Can’t diagnose Airmatic problem
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
GL450
Can’t diagnose Airmatic problem
2012 GL450 with 190k miles
Problem started one day after raising the suspension to the off-road level, just for fun. Didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary straight away, but within a few days the suspension became bouncy.
Over the next couple weeks, the Airmatic Malfunction light came on more and more often until finally it comes on every time I drive now.
The GL isn’t bottomed our, yet and I haven’t known the compressor to initiate since having this problem.
It’s now extremely bouncy but level and low.
I’be looked at all 3 fuses, replaced the replay and replaced the compressor. Compressor still does not pump.
Please help, wife is loosing patient with to have her vehicle back. Have ordered a new valve block, But not convinced that will solve the problem.
Problem started one day after raising the suspension to the off-road level, just for fun. Didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary straight away, but within a few days the suspension became bouncy.
Over the next couple weeks, the Airmatic Malfunction light came on more and more often until finally it comes on every time I drive now.
The GL isn’t bottomed our, yet and I haven’t known the compressor to initiate since having this problem.
It’s now extremely bouncy but level and low.
I’be looked at all 3 fuses, replaced the replay and replaced the compressor. Compressor still does not pump.
Please help, wife is loosing patient with to have her vehicle back. Have ordered a new valve block, But not convinced that will solve the problem.
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 165
Likes: 27
From: Buford, Ga
2023 EQE AMG
so you need a tool to check to see if any there are any codes in the airmatic system.. iCarSoft can tell. In iCarSoft it will tell you height of all the four wheels and voltage. But most likely your bag pressures are too high and that could be caused by things like. Height sensors, and block valve.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
GL450
so you need a tool to check to see if any there are any codes in the airmatic system.. iCarSoft can tell. In iCarSoft it will tell you height of all the four wheels and voltage. But most likely your bag pressures are too high and that could be caused by things like. Height sensors, and block valve.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 625
Likes: 82
From: Germantown, MD
'07 GL450
If you can raise the vehicle by pressing the [Raise] button, then the compressor is likely still functional.
If the vehicle does not raise, then check for audible/tactile clues that the compressor has engaged after pressing the button. In the absence of audible/tactile clues, pull out your trusty multi-meter and check your supply voltage to the compressor. If you have proper voltage (but the compressor does not engage), then the compressor is malfunctioning; otherwise, you have a circuit problem - double check your fuses and test for voltage at each fuse (after pressing the [raise] button).
Also, if the compressor does engage, check the compressor air outlet to ensure it is, in fact, pumping air.
If the vehicle does not raise, then check for audible/tactile clues that the compressor has engaged after pressing the button. In the absence of audible/tactile clues, pull out your trusty multi-meter and check your supply voltage to the compressor. If you have proper voltage (but the compressor does not engage), then the compressor is malfunctioning; otherwise, you have a circuit problem - double check your fuses and test for voltage at each fuse (after pressing the [raise] button).
Also, if the compressor does engage, check the compressor air outlet to ensure it is, in fact, pumping air.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
GL450
Ok, so here is what I’ve done, which has gotten me nowhere:
The compressor just doesn’t activate. Took about 4 weeks for air shocks to lower ( don’t think they have dramatic leak). I get the Airmatic ‘Malfunction’ Icon on dash, and sometimes the ‘compressor cooling down’ message. But compressor doesn’t pump at all.
What’s next?
- verified compressor runs off vehicle
- verified compressor is getting no voltage on vehicle
- replaced valve block
- replaced Airmatic relay under hood
- Replaced f4kn in trunk
- check all other fuses related to Airmatic
The compressor just doesn’t activate. Took about 4 weeks for air shocks to lower ( don’t think they have dramatic leak). I get the Airmatic ‘Malfunction’ Icon on dash, and sometimes the ‘compressor cooling down’ message. But compressor doesn’t pump at all.
What’s next?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 782
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
So - it would seem the compressor burned out a while back and any voltage or current supplied to it by the car’s harness is only serving to burn out wiring and relays.
sounds like you needed a new compressor a while back and a thorough wire tracing job now, unless the culprit is a stuck or binding level sensor.
sounds like you needed a new compressor a while back and a thorough wire tracing job now, unless the culprit is a stuck or binding level sensor.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 28
Likes: 21
GL450
