2004 S430 4MATIC strange noise...
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 18
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From: Owensboro, KY
2004 s430 4MATIC / 2008 C350
2004 S430 4MATIC strange noise...
Ok, so I just picked up an '04 S430 4MATIC w/75K miles on it last week. At the used car dealership, I was told that the "vibration" (similar to driving on rumble strips) I was feeling intermittently was the "ESP system" due to "the car learning because of the new battery. Just drive it for 30 min. and it will go away. I drove it 3.5 hrs home and it continued to do this at low speeds. That's been 5 days ago and I still experience it every trip. Is this something critical? Can I fix it? Did the dealer lie to me?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 18
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From: Owensboro, KY
2004 s430 4MATIC / 2008 C350
Can't be bent wheels, or anything of the like since it comes and goes. Sounds like a pump running and shutting off (i.e.: airmatic, etc). I will probably wind up taking it in but I wanted to have an idea. Suggestions? Would it be the airmatic system? Can I remedy this myself?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 18
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From: Owensboro, KY
2004 s430 4MATIC / 2008 C350
I understand but it can't be wheel vibration because there are times I'll be sitting still at a light and it will come and go. It is definite and abrupt, not a smooth fade in and out. I was told by the dealer maybe ESP
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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Mercedes
The dealer is a liar , you haven't figured that out yet ?
A noise you can hear at a stop sign that cuts on and off abruptly does sound like the airmatic pump. It is heard more then felt .
A noise you can hear at a stop sign that cuts on and off abruptly does sound like the airmatic pump. It is heard more then felt .
Last edited by tusabes; Feb 16, 2016 at 05:19 AM.
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From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
Welcome, and congratulations! A used car dealer is not normally the most trustworthy source of info on a Mercedes, and almost certainly was desperate to get rid of the car. Hopefully, you got a very good price on it. While you may have bought a W220 with a problem, solving the problem may not be terribly expensive if you are able and willing to DIY...
Sit in the car with the engine idling, and no noise. Push the button near the center of the dash that shows the car rising - a message should appear on the info panel at the bottom of the speedometer saying something like, "Airmatic Car Rising". If the noise starts and continues for several moments, the odds are that it is the Airmatic pump.
Yes, you can fix the Airmatic pump yourself, whether the problem is just in the pump mounts, or something more serious. Repairing or replacing the pump is not a really big deal.
Airmatic is a complex system - if you really want to learn about it, this is a good start. It is a primer on the entire system, not just on pump problems and repairs.
https://w220.ee/Airmatic
If you look for the W220 Encyclopedia in the blue sticky threads at the top of the first page of this Forum, and spend some time exploring, you will find a huge amount of collected info. Doing an Advanced Search on the W220 Forum (at the top of every page) will give you even more.
Sit in the car with the engine idling, and no noise. Push the button near the center of the dash that shows the car rising - a message should appear on the info panel at the bottom of the speedometer saying something like, "Airmatic Car Rising". If the noise starts and continues for several moments, the odds are that it is the Airmatic pump.
Yes, you can fix the Airmatic pump yourself, whether the problem is just in the pump mounts, or something more serious. Repairing or replacing the pump is not a really big deal.
Airmatic is a complex system - if you really want to learn about it, this is a good start. It is a primer on the entire system, not just on pump problems and repairs.
https://w220.ee/Airmatic
If you look for the W220 Encyclopedia in the blue sticky threads at the top of the first page of this Forum, and spend some time exploring, you will find a huge amount of collected info. Doing an Advanced Search on the W220 Forum (at the top of every page) will give you even more.
Last edited by wallyp; Feb 16, 2016 at 08:19 AM.
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From: New York
2024 GLE 350
You're going to get an attitude when you're not facing the fact that the USED car dealer lied to you. Take it to the dealer and send the used car dealer the bill, that is of course only if you got in writing what they said was wrong with the car...
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From: middle o' ma
15 AMG S63 4-matic coupe
how do you tell the dealer is lying?
his lips are moving.... bah dum bump.
there could be other issues as well.
I don't know what your legal recourse is in Kentucky but you might be well served by having an expert go over the car now.
his lips are moving.... bah dum bump.
there could be other issues as well.
I don't know what your legal recourse is in Kentucky but you might be well served by having an expert go over the car now.
Can't be bent wheels, or anything of the like since it comes and goes. Sounds like a pump running and shutting off (i.e.: airmatic, etc). I will probably wind up taking it in but I wanted to have an idea. Suggestions? Would it be the airmatic system? Can I remedy this myself?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Owensboro, KY
2004 s430 4MATIC / 2008 C350
OK. I appreciate all the comments above. Let me address them. I never doubted that the dealer lied to me, but I was asking to get your opinions. The sarcasm and smart aleck remarks are unnecessary. I'm just looking for help and advice.
I've found a lot of good material here and I'll continue to read as much as I can. It's good to have communities like this out there. Sincere thanks to all you guys!
I've found a lot of good material here and I'll continue to read as much as I can. It's good to have communities like this out there. Sincere thanks to all you guys!
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Mercedes
The last question in your original post was "did the dealer lie to me?"
I answered your question. Then you posted a follow up , again mentioning the esp because that's what the dealer told you. As if you were believing them and doubting us.
That's why I responded as I did - you kept believing the dealer comment over us
I answered your question. Then you posted a follow up , again mentioning the esp because that's what the dealer told you. As if you were believing them and doubting us.
That's why I responded as I did - you kept believing the dealer comment over us
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 18
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From: Owensboro, KY
2004 s430 4MATIC / 2008 C350
The last question in your original post was "did the dealer lie to me?"
I answered your question. Then you posted a follow up , again mentioning the esp because that's what the dealer told you. As if you were believing them and doubting us.
That's why I responded as I did - you kept believing the dealer comment over us
I answered your question. Then you posted a follow up , again mentioning the esp because that's what the dealer told you. As if you were believing them and doubting us.
That's why I responded as I did - you kept believing the dealer comment over us
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 554
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From: New York
2024 GLE 350
Who the F*ck do you think you are? You talk about people being rude, but that last comment was very rude. Tusabes is a very helpful member on this forum. I think you need to take a good look in the mirror. You can call us rude and Juvenile all you want, but at the end of the day we don't have our playstation accounts linked.
It's not us, its just that You're an as*hole
It's not us, its just that You're an as*hole
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Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Mercedes SL63 AMG; Mercedes E63 AMG S 4matic; Mercedes C43 AMG; Mercedes S Class, Mercedes GLK
I have 5 different Mercedes vehicles so spend time on a number of the various forums on this site. I have always enjoyed this one the most because of the level of maturity and helpfulness shown by the members here. I just finished reading one of the most ridiculous threads ever on the 212 forum and have to say wasn't expecting to run into this on this forum.
OP, Tusabes is one of the most knowledgeable and helpful members of this forum. Unfortunate how this thread has deteriorated, hopefully everyone can put it behind them and move forward constructively or just cease and desist.
In terms of your issue, it is odd, I've never experienced what you've described with my S430 4matic. If it only happened when you were driving then I would have suggested you check for either mis sized tires or uneven tire wear. I've had the kind of vibration in the drive train you've described, but only in motion, never when stopped. My issue ended up being related to extreme uneven tire wear, which was putting undue stress on the 4matic system, which you will find can be sensitive. I have replaced my air pump, but it was a catastrophic failure so very obvious and incredibly loud, unlike what you've described.
Not sure if you would be able to record the sound it makes and post it, it might help folks here to hear it to help diagnose.
James
OP, Tusabes is one of the most knowledgeable and helpful members of this forum. Unfortunate how this thread has deteriorated, hopefully everyone can put it behind them and move forward constructively or just cease and desist.
In terms of your issue, it is odd, I've never experienced what you've described with my S430 4matic. If it only happened when you were driving then I would have suggested you check for either mis sized tires or uneven tire wear. I've had the kind of vibration in the drive train you've described, but only in motion, never when stopped. My issue ended up being related to extreme uneven tire wear, which was putting undue stress on the 4matic system, which you will find can be sensitive. I have replaced my air pump, but it was a catastrophic failure so very obvious and incredibly loud, unlike what you've described.
Not sure if you would be able to record the sound it makes and post it, it might help folks here to hear it to help diagnose.
James
Last edited by mcguirja; Feb 17, 2016 at 11:37 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Owensboro, KY
2004 s430 4MATIC / 2008 C350
I have 5 different Mercedes vehicles so spend time on a number of the various forums on this site. I have always enjoyed this one the most because of the level of maturity and helpfulness shown by the members here. I just finished reading one of the most ridiculous threads ever on the 212 forum and have to say wasn't expecting to run into this on this forum.
OP, Tusabes is one of the most knowledgeable and helpful members of this forum. Unfortunate how this thread has deteriorated, hopefully everyone can put it behind them and move forward constructively or just cease and desist.
In terms of your issue, it is odd, I've never experienced what you've described with my S430 4matic. If it only happened when you were driving then I would have suggested you check for either mis sized tires or uneven tire wear. I've had the kind of vibration in the drive train you've described, but only in motion, never when stopped. My issue ended up being related to extreme uneven tire wear, which was putting undue stress on the 4matic system, which you will find can be sensitive. I have replaced my air pump, but it was a catastrophic failure so very obvious and incredibly loud, unlike what you've described.
Not sure if you would be able to record the sound it makes and post it, it might help folks here to hear it to help diagnose.
James
OP, Tusabes is one of the most knowledgeable and helpful members of this forum. Unfortunate how this thread has deteriorated, hopefully everyone can put it behind them and move forward constructively or just cease and desist.
In terms of your issue, it is odd, I've never experienced what you've described with my S430 4matic. If it only happened when you were driving then I would have suggested you check for either mis sized tires or uneven tire wear. I've had the kind of vibration in the drive train you've described, but only in motion, never when stopped. My issue ended up being related to extreme uneven tire wear, which was putting undue stress on the 4matic system, which you will find can be sensitive. I have replaced my air pump, but it was a catastrophic failure so very obvious and incredibly loud, unlike what you've described.
Not sure if you would be able to record the sound it makes and post it, it might help folks here to hear it to help diagnose.
James
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 18
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From: Owensboro, KY
2004 s430 4MATIC / 2008 C350
That's ridiculous. This instance was immature unnecessary. This forum is supposed to be for help and questions. You start cussing and making fun...for what? It does no good and adds nothing productive. It's ok for you to name-call, but if I respond asking someone to stop I get jumped on. Can we please knock this off and get back to the point?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 554
Likes: 44
From: New York
2024 GLE 350
That's ridiculous. This instance was immature unnecessary. This forum is supposed to be for help and questions. You start cussing and making fun...for what? It does no good and adds nothing productive. It's ok for you to name-call, but if I respond asking someone to stop I get jumped on. Can we please knock this off and get back to the point?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Owensboro, KY
2004 s430 4MATIC / 2008 C350
Just because I don't post often doesn't mean I don't read. Ive sat back and watch and learned for 6 years. There's a lot of good info here, but I only ask questions every so often.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 554
Likes: 44
From: New York
2024 GLE 350
