Cause of AirMatic compressor burnout?
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Cause of AirMatic compressor burnout?
I recently got out the car and noticed that the airMatic compressor was still on. I ran into the store to get what I needed and when i came out it was smoking.
I rushed home and parked the car and within an hour it was sitting low. When I open the door I still hear the valve block get rid of air.
The codes I get when I check are 5172 and 5508.
My question is can I drive to the repair shop (about 20 miles) without messing anything else up?
If I change the pump myself will it even fix the issue or is there a root cause of the pump going out anyway?
I rushed home and parked the car and within an hour it was sitting low. When I open the door I still hear the valve block get rid of air.
The codes I get when I check are 5172 and 5508.
My question is can I drive to the repair shop (about 20 miles) without messing anything else up?
If I change the pump myself will it even fix the issue or is there a root cause of the pump going out anyway?
#3
Super Member
height
From the picture it looks like there is tire clearance? That is for you to decide. If there is clearance I would pull the fuse to the compressor and drive it to the shop. They will need to have a Star System to find your leaks and problems .
#4
Super Member
Thread Starter
where is the fuse? I know where the relay is but not the fuse
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Root cause is a leak in the system so the compressor always runs
most leaks in the system occurs in the parts that are most exposed to wear and tear - the air spring rubber bellows
check bags for leaks with car in raised position
replace all suspect bags
replace compressor
most leaks in the system occurs in the parts that are most exposed to wear and tear - the air spring rubber bellows
check bags for leaks with car in raised position
replace all suspect bags
replace compressor
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#8
Super Member
Thread Starter
Root cause is a leak in the system so the compressor always runs
most leaks in the system occurs in the parts that are most exposed to wear and tear - the air spring rubber bellows
check bags for leaks with car in raised position
replace all suspect bags
replace compressor
most leaks in the system occurs in the parts that are most exposed to wear and tear - the air spring rubber bellows
check bags for leaks with car in raised position
replace all suspect bags
replace compressor
also what are the air spring rubber bellows?
My indy guy is trying to get me to change the compressor and the value block (both of which I changed in Jan 2022 btw)
#9
Super Member
system checkout
If the compressor still runs…1st big question!
You can checkout the complete system with a Star system.
Yes you will need a running compressor to look for leaks (unless you see an obvious ripped bag.
The front struts have bag or bellow attached to them.. the rear bags are separate.
You have a solenoid valve block that controls the air thru the lines to the system .
So between the compressor, filter, lines, bags and tank.. you can have leaks. I check my compressor running time between engine oil changes to keep an eye out for too much run time. Also if the car consistently sags after sitting for a few hours or a day .. I will put it on my Star System and trouble shoot.
You can checkout the complete system with a Star system.
Yes you will need a running compressor to look for leaks (unless you see an obvious ripped bag.
The front struts have bag or bellow attached to them.. the rear bags are separate.
You have a solenoid valve block that controls the air thru the lines to the system .
So between the compressor, filter, lines, bags and tank.. you can have leaks. I check my compressor running time between engine oil changes to keep an eye out for too much run time. Also if the car consistently sags after sitting for a few hours or a day .. I will put it on my Star System and trouble shoot.
#10
Super Member
Thread Starter
If the compressor still runs…1st big question!
You can checkout the complete system with a Star system.
Yes you will need a running compressor to look for leaks (unless you see an obvious ripped bag.
The front struts have bag or bellow attached to them.. the rear bags are separate.
You have a solenoid valve block that controls the air thru the lines to the system .
So between the compressor, filter, lines, bags and tank.. you can have leaks. I check my compressor running time between engine oil changes to keep an eye out for too much run time. Also if the car consistently sags after sitting for a few hours or a day .. I will put it on my Star System and trouble shoot.
You can checkout the complete system with a Star system.
Yes you will need a running compressor to look for leaks (unless you see an obvious ripped bag.
The front struts have bag or bellow attached to them.. the rear bags are separate.
You have a solenoid valve block that controls the air thru the lines to the system .
So between the compressor, filter, lines, bags and tank.. you can have leaks. I check my compressor running time between engine oil changes to keep an eye out for too much run time. Also if the car consistently sags after sitting for a few hours or a day .. I will put it on my Star System and trouble shoot.
#11
Super Member
run time
mai will be selling a Star System for up to 2014 cars with an original Actia multiplexor not a china copy with cables and a Dell laptop.. I have 3 laptops and 2 multiplexor’s and time to sell 1…$1000’plus shipping.
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
Both the compressor and the valve block should have a longer service life than that.
The good news is, you can replace the compressor just by turning the wheel all the way to the right removing the inner fender well, and it’s right there
#13
Super Member
compressor
My experience compressors last about 100 hours and that is the better made compressors. I have taken one apart and they are very cheaply made. If your system has been leaking it doesn’t take long to put 100 hrs on a bad system .
#14
It's a pretty easy DIY to replace the compressor and manifold, once the front bumper is removed.
#15
Super Member
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#17
Super Member
Thread Starter
I got it to the shop and they changed the compressor to an arnott compressor.
He said when they put it in only the front raised up.
So then they changed the valve block and the entire car raised.
Everything has been working for a few days BUT I keep hearing noises coming from the compressor area.
It has nothing to do with air. If I had to take a guess I would say its not mounted properly/tight and when it activates to moves.
I can feel when this happens through the gas petal
I just have no idea what it can be.
He said when they put it in only the front raised up.
So then they changed the valve block and the entire car raised.
Everything has been working for a few days BUT I keep hearing noises coming from the compressor area.
It has nothing to do with air. If I had to take a guess I would say its not mounted properly/tight and when it activates to moves.
I can feel when this happens through the gas petal
I just have no idea what it can be.
#18
Member
Yeah same here, I replaced 3 or 4 compressors and never messed with the bumper, just the fender liner and its right there, it is also good idea to change the filter and check the condition of the intake hose, thats where they mostly fail, hose gets brittle and gives up then compressor sucks in dust debris and in some extreme cases even water. My intake hose was in a bad shape, not worth the replace anymore, so I upgrade it with a better hose I picked up from auto parts store.
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vesiadog (07-08-2024)
#19
I got it to the shop and they changed the compressor to an arnott compressor.
He said when they put it in only the front raised up.
So then they changed the valve block and the entire car raised.
Everything has been working for a few days BUT I keep hearing noises coming from the compressor area.
It has nothing to do with air. If I had to take a guess I would say its not mounted properly/tight and when it activates to moves.
I can feel when this happens through the gas petal
I just have no idea what it can be.
He said when they put it in only the front raised up.
So then they changed the valve block and the entire car raised.
Everything has been working for a few days BUT I keep hearing noises coming from the compressor area.
It has nothing to do with air. If I had to take a guess I would say its not mounted properly/tight and when it activates to moves.
I can feel when this happens through the gas petal
I just have no idea what it can be.
I've been working on a truck that had bad struts/socks and pump constantly running. I swapped front struts/airbags and rear shocks. Pump does not run as often and airs up quick when elevating suspension, but still runs more than it should (and it is LOUD). So next up is rear bags. Hopefully that fixes the pump running so much. After that, the pump itself is getting swapped out.
#20
Super Member
Star System testing
Sounds like the pump is constantly running. Likely from a leak in the system.
I've been working on a truck that had bad struts/socks and pump constantly running. I swapped front struts/airbags and rear shocks. Pump does not run as often and airs up quick when elevating suspension, but still runs more than it should (and it is LOUD). So next up is rear bags. Hopefully that fixes the pump running so much. After that, the pump itself is getting swapped out.
I've been working on a truck that had bad struts/socks and pump constantly running. I swapped front struts/airbags and rear shocks. Pump does not run as often and airs up quick when elevating suspension, but still runs more than it should (and it is LOUD). So next up is rear bags. Hopefully that fixes the pump running so much. After that, the pump itself is getting swapped out.
The following users liked this post:
White Out (07-09-2024)
#21
Later on when replacing the radiator of the GL450, I found out that Its so much easier to work on the compressor and manifold with the front bumper removed.
#22
Super Member
Thread Starter
#23
Super Member
Thread Starter
I got it to the shop and they changed the compressor to an arnott compressor.
He said when they put it in only the front raised up.
So then they changed the valve block and the entire car raised.
Everything has been working for a few days BUT I keep hearing noises coming from the compressor area.
It has nothing to do with air. If I had to take a guess I would say its not mounted properly/tight and when it activates to moves.
I can feel when this happens through the gas petal
I just have no idea what it can be.
He said when they put it in only the front raised up.
So then they changed the valve block and the entire car raised.
Everything has been working for a few days BUT I keep hearing noises coming from the compressor area.
It has nothing to do with air. If I had to take a guess I would say its not mounted properly/tight and when it activates to moves.
I can feel when this happens through the gas petal
I just have no idea what it can be.
took it back to the shop and they checked it out to find that the compressor has a leak. He showed me when you press the raise button how you could feel air shooting out of the unit. I honestly didn’t see any cracks but definitely felt it.
I can’t say what the noise is or what caused the crack but my spider senses are definitely tingling!
#24
Super Member
new shop
well the noise got worse and you could feel it under your feet when sitting in the passenger seat. Yesterday while driving I heard something fall off the car while driving. 10 minutes later I got the malfunction light again and the rear would not raise.
took it back to the shop and they checked it out to find that the compressor has a leak. He showed me when you press the raise button how you could feel air shooting out of the unit. I honestly didn’t see any cracks but definitely felt it.
I can’t say what the noise is or what caused the crack but my spider senses are definitely tingling!
took it back to the shop and they checked it out to find that the compressor has a leak. He showed me when you press the raise button how you could feel air shooting out of the unit. I honestly didn’t see any cracks but definitely felt it.
I can’t say what the noise is or what caused the crack but my spider senses are definitely tingling!
#25
Super Member
Thread Starter