Air suspension lowering when parked ? Vehicle still low after calibration.
12-08-2019, 08:19 AM
#1
Air suspension lowering when parked ? Vehicle still low after calibration.
Just bought a 2008 W221 with 59,000 on the clock last month. Paperwork from seller stated that they replaced the passenger front air strut and valve block due to not holding air. A few days after I purchased the vehicle I noticed the right front passenger side looked lower than normal so I took it to a local highly regarded MB specialist who agreed with me and performed a ride height recalibration along with a cabin filter, transimission/brake fluid exchange and new spark plugs. All money in $1,274.26. Problem is, the right passenger side still sits about a fingers width lower compared to the drivers side front, but I'm not getting any warning lights on the dash. When I park the vehicle it lowers and hisses. Any input on what to do next ? Is this normal ? I might be answering my own question here but, I only work about 5 minutes away from this shop. Should I just take it back in and have them check it out ?
Last edited by Danny Benz; 12-08-2019 at 08:28 AM.
12-08-2019, 09:18 AM
#2
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A certain amount of suspension drop due to thermal contraction is normal, between .75 to 1 inch is within design parameters, and should not be regarded as a malfunction. For peace of mind you can have them revisit to check for leaks leaks.
12-08-2019, 11:02 AM
#3
there's another post below showing a recall (that wasn't a recall !!!!) for a damaged pipe the length of the car on the right rear than causes it to drop exactly as you say
oddly my car does exactly the same but on the wrong side, whilst my car gets the steering wheel on the correct side I don't see the pipes would get swapped
Topic number LI32.22-P-048772 https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post6627003
oddly my car does exactly the same but on the wrong side, whilst my car gets the steering wheel on the correct side I don't see the pipes would get swapped
Topic number LI32.22-P-048772 https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post6627003
Last edited by BOTUS; 12-08-2019 at 11:28 AM.
12-09-2019, 08:32 AM
#4
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This only applies to rear. Xentry bulletin only applicable under warranty. However, if within VIN range, one can argue for MB goodwill repair citing defective pressure line installed @ production.
12-09-2019, 06:10 PM
#5
Ah, OK, I miss read first post, and thought meant rear.
The other thing to do before trying to level, is to check all the linkages to the level sensors are moving freely. Mines only done 60k Miles and I lucbricate the level adjusters twice a year, yet the rear snapped off in the summer !!! and one front was seized.
They are prone to seizure and then snapping, so as only $20 each fit 3 new ones then try and level it up
The other thing to do before trying to level, is to check all the linkages to the level sensors are moving freely. Mines only done 60k Miles and I lucbricate the level adjusters twice a year, yet the rear snapped off in the summer !!! and one front was seized.
They are prone to seizure and then snapping, so as only $20 each fit 3 new ones then try and level it up
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Kalakov222 (05-05-2022)
03-30-2021, 07:54 PM
#6
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Just bought a 2008 W221 with 59,000 on the clock last month. Paperwork from seller stated that they replaced the passenger front air strut and valve block due to not holding air. A few days after I purchased the vehicle I noticed the right front passenger side looked lower than normal so I took it to a local highly regarded MB specialist who agreed with me and performed a ride height recalibration along with a cabin filter, transimission/brake fluid exchange and new spark plugs. All money in $1,274.26. Problem is, the right passenger side still sits about a fingers width lower compared to the drivers side front, but I'm not getting any warning lights on the dash. When I park the vehicle it lowers and hisses. Any input on what to do next ? Is this normal ? I might be answering my own question here but, I only work about 5 minutes away from this shop. Should I just take it back in and have them check it out ?
03-30-2021, 09:49 PM
#7
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How much is it dropping? If it only drops a "set" amount shortly after you park, but doesn't continue to drop if you leave the car parked overnight... then I suspect a non-issue.
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03-30-2021, 11:25 PM
#8
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I seem to have the problem that I see mentioned here a lot where when I get out of the car I can hear a large vent or a "swoosh" from the presser / valve area. It seems to be venting and I can see the front of the car drop an inch or more. I don't accept the fact that this is normal. Why have something drop that causes the compressor to start up and run to bring the car back up to height every time I restart the car. That is just excessive wear. The car should not be dropping every time I get out of it
03-30-2021, 11:45 PM
#9
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Airmatic tries to keep the car “level” at a prescribed ride height. When you unlock and open the door, while driving, soon after you park and exit vehicle... it’s normal so long as it doesn’t keep dropping.
Doesn’t always have to drop, can raise too.
The steeper the incline or uneven surface parked on, would exaggerate the behavior...
Doesn’t always have to drop, can raise too.
The steeper the incline or uneven surface parked on, would exaggerate the behavior...
03-31-2021, 02:24 PM
#10
had mine 6 years airmatic suspension NEVER makes any noise like that
and ride height never changes with the key out
there are other things the AC does something sometime shortly after parking might be water dropping on the exhaust
and ride height never changes with the key out
there are other things the AC does something sometime shortly after parking might be water dropping on the exhaust
04-02-2021, 12:43 AM
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Airmatic tries to keep the car “level” at a prescribed ride height. When you unlock and open the door, while driving, soon after you park and exit vehicle... it’s normal so long as it doesn’t keep dropping.
Doesn’t always have to drop, can raise too.
The steeper the incline or uneven surface parked on, would exaggerate the behavior...
Doesn’t always have to drop, can raise too.
The steeper the incline or uneven surface parked on, would exaggerate the behavior...
I now have two cars with it and both do the same thing, they drop after I park and close the door.
This is result of the down force that is generated when car moves. When you stop moving the car raises up as the down force goes away.
In traffic when stopped at traffic the car does not lower as the engine is running and I guess gear selector is on Drive so the car knows it will soon be moving again but as soon as I stop the engine, exit the car and close the door the car lowers to the set level. Both of my cars do this and I believe it is the stupid behavior Mercedes programmed them to do. My opinion is the Airmatic system should not do anything at all when car is turned off.
I have never seen my cars raise after i stop and exit them as I don’t think the compressor runs when car is turned off. If it did you would not see result of leaking air springs other than when it runs battery dead, which the don’t do.
I had leaks on my E-class and when this happened the car dropped over night and then raised right back up when started engine but it never ran the compressor with engine not running or ignition power on.
And it is so funny that the 1985 Lincoln Mark VII LSC that I used to have had this same exact behavior. It lowered the same way when parked and closed the door.
04-02-2021, 04:21 AM
#12
I even had my airmatic unit software updated from 2006 to 2008 nothing changes. I've had a new pump and all there sensors changed and to say the back was seized in a huge understatement, even with pliers it is physically impossible to get the plastic joint to move on its mild steel ball.
I agree if you stop on unlevel surfaces (one side of the road lower, or with a wheel on a kerb, when its running), to some extent the car attempts to stay level and this is just mental and pointless. But its subtle and inaudible
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Kalakov222 (05-05-2022)
04-02-2021, 08:16 AM
#13
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Arrie, mine does not go up or down in traffic, or when parked, or when stopped.... you may have two cars doing it, but unless USA does thing differently something strange is happening on both your cars. First step is to ensue all three the level sensor link rods are moving nicely, otherwise the car will be confused and may do silly things.
I even had my airmatic unit software updated from 2006 to 2008 nothing changes. I've had a new pump and all there sensors changed and to say the back was seized in a huge understatement, even with pliers it is physically impossible to get the plastic joint to move on its mild steel ball.
I agree if you stop on unlevel surfaces (one side of the road lower, or with a wheel on a kerb, when its running), to some extent the car attempts to stay level and this is just mental and pointless. But its subtle and inaudible
I even had my airmatic unit software updated from 2006 to 2008 nothing changes. I've had a new pump and all there sensors changed and to say the back was seized in a huge understatement, even with pliers it is physically impossible to get the plastic joint to move on its mild steel ball.
I agree if you stop on unlevel surfaces (one side of the road lower, or with a wheel on a kerb, when its running), to some extent the car attempts to stay level and this is just mental and pointless. But its subtle and inaudible
04-02-2021, 09:36 AM
#14
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This airmatic control algorithm is kind of stupid because the car controls its level (if too high) even when parked.
I now have two cars with it and both do the same thing, they drop after I park and close the door.
This is result of the down force that is generated when car moves. When you stop moving the car raises up as the down force goes away.
In traffic when stopped at traffic the car does not lower as the engine is running and I guess gear selector is on Drive so the car knows it will soon be moving again but as soon as I stop the engine, exit the car and close the door the car lowers to the set level. Both of my cars do this and I believe it is the stupid behavior Mercedes programmed them to do. My opinion is the Airmatic system should not do anything at all when car is turned off.
I have never seen my cars raise after i stop and exit them as I don’t think the compressor runs when car is turned off. If it did you would not see result of leaking air springs other than when it runs battery dead, which the don’t do.
I had leaks on my E-class and when this happened the car dropped over night and then raised right back up when started engine but it never ran the compressor with engine not running or ignition power on.
And it is so funny that the 1985 Lincoln Mark VII LSC that I used to have had this same exact behavior. It lowered the same way when parked and closed the door.
I now have two cars with it and both do the same thing, they drop after I park and close the door.
This is result of the down force that is generated when car moves. When you stop moving the car raises up as the down force goes away.
In traffic when stopped at traffic the car does not lower as the engine is running and I guess gear selector is on Drive so the car knows it will soon be moving again but as soon as I stop the engine, exit the car and close the door the car lowers to the set level. Both of my cars do this and I believe it is the stupid behavior Mercedes programmed them to do. My opinion is the Airmatic system should not do anything at all when car is turned off.
I have never seen my cars raise after i stop and exit them as I don’t think the compressor runs when car is turned off. If it did you would not see result of leaking air springs other than when it runs battery dead, which the don’t do.
I had leaks on my E-class and when this happened the car dropped over night and then raised right back up when started engine but it never ran the compressor with engine not running or ignition power on.
And it is so funny that the 1985 Lincoln Mark VII LSC that I used to have had this same exact behavior. It lowered the same way when parked and closed the door.
I've never monitored while driving with Xentry... but its supposed to check and adjust if necessary the suspension at a certain interval. In addition when you exceed a certain speed, the suspension lowers X mm and then raises when your speed drops. Looking at my compressor time on my 550 in 100k miles, its been running over a million seconds... or for every 10 miles it runs 2 minutes. Granted, when I got it both rear bags were blown... but I suspect in perspective of the age/mileage thats minimal and the system makes a lot of adjustments. Our wagon with similar milage has less compressor time, makes sense it only adjusting 1 axle.
04-04-2021, 10:46 AM
#15
MBWorld Fanatic!
This airmatic control algorithm is kind of stupid because the car controls its level (if too high) even when parked.
I now have two cars with it and both do the same thing, they drop after I park and close the door.
This is result of the down force that is generated when car moves. When you stop moving the car raises up as the down force goes away.
In traffic when stopped at traffic the car does not lower as the engine is running and I guess gear selector is on Drive so the car knows it will soon be moving again but as soon as I stop the engine, exit the car and close the door the car lowers to the set level. Both of my cars do this and I believe it is the stupid behavior Mercedes programmed them to do. My opinion is the Airmatic system should not do anything at all when car is turned off.
I have never seen my cars raise after i stop and exit them as I don’t think the compressor runs when car is turned off. If it did you would not see result of leaking air springs other than when it runs battery dead, which the don’t do.
I had leaks on my E-class and when this happened the car dropped over night and then raised right back up when started engine but it never ran the compressor with engine not running or ignition power on.
And it is so funny that the 1985 Lincoln Mark VII LSC that I used to have had this same exact behavior. It lowered the same way when parked and closed the door.
I now have two cars with it and both do the same thing, they drop after I park and close the door.
This is result of the down force that is generated when car moves. When you stop moving the car raises up as the down force goes away.
In traffic when stopped at traffic the car does not lower as the engine is running and I guess gear selector is on Drive so the car knows it will soon be moving again but as soon as I stop the engine, exit the car and close the door the car lowers to the set level. Both of my cars do this and I believe it is the stupid behavior Mercedes programmed them to do. My opinion is the Airmatic system should not do anything at all when car is turned off.
I have never seen my cars raise after i stop and exit them as I don’t think the compressor runs when car is turned off. If it did you would not see result of leaking air springs other than when it runs battery dead, which the don’t do.
I had leaks on my E-class and when this happened the car dropped over night and then raised right back up when started engine but it never ran the compressor with engine not running or ignition power on.
And it is so funny that the 1985 Lincoln Mark VII LSC that I used to have had this same exact behavior. It lowered the same way when parked and closed the door.
05-05-2022, 05:11 PM
#16
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W221-S500-2006, W123-250-1978, W126-500-1983
Ah, OK, I miss read first post, and thought meant rear.
The other thing to do before trying to level, is to check all the linkages to the level sensors are moving freely. Mines only done 60k Miles and I lucbricate the level adjusters twice a year, yet the rear snapped off in the summer !!! and one front was seized.
They are prone to seizure and then snapping, so as only $20 each fit 3 new ones then try and level it up
The other thing to do before trying to level, is to check all the linkages to the level sensors are moving freely. Mines only done 60k Miles and I lucbricate the level adjusters twice a year, yet the rear snapped off in the summer !!! and one front was seized.
They are prone to seizure and then snapping, so as only $20 each fit 3 new ones then try and level it up
My W221 was parked for long due to my own negligence in dealing with some issues. However before that from time to time, the system sometimes displayed an error when I wanted to raise the suspension. It would show "vehicle rising" but after some time, even though it did rise, a message displayed "malfunction".
The vehicle when parked for the extended periods (weeks/months), sank from all four wheels. Rose when started.
So last month I finally got to it and started the vehicle with the intention to resolve all issues. Drove it approx 120 miles, getting same errors as stated above for suspension "malfunction". After 2 weeks of the limited driving, I parked it and the same night the vehicle alarm rang (beeping sound) middle of the night, noticed that the front right side was lowered to lowest position. Started vehicle, it rose and sank again and did not rise again on its own. There was a hissing sound.
Please guide me to next steps to navigate and identify the exact issue.
05-05-2022, 05:28 PM
#17
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W221-S500-2006, W123-250-1978, W126-500-1983
W221 AIR SUSPENSION MALFUNCTION - FRONT RIGHT SINKING
05-05-2022, 07:27 PM
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
Hi, where can I get more visual reference / information on your very interesting input, tagged here.
My W221 was parked for long due to my own negligence in dealing with some issues. However before that from time to time, the system sometimes displayed an error when I wanted to raise the suspension. It would show "vehicle rising" but after some time, even though it did rise, a message displayed "malfunction".
The vehicle when parked for the extended periods (weeks/months), sank from all four wheels. Rose when started.
So last month I finally got to it and started the vehicle with the intention to resolve all issues. Drove it approx 120 miles, getting same errors as stated above for suspension "malfunction". After 2 weeks of the limited driving, I parked it and the same night the vehicle alarm rang (beeping sound) middle of the night, noticed that the front right side was lowered to lowest position. Started vehicle, it rose and sank again and did not rise again on its own. There was a hissing sound.
Please guide me to next steps to navigate and identify the exact issue.
My W221 was parked for long due to my own negligence in dealing with some issues. However before that from time to time, the system sometimes displayed an error when I wanted to raise the suspension. It would show "vehicle rising" but after some time, even though it did rise, a message displayed "malfunction".
The vehicle when parked for the extended periods (weeks/months), sank from all four wheels. Rose when started.
So last month I finally got to it and started the vehicle with the intention to resolve all issues. Drove it approx 120 miles, getting same errors as stated above for suspension "malfunction". After 2 weeks of the limited driving, I parked it and the same night the vehicle alarm rang (beeping sound) middle of the night, noticed that the front right side was lowered to lowest position. Started vehicle, it rose and sank again and did not rise again on its own. There was a hissing sound.
Please guide me to next steps to navigate and identify the exact issue.
05-06-2022, 03:02 PM
#19
Hi, where can I get more visual reference / information on your very interesting input, tagged here.
My W221 was parked for long due to my own negligence in dealing with some issues. However before that from time to time, the system sometimes displayed an error when I wanted to raise the suspension. It would show "vehicle rising" but after some time, even though it did rise, a message displayed "malfunction".
The vehicle when parked for the extended periods (weeks/months), sank from all four wheels. Rose when started.
So last month I finally got to it and started the vehicle with the intention to resolve all issues. Drove it approx 120 miles, getting same errors as stated above for suspension "malfunction". After 2 weeks of the limited driving, I parked it and the same night the vehicle alarm rang (beeping sound) middle of the night, noticed that the front right side was lowered to lowest position. Started vehicle, it rose and sank again and did not rise again on its own. There was a hissing sound.
Please guide me to next steps to navigate and identify the exact issue.
My W221 was parked for long due to my own negligence in dealing with some issues. However before that from time to time, the system sometimes displayed an error when I wanted to raise the suspension. It would show "vehicle rising" but after some time, even though it did rise, a message displayed "malfunction".
The vehicle when parked for the extended periods (weeks/months), sank from all four wheels. Rose when started.
So last month I finally got to it and started the vehicle with the intention to resolve all issues. Drove it approx 120 miles, getting same errors as stated above for suspension "malfunction". After 2 weeks of the limited driving, I parked it and the same night the vehicle alarm rang (beeping sound) middle of the night, noticed that the front right side was lowered to lowest position. Started vehicle, it rose and sank again and did not rise again on its own. There was a hissing sound.
Please guide me to next steps to navigate and identify the exact issue.
Like setting the ride height, especially if along the way you go full up or full down - this will often take a flexing seized level sensor and snap a few of the 4 legs that fix it to the car - with a sensor listing the heights start to get odd so you play more - that gets the pump working hard and the fuse pops.... no big deal as it shouldn't do anything in normal life - and may not even throw an error for months. But stick 3 big guys in the back and it can't compensate, then it will go strange and list, then balances itself out - but ends up lower all round - this usually causes it to throw a warning on the dash
a new relay and fuse is often enough to make the error vanish and get the lazy pump pumping again.... but if you don't tackle the level sensors within a thousand miles it snaps clean off and you get stuck - you can't drive it bottomed out - its too low and damages things and the air bags
