I shouldn't have to push this hard, they are the ones that caused it to out of alignment in the first place. Waiting to hear back from the SM.
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From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
Glad to hear your compressor has been fixed. Hopefully, this will be the last of your troubles!
You don't know how happy I was when I arrived in Atlanta today and Hertz rented me an Infiniti FX. If they had given me keys to a GL, I might have keeled over.
By the way, the Infiniti looks like fun, but it isn't. It's underpowered, understeers, has a horrible command unit, and you have to stomp on the brakes to stop. If lkchris doesn't like the GL's brakes, he'd absolutely hate the Infiniti's. Oh, one more gripe... my clubs don't fit in the cargo area without putting down the second row.
You don't know how happy I was when I arrived in Atlanta today and Hertz rented me an Infiniti FX. If they had given me keys to a GL, I might have keeled over.
By the way, the Infiniti looks like fun, but it isn't. It's underpowered, understeers, has a horrible command unit, and you have to stomp on the brakes to stop. If lkchris doesn't like the GL's brakes, he'd absolutely hate the Infiniti's. Oh, one more gripe... my clubs don't fit in the cargo area without putting down the second row.
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Posts: 800
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From: Southern California
2014 GL 450
Glad to hear your compressor has been fixed. Hopefully, this will be the last of your troubles!
You don't know how happy I was when I arrived in Atlanta today and Hertz rented me an Infiniti FX. If they had given me keys to a GL, I might have keeled over.
By the way, the Infiniti looks like fun, but it isn't. It's underpowered, understeers, has a horrible command unit, and you have to stomp on the brakes to stop. If lkchris doesn't like the GL's brakes, he'd absolutely hate the Infiniti's. Oh, one more gripe... my clubs don't fit in the cargo area without putting down the second row.
You don't know how happy I was when I arrived in Atlanta today and Hertz rented me an Infiniti FX. If they had given me keys to a GL, I might have keeled over.
By the way, the Infiniti looks like fun, but it isn't. It's underpowered, understeers, has a horrible command unit, and you have to stomp on the brakes to stop. If lkchris doesn't like the GL's brakes, he'd absolutely hate the Infiniti's. Oh, one more gripe... my clubs don't fit in the cargo area without putting down the second row.
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
Glad to hear your compressor has been fixed. Hopefully, this will be the last of your troubles!
You don't know how happy I was when I arrived in Atlanta today and Hertz rented me an Infiniti FX. If they had given me keys to a GL, I might have keeled over.
By the way, the Infiniti looks like fun, but it isn't. It's underpowered, understeers, has a horrible command unit, and you have to stomp on the brakes to stop. If lkchris doesn't like the GL's brakes, he'd absolutely hate the Infiniti's. Oh, one more gripe... my clubs don't fit in the cargo area without putting down the second row.
You don't know how happy I was when I arrived in Atlanta today and Hertz rented me an Infiniti FX. If they had given me keys to a GL, I might have keeled over.
By the way, the Infiniti looks like fun, but it isn't. It's underpowered, understeers, has a horrible command unit, and you have to stomp on the brakes to stop. If lkchris doesn't like the GL's brakes, he'd absolutely hate the Infiniti's. Oh, one more gripe... my clubs don't fit in the cargo area without putting down the second row.
That would of been really strange if you had. I have never really cared for the styling of the Infiniti. A friend of ours husband drives one and she says she hates it. Well, I got the GL back and everything seems to be working the way it should and they replaced all the plastic along the edge of the lift gate and the chrome piece.
But, my bad luck continues....on my way home I got pulled over my the CHP for no front license plate!
Guess I will be going back to MB and having that installed in the next week. How exactly do they install it? Is it screwed right to the bumper?
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From: B.C.
GL 320cdi, Chevrolet Avalanchero, GLE 350 (on order)
Isn't your husband with the fire brigade? I mean, would he not know that you need a front plate? Just say'n...
And yes, they do just screw a holder to the car. It should have been in the car when you bought it. It's easy to do yourself, no need for dlr. visit...
And yes, they do just screw a holder to the car. It should have been in the car when you bought it. It's easy to do yourself, no need for dlr. visit...
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
Yes, we knew the law. But it also suppose to be a secondary offense. (ie, they are not suppose to pull you over just for no plate, gotta nail you for something else first) Anyway, I have no bracket just a due bill from MB that reads "install front plate". I know shame on me for not having it done already. 
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From: Southern California
2014 GL 450
Yes, we knew the law. But it also suppose to be a secondary offense. (ie, they are not suppose to pull you over just for no plate, gotta nail you for something else first) Anyway, I have no bracket just a due bill from MB that reads "install front plate". I know shame on me for not having it done already.
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
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From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Originally Posted by Newbie_2_MB
I know several people who parked at LAX and had a ticket waiting for them upon return from their trip because of no front plate.
Add me to this list of yours, Jen
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From: Columbus, OH
2008 GL 320 CDI
If not being straight, or being slightly off-center, would be the kind of thing that would bug you (as it would me), I would recommend either watching them install it or doing it yourself. Once they make the holes in the bumper, they're there for good.
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
Jen, wow they really are cracking down. I understand the reasonings, but some cars just look better without them I had the plate with me as well, didn't matter. I will definitely have it put on.
Jim, will do Need a new pic anyways
Nish, that is a bummer. Hopefully it was just a fix it like mine.
I had the plate with me as well, didn't matter. I will definitely have it put on.Jim, will do
Need a new pic anywaysNish, that is a bummer. Hopefully it was just a fix it like mine.
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
I have never paid much attention to the spare tire area. Now, did you just use small screws? Can I used doubled sided tape (like the kind they use to put side molding on?) I hate drilling into the bumper 
