Dreaded 5508 AirMatic Fault Code
 

Hey guys, hoping you guys can assist.

Got the dreaded 5508 AirMatic malfunction code a while back. Let the car sit for about 2 weeks before I touched it. Car would hold its height as long as I kept it parked.

Cleared error 5508, code came back
Replaced compressor with new unit, cleared code, then code came back
Body still as same height now 4 weeks later

Buddy recommended that I replace relay and cut the compressor line so it has a fresh end at the fitting. I replaced relay with brand new hella relay, and checked line. Car still returning error 5508, and I've never seen the compressor power on since error first appeared with either the original or new compressor/relay combo. Buddy was able to power the compressor directly to confirm it works. He also checked the original relay and it was working fine. Car after this last time I removed compressor air line is now sitting on its control arms on the driver side. :(

Thoughts? Do I need a STAR computer to appropriately address reset and initialization of AirMatic? Been about a month and a half and me very sad.

Jeez that sucks man. Sorry to hear, hopefully you can get it sorted out quick.

What happens when you start the car, does it raise up to normal height? Can you raise and lower the car?

i've not heard the compressor turn on like ever. lol

all fuses are good, relays are good, compressor is good.

I never hear my compressor either. I just get confused when my car starts to go up and down at the stoplight. It still throws me off every time I see the nose rise up

Are you checking the correct fuse and relay?

i checked the 40 amp big fuse and relay at the far back of engine bay fuse box. the standalone relay connected to standalone connector/harness. also checked fuse box on drivers side dash. lists 2-3 fuses for AirMatic.

The airmatic pump 40a fuse is located in the front prefuse block F32 fuse number 74. This is under the passenger front floor area. Pull carpet back and remove the 3 10mm plastic nuts and there you have it.

thanks for the info...i'll look there!

nope... and now I can't get the fuse box back into its holder. ughhhhAttachment 370517

Pull the actual fuse out of the holder. Sometimes the connection actually burns so it looks ok from the top but underneath it could be burnt.

which one is it

.

Number 74. I cant remember exact location.

finally found a property diagram.

Attachment 370515Attachment 370516

pulled fuse out according to diagram. no issues.

Hmmm. Only other thing that I can think of is a bad relay even though it's new. Other than this it's gonna take some deeper in person diagnosing by someone familiar with the system.

ok thanks for the help.

Sorry to bump an old thread but I just got this code as well. Both front struts are new, and car has been riding fine for a couple months but every day I would get a "visit workshop" message on the dash but I just ignored it, until the other day I went to take a drive and I got the red STOP Vehicle Too Low! message and noticed the front end slammed, more on the passenger side but both sides very low. Rear looks fine.

I have heard my compressor kick on occasionally but it doesn't seem to be able to affect the height. I don't hear air leaking anywhere. Could it be the valve body? I'm thinking about changing that but I don't like throwing parts at a problem. Is there anything else I should check first?

This sounds like your passenger's front air strut is leaking and needs replacement.

were these rebuilt or new units? the fronts i believe are on separate air lines if you've lost that much air while driving it definitely sounds like your airbag has ruptured. when my drivers side front ruptured i heard a large hissing....and believe i heard my compressor kick on to fight the air loss...after a few minutes i did see the stop vehicle too low. only my front drivers side was dipped, the passenger side was level.

most if not all rebuilt airmatic struts use higher quality bellows which generally come with a lifetime warranty.

My fronts are both rebuilt Arnott units with the lifetime warranty. I just changed them both within a month of each other just a couple months ago. The front passenger side is the newest one. I changed the driver side unit because my original one ruptured, and only changed the passenger one for symmetry. I was getting the "Visit Workshop" message before I changed the passenger side unit. I don't believe it's the air strut. The only hissing noise I've heard is from the area around the pump / valve block.

I hate to throw parts at a problem, but considering the age and mileage on this car I'm considering this a refresh of wear items, I've ordered a replacement brand new OEM Mercedes valve block from FCP Euro and a pump rebuild kit from Amazon. Hopefully one or both of these will fix my issue. If not I will be very disappointed and confused. Either way, I will post back when they are installed.

if i'm not mistaken you should be able to rig up some airline and test the strut while in car while car is on a lift or on jack stands. i would recommend air-ing each side up individually and listen for air leaks. Soapy water in a spray bottle will be your best friend as well.

with the message on your dash you should continue to see the compressor pumping air. not sure if it times out after x attempts or time frame. you might just need to get a bottle of soapy water to isolate the issue.

http://www.mercedesmedic.com/air-sus...isit-workshop/

I thought MB was warrantying the suspension on these cars for an extended period, am I wrong?

i believe ABC (hydraulic) suspension received an extended warranty. no for Airmatic.

sorry guys...i realized i did not update this thread with the solution. honestly its been so long that i don't recall exactly, but i think this is what occured...from what I recall i replaced the compressor and relay...neither seemed to be the issue.

i did have to repair one of the airmatic computer pins as one pin was broken at the midpoint on the harness connector...this resolved issues for the most part. friend bought a newer diagnostic scanner and fully reset all logged codes. all functionality returned.

1 week later, was having issues with Sport 1 and Sport 2 causing dash to light up stating AirMatic inoperable i believe. after another scan, we identified that the G27? G-Force sensor on one of the front strut towers was throwing a code for being faulty. After replacement and reset of all codes all was perfect. come back 3 years later, my other sensor went faulty and replaced that side as well. I did receive a check engine code for this. my local Mercedes specialist ran a systems check with their Star/DAS and identified the sensor to be faulty. diagnostic shows it did register G forces, but logged codes show it has faults.