Jaguar1

Yesterday while driving home I get the dreaded "Airmatic" up-arrow warning light. I have done some work to the suspension in the last 6months (both rear air springs and shocks and compressor). In order to check the compressor, I selected the "raise vehicle" button and the vehicle raised in the appropriate amount of time and maintained the height for at least an hour (I lowered it). The vehicle is not sagging after sitting and drives perfectly (not bouncy). Anybody have any ideas?

Max Blast

Can you clarify what the malfunction indication looks like?
From what you describe it sounds like ops normal.

Jaguar1

In the multi-function display in the dashboard, picture of the car with an "Up" arrow. (This is Not my dash, but it is the exact message)

Max Blast

Thanks. That's typically what you see when the compressor is being commanded on, but is not on.
You said you replaced it 6 mos ago. Did you replace the relay as well?

Jaguar1

Replaced compressor and relay with parts directly from Arnott. The compressor does run, It does raise the vehicle. So I don't think its a compressor issue.

Max Blast

At this point you should read out any airmatic error codes with an mb star compatible scan tool. That’ll cue you where to look next.

Jaguar1

Officially really weird!!!

As oddly as the message appeared, yesterday morning the warning disappeared. It has not returned yet. I didn't change a thing. Anybody in central VA with a star compatible scan tool so I can download any stored codes?

Bimmer777

Related to this, my GL550 started showing this message over the weekend. However, my compressor looks to be fried as the car doesnt raise up. Its also now sagged quite a bit in the front. Fuse looks good, and I swapped relays and nothing. So new Arnott compressor is on order and will be swapped this weekend. This is on top of doing all 4 corners with Arnotts earlier this summer.

Bottom line - when you buy a GL, you have to price in overhauling airmatic at some point. Its not if, but rather a matter of when.

Max Blast

How very true. If you DIY it with Arnott parts it's actually palatable vice going to the dealer.

FWIW, the compressor can come out with the wheels still attached.
Turn the wheel all the way to the right so you can get at the front half of the wheelwell liner and then have room to detach the three PITA suspension nuts, connectors and air line. Installation is the reverse of removal plus a whole lot of balancing, one finger nut threading and choice words.

Jaguar1

UPDATE - Now it appears to be an intermittent fault, It will disappear for a day or so, and then reappear. Still no change in suspension (no sagging, or dipping) I'm thinking the issue is electrical and involves the ride height sensors. I'll be checking for loose connections this weekend.

mrkwong

Ah, yes. Wife's '11 GL550 has decided to squat on its right rear corner after an hour or two, most of the time but not ALL of the time. It pumps up and drives but throws 'MALFUNCTION'. We've had it for a year and a half and I haven't yet acquired an adequate scan tool to do diagnostics on this thing (entertaining suggestions on something in the Autel or similar line that'd also support BMW, GM). I've ordered a new air spring just in case, but it may or may not be the problem. Will look at it next weekend.

jcboal

I am very interested in what you find..... I replaced all 4 shocks/struts last month and now i'm getting the "Malfunction" error intermittently as well.

machadosl

This is the front right
A few months ago I had a problem like that, it was due to the height sensor located at the top of the front struts, it had oxidation in the socket of it. I removed it and used a contact cleaner to solve my problem.

Jaguar1

Quick Update -----
I had the system diagnosed by a Mercedes Tech. Turns out it was the Compressor AGAIN!!!!! This is the third compressor in the past six months:

1. Original Equip Unit - Rear bags had been leaking, so a replacement was probably due
2. First Aftermarket - end cap of the "dryer" section (removes moisture from the air) blew off - warranty replaced
3. Second Aftermarket - This is the one that just went bad, Stopped functioning. Like I said before, No Sagging of the suspension, it just stopped working
4. Third Aftermarket - Already installed, I hope this one lasts.

I used the soapy water spray test on all four bags (no leaks). I still need to check the valve assembly for leaks, but I have no symptoms of a leak.

Relays were replaced at the same time. Keep in mind that these are not the cheap compressors. These are from the most relied upon manufacturer of aftermarket air suspension parts with a great reputation. To their credit, they replaced each one of the failed compressors with no questions. I have purchased rear air springs and struts from them as well and will still buy from them if needed. They are the best alternative to OEM (IMHO).

I'm going into the dealership for an alignment and I'm going to have them run a full diagnostic on the system. Anyone have any other ideas?

Max Blast

The only readout of any use from MB star system is the level sensors - and all that’ll do is tell you if they’re functioning .

There are some leakage indicator tests they can run but none of them are as effective as soapy water or detection spray.

mglsite

I was having the same issue on the intermittent warning. Tried to raise the car and the compressor would not come on. Found a blown fuse in the rear fuse box and thought I found the problem. No luck, comp still wouldn't come on. Pulled cover off of relay in the front fuse box and found no problem with it. Next I checked the 40 amp fuses above the relay, they had 0 voltage so I started the car.while checking the voltage, compressor started running. Wiggled fuse and comp started and stopped a few times then started running fine. But now it wouldn't lower, after a few more tries is started to lower itself. Raised and lowered car until I got a comp cooling down warning.
I usually drive a company truck so i don't use the 450 all that much.I think maybe sitting and not cycling may have caused some sticking problems. The intermittent problems my be it trying to level it's self out and the comp not starting every so often.

I pulled the 40 amp fuse and found one of the tabs burnt a little, I applied a liberal amount of dielectric grease and replaced it.

jonathankreb

So I just started having this same mysterious, intermittent "malfunction" error myself. Like the original poster, the vehicle is not sagging at all, and if I raise or lower the vehicle, it seems to work fine. The Malfunction indicator just seems to come on totally at random. If I turn the vehicle off and back on again, the warning goes away. All four airbags have been replaced with Arnot in the last year or so, so no signs of leakage. I did disconnect one of the position sensors under the vehicle, and the malfunction error light immediately came, on, so I am suspicious of these sensors/connections, but I have yet to see a thread where this is found to be the culprit...

007_e350

Replace with coil overs / springs and end your worries for good.. I was thinking about using ML350s springs but need to investigate if they’ll be ok fitment wise, or use the few aftermarket companies selling GL springs, google

mglsite

Check that 40 amp fuse. I saw a mechanic say on another site that the front fuse box is prone to overheat and melt. I pulled all of mine and put a little dielectric grease on the fuse contacts just for good measure. A lot of intermittent stuff that will drive you crazy are lose connections or a bad ground I have found.

vesiadog

With a Star system you will be able to test each corner, bags , valves, pressure loss, compressor.. you can see how many minutes your compressor has ran. For DIY on the Airmatic systems is sure is worth the investment of owning a Star system .