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1998 SL600 ADS2 ride height at maximum after alternator replacement.
VIN# WDBFA76F1WF158704: I have 18-inch tires, not the OG 16-inch. Had my alternator replaced at the local garage(non-Mercedes). After getting my car back, I noticed the height in front of the car was way high. The mile drive home was rock hard, felt every bump to say the least. When I got home, I opened the hood, and the suspension reservoir was empty. I then went online and ordered some FEBI-ZM. I filled the reservoir while running the car and there was no change in the front height of the car. I then ran the reservoir return line into a bucket to check the pump, appearing to work fine. The rear of the car appears to be fine. So, of course I have questions:
Could they have disconnected something while replacing the alternator?
Did my Nitro spheres get filled with air from lack of fluid?
Reading a lot about height linkage near the passenger side -- can be adjusted for ride height. Could this be the issue; maybe they disconnected it and hooked it back up in the wrong position?
I have been reading the forums for the past 2 months. Most ADS2 issues talk about suspension being too low. I have experienced that side of it already. Nothing I am reading speaks about the height being too high and rock hard. You feel every bump. New Nitro ***** were put in about 10 years ago by dealer. Suspension was working fine prior to alternator replacement. The local garage has offered to help me out; but I need to know what things to look for when it’s up on the lift. No leaks that I can see either. You can see by pictures and the ruler how high it is. These are my challenges. Any thoughts, suggestions, and assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Seeing as the front ADS level adjuster is near the alternator, why don't you check that?
My guess is it is no longer attached between the sensor and the body.
I didn't think the car would raise that high, no wonder your ADS reservoir is near empty.
I've commented/fixed the ADS system on my 97 SL600 a few times here and on the other site, do a search for diagnosing/repair/replacements. A little advice would be to only trust in folks that actually have an ADS car or have turned a wrench on one.
Manhunt is absolute right. You have to disconnect the linkage to the sensor to replace the alternator. Most likely it is broken now (not because there were gorillas at work but the linkage is old and brittle).
UPDATE**** It took me a while to figure this out, but with Gemini(Google's AI)she came up with the fix: When the altenator was replaced they put the car up on a lift dropping the wheels(tires) down and flipping the ride height sensor out 180 degrees. The dealer had no clue recommended a control board. Anyways easy fix just flip the Ride Height Sensor Arm back so it is looking at the ground not the top of the car. Fixed in 10 minutes!!!
UPDATE**** It took me a while to figure this out, but with Gemini(Google's AI)she came up with the fix: When the altenator was replaced they put the car up on a lift dropping the wheels(tires) down and flipping the ride height sensor out 180 degrees. The dealer had no clue recommended a control board. Anyways easy fix just flip the Ride Height Sensor Arm back so it is looking at the ground not the top of the car. Fixed in 10 minutes!!! Posting just in case someone else may run across this issue in the future
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