I recently took my 2014 Gl450 to the dealer for an air conditioning issue. They diagnosed the problem to be leaking o rings at the left rear wheel. After replacement I asked them to look into two issues that I have had for two years but never worried about. One was the pre safe malfunction and the second was the lane departure warning. They upgraded the software and adjusted the camera and the lane departure is functional and now my steering wheel vibrates again when I cross over the center line or right shoulder. The presafe required more diagnostic time and I agreed. They removed the right seat and said that the battery was weak. I suspect from the overworked compressor but don’t know. Anyway while performing the diagnostic the air matic malfunction appeared. The service advisor stopped the tech and called me. He said the new message is unrelated to the diagnostic being performed. I suspected that the new air matic malfunction might be caused by a bad battery. The service advisor said it looks like someone was performing some electrical work. During the time that I have owned the vehicle the only electrical work that has been performed was at the dealer two years ago. A dealer in Florida serviced the A/C and said the connections need to be cleaned. Strangely the dealer while diagnosing the presafe said that when they had the carpet up they noticed connections were cut and the main harness appears to have gotten wet. The connectors are small two terminal connectors not connectors for the airmatic. I drove the car home replaced the battery myself because I wanted to see in the battery area if possibly they just bumped a connection. I had done that on an ml450 that stranded me with a dead battery. After replacement of the battery I bumped the connection and the fan for the HVAC failed to operate. I thought it might be something simple. The dealer never really explained what they thought was causing the airmatic malfunction. However, they elaborated extensively in the bill/repair report. They basically condemned the car and recommended replacement of the seat belts to address the presafe issue and replacement of the front SAM and fuse box and body wire harness. The body harness is 14k and 4K to install.

I replaced the airmatic pump and tested it at the relay. There is no current calling for the relay to close to activate the airmatic pump. However, if you jump the terminals at the relay it will activate the air pump. I sent towed car to another Dealer for a diagnostic as now the car is low from the deflation of the air springs. After the initial diagnostic they could not figure out anything and asked for more time. At that time I explained what another dealer stated. A day later they said yes we need to start with replacement of the body harness. I saved the connectors that were on top of the carpet after the last trip to the dealer. I don’t understand why there would be broken connectors on top of the carpet. I have definitely vacuumed the car in the last two years. I saved them in a bag and that’s when the second dealer started freaking out saying those are can bus connectors. I agree but they are only two terminal connections and not the three large connections on the air matic module. I asked the dealer if they could tell if the module was receiving current he could not answer that. They said you can come get your car because we don’t anticipate that you will pay to replace the harness.

The car runs fine and I am contemplating my options. I found a kit to convert it to coil springs and wonder if anyone has done this. I know it is commonly done in Range Rovers and BMWs with air suspension. I found a kit for a GL450 2013-2019 on strutmasters. I would like to know if anyone has used this kit or knows of any other available kits. I also wondered about using authentic Mercedes parts for a non airmatic suspension for a 2013 ML350.

I have also seen websites where you can send modules for testing. I had thought about sending the airmatic module off for testing or starting with replacement of the front Sam and fuse box.

I really wish that I never had the Dealer diagnose the presafe issue. I really could have lived without the presafe and lane departure functions. There is not a good Indy Mercedes shop near me. And no one has the Xentry diagnostic equipment. I figure another dealer is just going to read the service history and repeat it back to me and not really look into it. I Would love to know what others have done in similar circumstances.

 

iv heard people say after you install springs it drives like a dodge not like a mercedes,i was thinking getting one of the old cl's and doing that but gave up

 

I did it! I made the mistake of ordering strutmasters. They sent me a customer return as new. None of the packing was in place and the hardware was lose and fell out. It’s been nearly a month with no resolution. I wish I had seen their reviews on the BBB website before I ordered. With a 2.4 rating It’s clear they don’t stand behind the product even with the claim of a lifetime warranty. Fine print is only seems the coils have lifetime warranty and the other parts are supposed to be covered for a year. I haven’t even had this junk a moth and they won’t make it right. https://www.bbb.org/us/nc/roxboro/pr...c-0593-6042492

investigate other options before choosing strutmasters. Good Luck!