New Member: Problems begin!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
S430
New Member: Problems begin!
Hey guys,
I am new to the w220 and the forums, what a great resource you have here!
I recently bought a 2000 s430 w220 with 85,000 miles on it. Wish I had read the forums first as the SRS light came on, I found small rust patches in the doors and have some suspension issues - but have searched the forum and it sounds different to most - have searched the forum and couldn't seem to find any info on it.
Anyways while I do have hairline cracks in the top of the struts, the car doesn't leak much at all. It will stay at normal height for a number of days, the only time i have experienced leaking is when I have pressed the sport 2 mode and the car has lowered, its like the valve was stuck open and the front of the car dropped on the ground and I got the car too low error. I pulled over and pressed the raise car button and the car jacked back up and was fine - what is going on here? Sounds like a different problem to most. I am hesitant to even touch the suspension controls and have just left in the standard position. The compressor doesn't run overtime either, only once for a few mins on start up. I have ordered the new hella relay as I have the old siemans type so will give that a shot. I heard the earlier models like the 2000 had issues with the valve block so that was my initial thought. Will try re-seal the struts and keep testing.
If anyone can shed any light on the situation that would be great!
Cheers and keep up the good work on this forum!
Cheers!
I am new to the w220 and the forums, what a great resource you have here!
I recently bought a 2000 s430 w220 with 85,000 miles on it. Wish I had read the forums first as the SRS light came on, I found small rust patches in the doors and have some suspension issues - but have searched the forum and it sounds different to most - have searched the forum and couldn't seem to find any info on it.
Anyways while I do have hairline cracks in the top of the struts, the car doesn't leak much at all. It will stay at normal height for a number of days, the only time i have experienced leaking is when I have pressed the sport 2 mode and the car has lowered, its like the valve was stuck open and the front of the car dropped on the ground and I got the car too low error. I pulled over and pressed the raise car button and the car jacked back up and was fine - what is going on here? Sounds like a different problem to most. I am hesitant to even touch the suspension controls and have just left in the standard position. The compressor doesn't run overtime either, only once for a few mins on start up. I have ordered the new hella relay as I have the old siemans type so will give that a shot. I heard the earlier models like the 2000 had issues with the valve block so that was my initial thought. Will try re-seal the struts and keep testing.
If anyone can shed any light on the situation that would be great!
Cheers and keep up the good work on this forum!
Cheers!
Last edited by guyhmlton; Apr 10, 2011 at 07:34 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 26
From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
Not ignoring you - I just haven't seen this particular problem described. Please let us know how changing the relay works out.
Selecting Sport 2 mode should NOT have dropped the suspension. It should have made the suspension a bit stiffer.
Selecting Sport 2 mode should NOT have dropped the suspension. It should have made the suspension a bit stiffer.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
S430
Hi Skylaw,
Thanks for your reply! I think I need to understand how the system works, I've had air suspension systems before but they have been a lot simplier. Does the sport 2 mode just change the dampening? Or does it change the air pressure in the struts? Or both?
When I run the sport 2 mode, the suspension definitely does go stiffer, then it seems to drop slowly after about a minute until its got no air in the front at all. Then I press the car raise button and its back to normal and no leaking! Quite strange. I will switch the relay when it arrives and see if I can trouble shoot it a bit more on the weekend.
Thanks again!
Guy.
Thanks for your reply! I think I need to understand how the system works, I've had air suspension systems before but they have been a lot simplier. Does the sport 2 mode just change the dampening? Or does it change the air pressure in the struts? Or both?
When I run the sport 2 mode, the suspension definitely does go stiffer, then it seems to drop slowly after about a minute until its got no air in the front at all. Then I press the car raise button and its back to normal and no leaking! Quite strange. I will switch the relay when it arrives and see if I can trouble shoot it a bit more on the weekend.
Thanks again!
Guy.
