jeezone61

I just bought a 2007 S550. thing is in great condition.. but I think I somehow made the airmatic malfunction light go on. it wasn't on for the first three days. I youtubed the same search words and I watched a video on a guy changing the fuses. I checked all mine the fuses are fine. you can hear the compressor/ pump working when I turn the car on... then after a minute, it stops, and that's when the light comes on. any ideas? thanks!!

Mike5215

It's leaking air somewhere and will shortly burn out the pump. Don't drive the car and get it to the shop ASAP. Either a dealer or and indie with the diagnostic software. If you catch it early you may just be looking at a single strut.

jeezone61

Wouldn't I hear some kind of hissing or something if there was a leak?

Em Bee Lover

Did a pop up show on the main panel saying more or less, "Do Not Drive this Vehicle. Get to Repair Shop."? If so, it very well could be a strut. A trend in these 2007's is it's likely the right front one. Left ones seem to hold. The replacement struts are improved, but make sure you get the one for the correct side. The 2007's were interchangeable, but the replacements are explicit right/left numbered. You can find them via salvage places for $400 to $500. Also online, as in eBay. Search eBay or other using--right front suspension strut S550 2007--that should bring up a bunch. They are gonna be around $5-600 on eBay. If I recall, MB clips a person for around $1200. We're talking just parts. Please know I am in no way diagnosing your issue, but if a pro says it's a strut, shop around or pay the piper. Regardless, you're car's gonna be out of commission 'till the part arrives, regardless of source. Best of luck to you from the voice of experience. I went through this about three months ago.

Mike5215

Nope. It'll be a small leak that could be anywhere in the system. The leak causes the pump to over-run trying to build up and maintain pressure in the air reservoir. Eventually it will fail and things get more expensive. Did you buy the car with any kind of warranty?

jeezone61

I'm still in the motion of the actual purchase. So before I sign papers I'm gonna try to get the best warranty figured in. It only has 65k miles on it. Also, my friend who is an indy specialist said if it doesn't look like its sitting at its lowest position, it's probably safe to drive. And there's a good two inches between the tire and wheel well. I can raise the car with that button, but I can't seem to lower it after. I think it self adjusts though after freeway driving.

jeezone61

It does not show anthing crazy like that. Just a simple malfunction sign with the symbol of the airmatic (car with an arrow pointing up)

ChesapeakeLimo

It's either a leak in the system, but more likely it's a weak compressor pump. The system has a set compressor run time to reach specified height, and if it runs too long, the ECM shuts down the airmatic system. It's re-enabled when you restart the car. The only way to be sure is to put it on a STAR diagnostic. If it is a weak pump, made sure you go the extra $20 and replace the relay at the same time.

jeezone61

I wanna thank everyone for your responses.. It turned out to be a weak pump. There was no leak. Cost me $790 for a new one installed.