Gondon

I was driving last night at about 2 am on the highway and the airmatic sign flashed for a 2 sec "Vehicle low, Stop", it went away. 1 minute later it went on and I pulled off at the nearest exit turned the car off for about 2 min, rasied it and inspected the height, I thought the left rear was low, but the car just lowers on park. So I turned the car back on drove to this kids house no problem, then drove all night long till 7 am, even sometimes at speeds of excess of 100, just to make sure it wasnt serious, So basicaly was it some computer error? Or is this worth checking out?

i inspected the height at like 4am and 7 and everything was perfect.

Vader55

https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w220/217796-airmatic-relay-problems.html

Gondon

thx benzo ive read that but i dont c how that relates to me.

checked my car 5 min ago all lvls are perfect.

abhatti55

Looks like one of the Airmatic struts is leaking, there is a rebuild kit for the top seals on the front struts. Very common problem. My car had the exact same symptoms. Do a search I don't know the part #'s off hand, but there is a way to check if they are leaking (spraying soapy water where the air line enters). If this is the problem nothing to worry about it is possible to do it yourself, but requires a special tool.

abhatti55

https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w220/198223-airmatic-strut-rebuild.html

This should help. Also maybe good to invest in the Carsoft software to diagnose problems, it can be a lifesaver if the car is not under warranty.

Gondon

Ive noticed when you turn the car off and push the lock button, the car lowers and makes a nice hiss, is this normal? Ive read up on airmatic and according to ppl this is bad?

p.s It was the back left, not the front, both front were good.

Jessica90

Our W220 also has a little hiss noise when turning off the car and locking it.

It sounds more like air is coming out. Same with our Range Rover. I think it's normal.

atlrus

That's how my problem started. Later I ended up replacing one of the struts, sealing the other and replacing the burned-out airmatic pump. Total: ~$2,000
Trust me, once is leaking, unless sealed, it will spread to the point you'd have to tow your car to the dealership. Just go an get it sealed.

maci911

i just went to dealer and i have exactly the same problem : need right front strut, seal left front strut,need new pump price:::: $3100 ouchhhhh


lucky the front strut was replaced a month a ago by a local shop ''''''i called them they will reinstall another strut .....i will have them seal the other and replace with a used pump.....maybe it might only cost me 700.00

maci911

change of hearts;;;; i decided to have the stealer change the pump 800.00 and seal the other front strut....

maci911

it might be the air pump not able to pump enough air......if i were u i will take to the stealer to test the system cost me only 125.00

Gondon

http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7081870

I've nade an appointment for 8 am Friday for Service B, he will change OIL and the rest if there is something, he'll do it. OIL is $150 though.

As for MB Soverign My Local Benz Dealer they Quoted $399 for service B.

Gondon

Hey So what was the timeframe from when the first time your light went on, to when it broke down?

It went on for you once, then it went away? and came on later again?

jfendis430

Interesting find on EBAY: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...spagenameZWDVW

Gondon

I missed my appointment on Friday to visit the shop.

Airmatic came on again last night at 5am for a few seconds, then gone.. ahhh

leaking struts or sensor is a bit ****ed.

Need to schedule this appointment asap.

Skylaw

If this is the car you bought at the end of December, check your paperwork to see under what warranty conditions you bought it.

As an '02, it has no factory warranty unless you were somehow able to get it Certified Pre-owned (unlikely).

The dealer may have specified that the car was "as is - no warranty" if state law allows that.

On the other hand, some states impose limited warranty by law for a specified period - 30 to 90 days. Warranty coverage would vary from state to state. But it's worth asking, since you posted on December 29 that you had just bought the car.

On the other hand, the dealer may have offered a warranty of some (short) time.

At least, ask before you pay. But do get it fixed.

Gondon

I got the platnium Auto Warranty from AutoSource.
But I dont think it fully covers the airmatic.

If its a leak, it cant cost too much.

maci911

400.00

Skylaw

I'd still ask if there was any kind of dealer warranty that covers it.

Cost to repair Airmatic leaks depends on what is leaking. New upper strut seals (with new metal mounts) cost me $550. If the lower seals are leaking, each front strut is $1300 (I believe that's parts & labor) and they are normally replaced in pairs. I don't know the cost if rear struts. The Airmatic pump is $900 through a dealer, but search the forums; I have seen them for much less.

Gondon

But they can just seal the leak, rather than replace all unit.

Espcially when in my case, I think there is nothnig major as when it turned on 2nd time, everythnig was prety much High and even...'

but yea, Ill go to a shop and have them checkit all out.

rccmerc

Here is a pic of these things front and rear FYI.