Airmatic Issue - Need Advice
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Airmatic Issue - Need Advice
I am experiencing a problem with our S-Class (2001 S500) and hope somebody has some insights on this.
I am familiar with all Airmatic issues and the usual causes (bad relays, leaking struts and burned out pumps), my issue is a bit different.
About 3 months ago, our pump burned out and I sourced a new one from Arnott Industries. Replaced the pump and the relay with a new Hella one and all was good.
I knew that the passenger front strut is leaking a bit, but it's holding the air reasonably well. I was planning to replace it when the weather gets a bit warmer (we are in cold Minnesota).
A couple of days ago I noticed that the front right was a bit low and I had the "car low" warning sign come on only for a moment. I figured to check the 2 electrical connections to the pump, just in case one came loose.
Connections were good but the pump refuses to start. Wondering if the pump went bad again, I applied 12 volt directly to the pump connection and it's going perfect.
I don't know how to check the relay, but I swapped it with the adjacent relay (same type) and no difference.
The big difference is that the display now says immediately "Airmatic - Visit Workshop" without the message "Vehicle Raising" that I saw when the pump was bad.
The car is now too low to drive, so I can't bring it to MB to have the Star system checked.
This is our winter car, so I need it going fast. Can anybody offer some advice? Thanks!!
I am familiar with all Airmatic issues and the usual causes (bad relays, leaking struts and burned out pumps), my issue is a bit different.
About 3 months ago, our pump burned out and I sourced a new one from Arnott Industries. Replaced the pump and the relay with a new Hella one and all was good.
I knew that the passenger front strut is leaking a bit, but it's holding the air reasonably well. I was planning to replace it when the weather gets a bit warmer (we are in cold Minnesota).
A couple of days ago I noticed that the front right was a bit low and I had the "car low" warning sign come on only for a moment. I figured to check the 2 electrical connections to the pump, just in case one came loose.
Connections were good but the pump refuses to start. Wondering if the pump went bad again, I applied 12 volt directly to the pump connection and it's going perfect.
I don't know how to check the relay, but I swapped it with the adjacent relay (same type) and no difference.
The big difference is that the display now says immediately "Airmatic - Visit Workshop" without the message "Vehicle Raising" that I saw when the pump was bad.
The car is now too low to drive, so I can't bring it to MB to have the Star system checked.
This is our winter car, so I need it going fast. Can anybody offer some advice? Thanks!!
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Some more info
Seems like there isn't anybody with suggestions so I played around a bit more.
Here is what I see.
1. Airmatic - Visit workshop comes on right away. There is no "Car raising" or similar message as I had before...
2. When I apply 12 Volt to the pump, it works right away, but even with the pump manually running, the car stays low. Before it was raising in seconds. I believe the valve block stops the air from going to the right places.
Some thoughts:
1. The issue is with the ECU. I assume it controls the airflow in the valveblock. Any way to check the ECU without hooking it up to the STAR system?
2. Or just a bad valveblock? Any way to check that?
3. Even though I replaced the relay, it could it be blown. Any easy way to test a relay? I plugged in the neigboring relay (same one), no dice.
Hope you guys can give me some feedback on my thoughts. Thanks!
Here is what I see.
1. Airmatic - Visit workshop comes on right away. There is no "Car raising" or similar message as I had before...
2. When I apply 12 Volt to the pump, it works right away, but even with the pump manually running, the car stays low. Before it was raising in seconds. I believe the valve block stops the air from going to the right places.
Some thoughts:
1. The issue is with the ECU. I assume it controls the airflow in the valveblock. Any way to check the ECU without hooking it up to the STAR system?
2. Or just a bad valveblock? Any way to check that?
3. Even though I replaced the relay, it could it be blown. Any easy way to test a relay? I plugged in the neigboring relay (same one), no dice.
Hope you guys can give me some feedback on my thoughts. Thanks!
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 985
Likes: 2
Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Turbo
Since you already replaced the pump and relay, what's next? Your known leaking struts or valve block.
I've read that valve blocks sometimes wear faster in colder weather since the moisture in the air freezes during winter months, hence seizing up the valve block completely. It's the case for the X5's air suspension... no different in application than the Airmatic.
There's the pump, valves, and struts... for the X5, it has a reserve air tank but it's not a major item.
I'd fix the strut first, to be honest.
I've read that valve blocks sometimes wear faster in colder weather since the moisture in the air freezes during winter months, hence seizing up the valve block completely. It's the case for the X5's air suspension... no different in application than the Airmatic.
There's the pump, valves, and struts... for the X5, it has a reserve air tank but it's not a major item.
I'd fix the strut first, to be honest.
