ML350 Airmatic Malfunction

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May 11, 2026 | 10:17 AM

radjcw5

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Joined: Feb 2012

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From: DFW

2012 ML350 BlueTEC

ML350 Airmatic Malfunction

I replaced the rear shocks with Aerosus. After a short time, I now have a 'Malfunction' displayed, after I drive a short distance after startup, no code set. The vehicle still goes up and down when manually chosen. Is this a programming issue, or do I look for a leak or poor connection?

May 13, 2026 | 02:28 PM

rapidoxidation

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From: In the Shadow of the Tetons

2013 ML350 Bluetec

Tough to be specific without knowing the code that caused the "malfunction" display.
Read the code (or get it read) and post it up.

Yesterday | 07:58 PM

bobofthenorth

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Joined: Oct 2023

Posts: 120

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From: Buchanan, SK CANADA

2013 ML350 Bluetec

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapidoxidation

Tough to be specific without knowing the code that caused the "malfunction" display.
Read the code (or get it read) and post it up.

I just went through this myself. I have Xentry but the code(s) displayed by Xentry in general and in this specific instance are pretty unhelpful. I looked at actual pressure values in the individual bags and the reservoir. I looked at the date code on my compressor and concluded that after likely a minimum 6 years in service (8 years post production) the compressor was likely due for replacement anyway. That appears to have cleared the big yellow "Malfunction" car emblem on the dash but I'll give it a couple more days before I consider it fully behind me. In my case too, the car appeared to be behaving normally except for throwing that dash message shortly after every startup. Eventually though the bags started dropping pressure. As usual with MB the OBD messages are not definitive and the canbus itself is prone to hallucinations.

There's not a whole lot can go wrong with an air suspension. It can leak but soap and water will diagnose that. The compressor should be considered a maintenance item, no different than tires. I suppose in rare circumstances the control unit may fail but I expect that's incredibly rare. That little multiport relay block looks to me like a failure point but if its leaking soapy water will show that. As long as you have software to force it to put air to each corner it should be easy to rule it out too.

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