S-Class (W220) 1999-2006: S 320 CDI, S 320, S430, S 500, S 600

2001 S500 cranks but no start after airbag installation

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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 03:11 AM
  #1  
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2001 S500
2001 S500 cranks but no start after airbag installation

Hello everyone! I just finished installing an aftermarket strut/airbag with:
- 4 gallon aluminum tank
- 3/4hp 100% duty air compressor
- 4 paddle manual valve/switch for front/back/side-side
- 2 black face dual needle viair gauges
- 1/4" D.O.T. lines
- 200psi operating pressure
- remote drain (doubles as AUX port to power air tools,tire inflator, etc)
- surprising fast speed considering 1/4" line size

Here's is electrical connection:
I tapped 2 connections into the vehicle:
- Parking light through the factory center console light
- Switched 12+ @ fusebox under rear seat (bottom right corner of fuse box)

* could this have caused a short that would let the car shut down?!?

Here's what happen:
Everything is installed and working good, backed out the car and let the car idle for about 10 mins and than it just shut down! Tried to restart and now luck. Battery is brand new. Added gas and gauge indicated 1/4 tank. Getting gas with with proper pressure. I Found this forum and everyone talked bout the CPS, so i let it cool down for 5-6 hrs and still no luck starting. If it is the CPS, shouldn't have it started up by 5-6 hrs? Should i install a new CPS anyways? Hooked it up to scanner and it indicated that ECM is bad .. is it possible for a car to work than die b/c ECM go bad? I was told the ECM has life expectancy and it was time for it to go, tech guy told me it was time for it to go and it was common. I thought this was weird for an ECM to have a life expectancy like a halogen bulb!?!?

Any help would be tremendously appreciated!









Last edited by karfanatix; Feb 19, 2012 at 03:26 AM.
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Old Feb 19, 2012 | 01:29 PM
  #2  
xlr8tin's Avatar
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2011 GL550, 2004 Audi S4 v8
Well, it sounds like that's where I would start. Keep us posted
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 01:59 AM
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2001 S500
Unhappy Update

Looks like no one ever experience this problem ... it's Monday and car is at the "Dealership" to be determine of problem. It's nice they offered a flat "$175" fee for diagnostic. Vehicle came in @ 1:15pm and sat all day untouched ....they said they would have something by afternoon tomorrow. Let's see what the outcome will be!?!?
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 03:58 AM
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Where are you located?

Something could have shorted the ECM


BTW Id love to get a manual control airstrut system done like that to my car. Did you do it yourself or have a shop do it? Whats the cost>?
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 07:01 PM
  #5  
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2001 S500
Thumbs up IT'S FIXED!!!!!!

Got the call today @ 11am and it's the Crank Position Sensor!!!!! What threw me off was the that the car wouldn't start even after sitting for a full 24 hrs! .... usually i would vehicles fire up after 4-5 hrs but i guess the sensor was completely dead! and the cps sensor supply signal to the ECM, so no signal, no spark! ECM would've put me the hole! This S500 has a tad bit under 130k ... during the down time I asked some s500 owners and they put over 200k+ and original CPS is still fine ... go figure!?!

But to answer the last question, the air suspension upgrade was done at K Kar Fanatics, located in Fountain Valley, California....gotta website too: karfanatics.com. Job took 4-5 days, my particular setup was $4k installed but they have setups for $3k. I figured, since they're providing 4 brand new struts with better air bags, be cheaper and better than the OEM setup (since OEM sux anyways!)...and it sits almost on the ground! I got the premium setup: nice compressor, aluminum tank, gauges and a remote drain valve that doubles as a water drain and AUX port for my tire inflator, air duster or impact gun!!!! hahhahaha

For those aren't local but are mechanically incline or have a bunch of handy friends or a local good mechanic .... they can plumb all the air components and you just bolt it on! full support with detailed instructions available. No Hacking, butchering or welding. Hit them up!
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 09:09 PM
  #6  
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2001 S430
NICE!!!!

omg lol will u PLEASE do a 3 wheel motion stance and take a picture? i'll donate $5 via paypal!!!
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 09:13 PM
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From: Seattle, WA
2001 S430
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Old Feb 23, 2012 | 01:39 AM
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2001 S500
sorry but no 3 wheel motion ... but i could do:
- front / back
- side / side
- pancake
- although you might be able to do 3 wheel slightly, but not like the dump truck, that's insane!


btw ... i was reading the invoice from the dealership, told me the crank sensor was replace @ $170 for part / $350 for labor. But the funny thing was, they told me the sensor was under the rear seat! seems really odd? i thought the crank sensor was on the driver side near the fire wall? (that's where everybody said it would be). Anybody ever heard of this?
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