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Had the car about a year and I've seen this only a handful of times. It seems to pop up after/during stop and go driving for whatever reason. Well this time I was driving on some crappy roads (ironically, to MB to get some underbody cover hardware) and that's when I noticed that the ride was extremely firm. I suspect it always goes to full firm when there is a malfunction but I never noticed until now. When I got to my destination, I shut the car off, did my transaction and restarted. Malfunction was gone and ride was normal.
I decided to scan for codes and got these two.
I'm thinking the sensor is getting flakey and during stop and go, the ride variation is limited (compared to the other sensors) and it flags the issue. I can't say this was the code any previous time as I didn't realize the car with the up arrow was an Airmatic malfunction until recently, so I never scanned before.
So obviously I have a sensor coming. WIS says a rear sensor replacement does NOT require ride height recalibration but a front sensor does. I don't have Star and I assume my iCarsoft MB-II cannot do a recalibration so my plan is to install it, see where it puts the right front ride height and hopefully shim the sensor to get it right. If it's too high, I can shim it down. If it's too low I either have to bend stuff, or get lowering links I suppose and adjust them the other way. But any thoughts out there on replacing a front sensor and what the result was?
I have good news. My local MB dealer stocks the sensor, for $160. I was like, can you match the price from an online dealer ($115)? She says no, but we have our own online parts site so go there and do local pickup. Price should be competitive. Sure enough, it was actually $10 cheaper than the NY dealer I had been using (plus no shipping)!! This is quite a find. So I ordered and should be able to pick up today and get this sorted, and I'm sure no calibration required.
P/N is 000-905-65-02 for the front sensors. For anyone local this is MB of Warwick in RI. Handy.
I had this a few years ago, got a pair of used sensors on Ebay for dirt cheap and no more issues. These can also go bad if you work in the engine area a lot and set a ratchet down too hard on them for example, something to watch for if you're like me and occasionally use strut tops as tool benches haha.
Not sure if I'm to start a new thread or post in here.
Not trying to hijacker this thread. If needed, I'll open a new one.
Ok, so less than a year into owning my E55 and I get Airmatic visit workshop message on a dash (white message). The interesting thing is that the message comes and goes.
I'm not experienced with scanners or codes. If you could point me in right direction, I'd appreciate it!
I got a scanned from a friend and this is what it found:
Not sure if I'm to start a new thread or post in here.
Not trying to hijacker this thread. If needed, I'll open a new one.
Ok, so less than a year into owning my E55 and I get Airmatic visit workshop message on a dash (white message). The interesting thing is that the message comes and goes.
I'm not experienced with scanners or codes. If you could point me in right direction, I'd appreciate it!
I got a scanned from a friend and this is what it found:
To me this looks like you've got leaks at the front struts or other air components up front, especially the last two codes indicating the car is too low, and is taking too long to fill air indicating a leak. Do you notice the front of your car lower at times, especially after being parked for extended periods? And are you hearing the compressor a lot? This unfortunately is not a simple fix like the sensors mentioned by the OP of this thread, those are different codes entirely. The kicker is that it's probably a slow leak, however if these compressors run too long for extended periods of time, they will burn out, and can leave you stuck. Also adding another $500 of parts into the mix of things to replace. Proper diagnosis at a shop w/ STAR would be the next step, but gut feeling says plan on new front struts at the very least.
Not sure if I'm to start a new thread or post in here.
Not trying to hijacker this thread. If needed, I'll open a new one.
Ok, so less than a year into owning my E55 and I get Airmatic visit workshop message on a dash (white message). The interesting thing is that the message comes and goes.
I'm not experienced with scanners or codes. If you could point me in right direction, I'd appreciate it!
I got a scanned from a friend and this is what it found:
To me this looks like you've got leaks at the front struts or other air components up front, especially the last two codes indicating the car is too low, and is taking too long to fill air indicating a leak. Do you notice the front of your car lower at times, especially after being parked for extended periods? And are you hearing the compressor a lot? This unfortunately is not a simple fix like the sensors mentioned by the OP of this thread, those are different codes entirely. The kicker is that it's probably a slow leak, however if these compressors run too long for extended periods of time, they will burn out, and can leave you stuck. Also adding another $500 of parts into the mix of things to replace. Proper diagnosis at a shop w/ STAR would be the next step, but gut feeling says plan on new front struts at the very least.
I thought the same thing. But I don't see any sides of the car sagging after just sitting over the weekend. Honestly, I don't even hear the compressor going, or hear any air leaks.
This is why I posted here, because people in here are way more knowledgeable about the car than myself.
Forgot to mention that both of the front struts have been replaced in 2019.
Almost seems like both front struts are unplugged. Could that be possible?
A friend of mine suggested the same thing, as all of the errors say "open circuit".
I will have to go though entire suspension this weekend and check all the plugs.
Not sure if I'm to start a new thread or post in here.
Not trying to hijacker this thread. If needed, I'll open a new one.
Ok, so less than a year into owning my E55 and I get Airmatic visit workshop message on a dash (white message). The interesting thing is that the message comes and goes.
I'm not experienced with scanners or codes. If you could point me in right direction, I'd appreciate it!
I got a scanned from a friend and this is what it found:
If you have Arnott air springs on the front, it could be the sensor coil harness on the Arnotts. If so, those sensor coils can be replaced. Mine was covered under warranty by Arnott. It is the cylinder mounted on the front of the shock that replicates the OEM valve assembly.
If so, to remove and reinstall the connector, you will need to "lift up and pull out on the lower edge" of the plastic holder that holds the three harness connectors so you can access the one to the shocks.
I've bought the car with both front airmatic shocks replaced. So I'm not sure what company was used to replace them. Will find out this weekend. Wish me luck!
On the central reservoir error #8, could it be a bad/dirty filter that causes the delay in response?
Update:
Spent a day inspecting the connectors, wires, hoses. Didn't see anything that could cause an "open circuit".
Did some soap and water testing. Didn't find any leaks.
I did find a couple of fuses that have been switched places. One of them was for airmatic system. Cleared the codes in hopes errors don't come back.
Update:
This morning took the car to work and the message on a central console came up again: "airmatic visit workshop".
So, I scanned the car again. The only message that I got in a suspension module is "5503. Recovery time during filling of central reservoir is too long" (see attached picture).
Any suggestions on what could cause this to pop up?
I'm guessing a failing compressor, but want to pick your guy's brains.
Also, figured the codes that don't say "current and stored" at the bottom of the screen are old codes that never got cleared out.
Cleared the "open circuit" codes, and have not seen them since. My guess, those codes came up when front suspension was worked on and never got cleared.
So, a little update on my "visit workshop" issue. It turned out that the air compressor was on its last leg and was not generating enough pressure in time that computer set for normal parameters. Oh, and the compressor intake hose had a nice crack in it.
Replaced everything with a kit from FCP euro, cleared the codes and all is good... Until a week later my front air shocks started to drop in height... Joy of having an air ride.
Forgot to update on the progress of sagging shock.
it was a blown shock on a passenger side. Both sides were dropping due to level sensors trying to level the car as one side lost air.
Took the car to a local shop and got the shock replaced with arnott, since they have a lifetime warranty. Cost me $400 in labor. Shock had less than 20k on it... Maybe a lemon shock? Who knows.
Forgot to update on the progress of sagging shock.
it was a blown shock on a passenger side. Both sides were dropping due to level sensors trying to level the car as one side lost air.
Took the car to a local shop and got the shock replaced with arnott, since they have a lifetime warranty. Cost me $400 in labor. Shock had less than 20k on it... Maybe a lemon shock? Who knows.
Exact reason why I want to switch to coilovers. I can sacrifice the ride comfort for the stress-relief of getting away from airmatics. Out of the three E55s I've owned, only the current one & first one did not have issues with airmatics (all 2006s). The second E55 I owned, I replaced two one F one R, and there were leaks in the other two already so replaced those too).
Car needs a little more sporty feel anyway, it's plenty comfortable. Just my thoughts...
I've had my 04 for 2 years now. I did replace the rear shocks which was a bit spendy (not as bad as struts). My rears (particularly left rear) will leak down when parked for a week or two but doesn't seem to matter much. I also suspect my front struts (the shock part) could stand a refresh just from a damping standpoint. But the car has 142k+ and I am good with the performance and reliability of the system. I sold a CTS-V that was a handling machine by comparison but that was a trade-off I made on purpose. If I wanted anything close to that feel out of my E55 I do recognize I'd probably need coil overs. But for what I use the car for and why I bought it, I would never switch.
I also like the 3 damping options (I can feel the difference but usually stay in Sport 1). Plus I like the raise button in certain situations. It also does help the car ride reasonably well for sub-standard New England daily driving.
hi all - was hoping for a little help as i'm now regularly getting the same error message. i've had the car close to 5 years and in the first couple years i got this message maybe 3-4 times in total. I didn't think much of it as it just popped up occasionally and didn't seen it at all for nearly 3 years. unfortunately it's now popping up almost every time i drive it. i don't have a scan tool (maybe it's a good idea to finally pick one up) but i don't notice any sagging, out of the ordinary compressor noises or an overly stiff ride. seems that my options are a tired compressor or the speed sensors. was wondering if there was any telltale signs for it being the compressor - is there hissing? make more noise? is there sagging? hoping to narrow it down instead of tossing $250 at it with the sensors or taking the time to rebuild the compressor. then again it's a nearly 20 year old car with 70k on it so maybe it could use both? any help is appreciated.
Which message do you get? I got the acceleration sensor error not too log ago and was able to source 2 new OE sensors for the price of 1 at the MB dealer. You can also go aftermarket, but I have noticed that my CLS55 is pretty picky with sensors, so I went with OE.
After replacing them, there is no "learning" procedure needed in Xentry/STAR.
[edit]
I can recommend the MBCarsoft v3 for day-to-day scanning and some basics diagnostics/servicing, code clearing. It can also test the Airmatic compressor (puts 14 bar on the lines)
Last edited by nd-photo.nl; Jun 19, 2023 at 11:32 AM.
I believe the sensors you're looking for are on the shock towers under the hood. My passengers side (I have a LHD car) one sometimes gets triggered and I get that warning. I've been meaning to replace it but it happens so rarely that I haven't bothered.
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