Airmatic on 01 S500, Narrow Down Problems
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Florida
01 S500
Airmatic on 01 S500, Narrow Down Problems
I own a 2001 S500 with roughly 80k on it. Purchased 3 weeks ago. I noticed when I would hit a big bump, the right rear tire actually would hit the fender wall. I do have 20 inch wheels, but still, bumps should not push the wheel in, so I figure it was the Airmatic. Sometimes when I get out of the car I hear a hiss, like air being let out, that would last about 3-4 seconds. (I thought maybe it was normal)
A couple days ago, driving back from Orlando, the entire car slowly lowered onto the tires while driving on the highway. All 4 corners, flat onto the tires. I got the "Airmatic - STOP - Vehicle too low" message in red. No response from the Airmatic button either.
I had the vehicle towed.
They checked fuses - GOOD
They checked Relays (Said they were getting power)
I switched the "O" relay and "F" relay and tried to start car, nothing. Still sits like a 64 impala low rider.
I spoke with the dealer, and he said it sounds like the relay gave out. If it was the pump, it would not have lowered like that, and you would still hear it clocking on. If it was a hose, you would hear the pump too. He said it must be the relay.
My question is, if it IS a relay ($14) when I switched it with another to see if it worked and nothing happened, doesnt that rule that out? Any ideas would be helpful before I have to tow to MB dealer...
A couple days ago, driving back from Orlando, the entire car slowly lowered onto the tires while driving on the highway. All 4 corners, flat onto the tires. I got the "Airmatic - STOP - Vehicle too low" message in red. No response from the Airmatic button either.
I had the vehicle towed.
They checked fuses - GOOD
They checked Relays (Said they were getting power)
I switched the "O" relay and "F" relay and tried to start car, nothing. Still sits like a 64 impala low rider.
I spoke with the dealer, and he said it sounds like the relay gave out. If it was the pump, it would not have lowered like that, and you would still hear it clocking on. If it was a hose, you would hear the pump too. He said it must be the relay.
My question is, if it IS a relay ($14) when I switched it with another to see if it worked and nothing happened, doesnt that rule that out? Any ideas would be helpful before I have to tow to MB dealer...
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Northern Ca
2004 SL500, 2003 S55, 2002 S430 RIP, 1999 ML430, 1999 SLK Sports 230 Compressor "Sold"
Can you hear the airmatic pump at all? If the relay was bad they usually stick and will cause the pump to keep running. If you cant hear it it may be the pump itself.
I would go to Arnotts for the airmatic pump.
I would go to Arnotts for the airmatic pump.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Florida
01 S500
The relay was replaced and nothing. I brought it a diag shop who said the 40amp fuse keeps popping from a short in the pump. $360 for the pump and about $350 to install and replace everything.
