JC5331

Hello

I am getting the malfunction message in yellow on start up. The car does not raise and lower at all when the doors unlock like I am used to hearing. It definitely does not appear to be airbag failure because the car is sitting uniformly with about a 3" gap between the tire and the fender wells on all tires.

I recently had the brakes done all the way around and found the passenger front strut is in need of replacing but was not anywhere near failure. Could this be the culprit?

Also any other suggestions appreciated? Any chance of DIY or am I basically screwed and have to go to the dealer?

I have read through the e63 stickys and im not quite seeing exactly my problem.

Thanks in advance.

CZ 75

Check to see if your front headlight level sensors are loose. They are attached to the tie rods. My passenger side one was and that resulted in an suspension malfunction.

JC5331

can I access that from the engine bay or by climbing under the car? I have an idea what it looks like but just want to be sure.

kevm14

Get an iCarSoft MB V3.0. It will scan all modules and most likely will pinpoint the malfunction.

Wish I remembered where the height sensors are on the front. I'm used to them being attached to the upper control arms on my E55 and S550 but these are strut so no upper control arms...

Get the front in the air and poke your head in the wheel well.

JC5331

I orordered one from Amazon. Will be here tomorrow. Will report back with codes. Thx

CZ 75

You can easily reach them from the front of the car when laying down. They are attached to the tie rods so bottom part of the suspension. Helps to have long arms.

PeterUbers

your own thread!

https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...popped-up.html

CZ 75

Yup! I was too lazy to find it lmao. You came in the clutch Pete!

Rehabguy

LOL!

kevm14

Oh yeah now I remember those weird clamps.

JC5331

well I got the scanner. When I read the fault code it says "compressed air distribution is leaky." Where would I begin with that?

Rehabguy

Maybe referring to Valve Block Assembly since it "distributes" air in the AriMatic system?

Full article from FCP The Definitive Guide To The Mercedes-Benz AIRMATIC Suspension System

GL with fixing the issue.

Valvestud

I had the same error and it ended up being the compressor. You really should get it hooked to Star and run the various tests. If it's the compressor, its relatively inexpensive and easy to change.

Regards,

Joe

kevm14

The MB V3.0 claims to support some bidirectional control. Might be cool to try and see if it can conduct any of those diagnostics.

JC5331

I've installed the new compressor and nothing is happening. I'm assuming there's a way to calibrate the suspension on the MB 3.0 but I don't know how. I've tried to clear the code and the pump still does not come on. I also now have active headlamps inoperative message as well. Any ideas?

CZ 75

Did you check the level sensors up front like I mentioned in my OP?

JC5331

Heres the driver and passenger sensors. What do you think? What would you say is considered loose?

JC5331

in putting it back together and about to give up I found this wire and its tape protector that goes to the compressor itself...do you think that's enough exposed wire to short it out?

CZ 75

Impossible to tell from those pics. You need to grab the end that connects to metal bracket - attached to the tie rod. See if the bracket is loose.

CZ 75

Unless it’s exposed down to the bare wire(and they are touching each other) - no.

JC5331

The one wire is down to bare wire for sure.

They arent touching though

JC5331

So here's the final update. The dealer got back to me and said all the car needs is a calibration and alignment of the suspension. So I suspect replacing the air pump was the correct diagnosis. I just couldn't run the calibration myself with the MB 3.0. As far as the active headlamp issue, I don't believe they are connected. Thanks for all your help gentlemen.


-Jim

PeterUbers

Headlamps indeed connected to front height sensors

https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...lfunction.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...popped-up.html

wseikow

I just got the error yesterday. My symtoms are the car is in the lowest level on both sides.

Would this indicate a more likely failure of a specific component since it's in the low position, and on both sides.

Thanks for anything .
Just don't want to go to the service shop and give them carte blanche.

Valvestud

In my opinion, and assuming no other obvious damage, the likely failure is the compressor. It's the hardest working part of the system. I replaced mine and resolved the error. Not difficult to replace and online sources for it are pretty reasonable. I would also change the little filter that provides clean air to the compressor.