Airmatic winter problem
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Joined: Jan 2015
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2001 Mercedes-Benz s500
Airmatic winter problem
Hello guys. Happy New Year everybody.
I have 2001 Mercedes-Benz s500 and it was running perfect, no problems what so ever with airmatic during the warm period of the year, however, as soon as the temperature drops below -5C / 23F my car drops the nose and it says at a dash board something like:"Stop the vehicle, airmatic problem" in red colour. So, when i stop, and look outside at the nose of the car, it is sitting almost on the ground. In order to fix that, i shut down the engine, wait couple of seconds, start it again, and i can hear compressor starting, and vehicle's front goes up.
Now, if i leave the car still, running or not running doesn't matter, it doesn't drop, even if the temp goes down another 20C, but as soon as i start driving, after couple of minutes to 20min, sometimes longer, sometimes shorter it drops again. So, what i have concluded:
Summer time, when temp is warm, Airmatic works perfect.
Winter time, when temp drops to -5C/23F or below, when car doesn't move - no problem even if it stays for a half a year. However, as soon as you start driving, depending on the temp. level it starts to drop the nose....the colder the temp, the less time you can drive before it drops the nose.
Any idea where to look for the leak? Is it compressor? or something at the front? Does it drop the front because it has leak at the front,or because it is heavier than the tail, and that is why it drops?
Thank you once again.
I have 2001 Mercedes-Benz s500 and it was running perfect, no problems what so ever with airmatic during the warm period of the year, however, as soon as the temperature drops below -5C / 23F my car drops the nose and it says at a dash board something like:"Stop the vehicle, airmatic problem" in red colour. So, when i stop, and look outside at the nose of the car, it is sitting almost on the ground. In order to fix that, i shut down the engine, wait couple of seconds, start it again, and i can hear compressor starting, and vehicle's front goes up.
Now, if i leave the car still, running or not running doesn't matter, it doesn't drop, even if the temp goes down another 20C, but as soon as i start driving, after couple of minutes to 20min, sometimes longer, sometimes shorter it drops again. So, what i have concluded:
Summer time, when temp is warm, Airmatic works perfect.
Winter time, when temp drops to -5C/23F or below, when car doesn't move - no problem even if it stays for a half a year. However, as soon as you start driving, depending on the temp. level it starts to drop the nose....the colder the temp, the less time you can drive before it drops the nose.
Any idea where to look for the leak? Is it compressor? or something at the front? Does it drop the front because it has leak at the front,or because it is heavier than the tail, and that is why it drops?
Thank you once again.
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 220
Likes: 2
From: New England
2006 S430 4Matic
myrchik, welcome to the forum! The first thing you want to do is read through the "Start here" forum for Airmatic issues. There are hundreds of posts on this issue. Always search the forums before posting because most likely someone else has already answered the question. There is a significant amount of information here about the Airmatic Suspension. I would guess that you are having a problem with the valve block assy. Sounds like once it gets cold a valve starts sticking. The valve block controls the supply of air to the suspension. There are posts in the forum on how to deal with rebuilding the valve block. Are you a DIYer?
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 101
Likes: 2
S 320
I find the pump seems to run a lot longer in winter.
I know that the system is airtight because I can leave the vehicle standing for a couple of weeks with no loss of height.
Also the airmatic vehicle rising function works perfectly.
The pump has never been intrusive, but yes you can hear it run if you know what to listen for.
There have been comments on the forum that the pump can't be heard at all.
I checked with the dealers and techy's and they all agreed this little, but powerful compressor IS audible, but as said not intrusive and no vibration should be felt either.
Its also dependant on vehicle loadings, driving conditions, and type of road surface.
Usually the pump is not very active on long motorway/freeway journeys.
Short runs on uneven surfaces and with a full load are very different, and the pump may well kick in a lot more frequently.
Summing up, unless the pump runs constantly, doesn't run at all, shows an airmatic fault, tends to lose height over night, vibrates excessively, or takes longer than 90 seconds to raise the vehicle. I would say you have nothing to worry about.
Hope this helps.
I know that the system is airtight because I can leave the vehicle standing for a couple of weeks with no loss of height.
Also the airmatic vehicle rising function works perfectly.
The pump has never been intrusive, but yes you can hear it run if you know what to listen for.
There have been comments on the forum that the pump can't be heard at all.
I checked with the dealers and techy's and they all agreed this little, but powerful compressor IS audible, but as said not intrusive and no vibration should be felt either.
Its also dependant on vehicle loadings, driving conditions, and type of road surface.
Usually the pump is not very active on long motorway/freeway journeys.
Short runs on uneven surfaces and with a full load are very different, and the pump may well kick in a lot more frequently.
Summing up, unless the pump runs constantly, doesn't run at all, shows an airmatic fault, tends to lose height over night, vibrates excessively, or takes longer than 90 seconds to raise the vehicle. I would say you have nothing to worry about.
Hope this helps.
