M-Class (W164) Produced 2006-2011: ML280CDI, ML320CDI, ML420CDI, ML350, ML500, ML550

W164 AIRMATIC SUSPENSION QUESTION

Old Apr 1, 2020 | 09:49 PM
  #1  
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W164 AIRMATIC SUSPENSION QUESTION

Got a 08 Mercedes ML63AMG everything was fine till now, few days i noticed it was a little to high off the ground. today started up on the dash it showing BEING LOWERED and button blinking red but nothing happening, car is not lowering at all. I hooked up my MB2 reader No Error codes found under Airmatic. by the time i finished playing around with it car was all the way up and didnt go down its 37" from the floor to the fender. could anyone help what might be wrong and how can i lower it manually i dont want shocks to blow up.
will attach a picture. it looks weird and scary

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Old Apr 2, 2020 | 09:26 PM
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NO Help? Maybe coronavirus took over my ML LOL
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Old Apr 3, 2020 | 09:46 AM
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There has to be code/s stored in the Airmatic module.
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Old Apr 3, 2020 | 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
There has to be code/s stored in the Airmatic module.
No code! Scanned it few times, even disconnected the ground off battery for few min and scanned it again same stuff, no codes. everything checks out fine.
When i start the car, on the dash displayed car being lowered, button blinking red but nothing happens its not lowering. If i press the button to go up compressor turns on. Should i take one of the lines off to let the air out and let it go to its normal position? i don't want shocks to burst its still on same level today

Last edited by IgorE350; Apr 3, 2020 at 08:00 PM.
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Old Apr 3, 2020 | 08:25 PM
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Well without codes I have no suggestions.
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Old Apr 8, 2020 | 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
Well without codes I have no suggestions.
2 days a go i started the car and after a minute or so car went down to a normal level. Dont know how and what but i guess it got a mind on its own. all is fine now.
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Old Apr 10, 2020 | 09:11 AM
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wow - never seen that - weird there isn't codes - I assume it is the same for all 4 wheels?? not just high on one corner?
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Old Apr 10, 2020 | 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by wannawagon
wow - never seen that - weird there isn't codes - I assume it is the same for all 4 wheels?? not just high on one corner?
Yes all 4 wheels. I could go offroading lol. i could go under the car without jacking it up. Hooked up my MB2 scanner went in to Airmatick module no codes. Deleted the codes anyway went back in scanned it again, no codes. It was weird and interesting.
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Old Apr 10, 2020 | 05:24 PM
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Maybe the valve block is faulty, preventing air from being released and lowering the car, or a faulty level sensor.
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Old Apr 10, 2020 | 06:42 PM
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I am glad it has come back down, I would have thought if a level sensor was playing up it would be one corner only - hope it doesn't come back
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Old Apr 15, 2020 | 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Solo wing
Maybe the valve block is faulty, preventing air from being released and lowering the car, or a faulty level sensor.
I was thinking the same thing that it was the block but its brand new i got brand new Arnott compressor with relay and Block from FCP its lifetime warranty. wouldn't be a problem to get a replacement. but ill drive it and see how it goes
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Old Sep 27, 2022 | 03:09 AM
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Originally Posted by IgorE350
I was thinking the same thing that it was the block but its brand new i got brand new Arnott compressor with relay and Block from FCP its lifetime warranty. wouldn't be a problem to get a replacement. but ill drive it and see how it goes
How did you go with the Arnott Valve Block? Did it hold up? TIA
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Old Oct 13, 2022 | 11:59 PM
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Originally Posted by BlackML550
How did you go with the Arnott Valve Block? Did it hold up? TIA
Sorry haven't been on here for a wile and didnt see your message, what do you mean by TIA?
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Old Oct 14, 2022 | 12:05 AM
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TIA - Thanks in Advance
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Old Oct 14, 2022 | 12:41 AM
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Originally Posted by BlackML550
TIA - Thanks in Advance
lol ok. Everything worked great for about 2 years now but not long a go i started to notice that my pump works more often and for longer time. After scanning got a code 5503. I am suspecting a bad pump or valve or both because checked for leaks i didnt find any plus car holds the height over night.
To be honest i noticed that it does weird things lets the air out then pumps again then lets it out the pumping again. Dont think its normal .Thinking to get my free replacement and spend hour or 2 swapping, dont want it to quit on me in the middle of the trip
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Old Oct 14, 2022 | 01:58 AM
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Airmatic is Germany's revenge on the world IMO. Mine is similar - holds height but then ocassionally sinks just a little - very hard to pin down. I also have the lower left side sitting a little low. No obvious leakes with soapy water and no codes. I've got almost 100k miles so figure changing the valve block is probably reasonable maintenance anyway and it might fix the issues. Until next time...
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Old Oct 16, 2022 | 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by BlackML550
Airmatic is Germany's revenge on the world IMO. Mine is similar - holds height but then ocassionally sinks just a little - very hard to pin down. I also have the lower left side sitting a little low. No obvious leakes with soapy water and no codes. I've got almost 100k miles so figure changing the valve block is probably reasonable maintenance anyway and it might fix the issues. Until next time...
Do you get anything on the dash? do you hear your pump overworking?
When i get little more time ill order the pump and valve and will do the job. Yes, i agree with you its kind of revenge but to have it without problems it is a better ride than springs. I just dont understand why it always lets air out then pumps then out again and none stop,
Pump it up and hold the level. Loose air just add a little. every time i start my car it always pumps air then stops then on the stop sigh again pumps just weird
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Old Oct 24, 2022 | 04:08 AM
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Igor, since our posts my LHS front airbag failed. So after replacing that (i kept a spare) things have settled down with my ride heights both front AND back. Funny thing was with gallons of soapy water, there was no leak evident until i put the vehicle's weight back on the wheels - only then did the leak surface. Sounds obvious once you recignise it. Running the compressor whilst the wheels were off the ground (even though the bags were full) didn't show the leak. Ride heights have for two days at least, remained right where they should be. I'd suggest any single leak anywhere in the system plays havoc with all ride heights as the front RHS also dropped one the LHS failed. I've ordered the valve block but will wait and see what happens before replacing it. I did soapy water on the block whilst the compressor was running and no leakes.
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Old Oct 26, 2022 | 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
There has to be code/s stored in the Airmatic module.
Maybe the “raise” button is stuck!
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Old Oct 29, 2022 | 10:13 PM
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[QUOTE=BlackML550;8656745]Igor, since our posts my LHS front airbag failed. So after replacing that (i kept a spare) things have settled down with my ride heights both front AND back. Funny thing was with gallons of soapy water, there was no leak evident until i put the vehicle's weight back on the wheels - only then did the leak surface. Sounds obvious once you recignise it. Running the compressor whilst the wheels were off the ground (even though the bags were full) didn't show the leak. Ride heights have for two days at least, remained right where they should be. I'd suggest any single leak anywhere in the system plays havoc with all ride heights as the front RHS also dropped one the LHS failed. I've ordered the valve block but will wait and see what happens before replacing it. I did soapy water on the block whilst the compressor was running and no leakes.[/QUO

If i got a leak its probably is from rear bags because they're old, probably original. Same here ill try to ride it out till something obvious shows up. do you have pics or videos where you found the leak?
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Old Oct 29, 2022 | 10:17 PM
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Originally Posted by lkchris
Maybe the “raise” button is stuck!
Hmm maybe. what i noticed that how my car used to level itself on the stop or if i was at drive trough, now it doesn't do that. i don't feel going up of down mostly keeping same lavel.
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