Airmatic suspension issues

Tiny
SNHERRING
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S500
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Hello, I am having major issues with the air handling compressor in this car. I have replaced the pump 2x and replaced the struts. I have checked the fuses but not the relay. The first time I replaced the pump the fuses were blown. After replacing and putting in a new pump the car dropped again. We thought the first pump was bad. Now the car has dropped again. I have not checked the relay.


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/458666_s500_drop_1.jpg



http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/458666_mercedes_drop_1.jpg

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Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 AT 9:11 AM

31 Replies

Tiny
KASEM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hello,

There is a airmatic control relay that wound like it is not working here is a guide to help you test it and the location of the relay along with the wiring diagrams for the system so you can see how it works.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers
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Wednesday, August 8th, 2012 AT 12:45 AM
Tiny
KEITHMLANKHEET
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thank you for this guide! It was the relay on my car I fixed it for $32.00 :) I love this site.
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:07 PM
Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
  • 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S500
Suspension problem
2003 Mercedes Benz S500 V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic 27, *** miles

I was driving the s500 on the highway and out of nowhere the air ride just quit and the car slammed on the ground. I few weeks before that I had taking it to the dealer and they toll me the brain that controls the air suspention had some corrosion on and needed to be replaced, so now I bought a new brain and the car is still the same, so is there any way to reset the system or do something so that it would go back up?
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
First I need to know what slams to the ground, front? Back? Or the entire car?
This is from MB on single axle lowering.
VEHICLE LEVEL LOWERS ON A SINGLE AXLE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN Reference Number(s): P-B-32.50/42, Â Date of Issue: Â October 11, 2006 Related Ref Number(s): 32.50/42 ARTICLE BEGINNING SUBJECT Model 215.373/374/375/376/378/379 Model 220.170/173/174/175/176/178/179, with Active Body Control (ABC) code 487 Model 221.171/176/179, with Active Body Control (ABC) code 487 Model 230.471/474/475/476/477/479 All Model Years Vehicle Level Lowers on a Single Axle SERVICE INFORMATION If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles of the vehicle's level lowering on a single axle on a single side after an idle time lasting from 1 day to one week, perform the new filter repair method as outlined in WIS document AR32.50-P-0025A instead of the previous flushing method. Leveling complaints resulting from dirty ABC hydraulic fluid can be rectified just as effectively by filtering as by the conventional flushing method (replacing the hydraulic fluid). The new repair method is possible because the mesh width of the ABC filter was modified from 10microm to 3microm. Filtering is of no use if the ABC fluid is dark black or smells burnt. In such cases the hydraulic fluid must be replaced, reference WIS document AR32.50-P-0026A.
MERCEDES- BENZ: Model 215.373/374/375/376/378/379; Model 220.170/173/174/175/176/178/179; Model 221.171/176/179; Model 230.471/474/475/476/477/479 GROUP: 32 - Suspension NOTE: Vehicle lowering is generally not the result of a malfunction of a suspension strut. The suspension strut can only be responsible for vehicle lowering if it has an external leak. This can be recognized by an oil fouled boot. NOTE: The revised 3microm ABC filter entered series production as of October 2005.
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
The whole car is slammed on the groung right now. Also the car does not have ABC.
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
There is a technical service bulletin on the wiring being cut by the wiper linkage, I will email it to you.
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HAROLDGENE
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Check out Strutmasters; they have a great conversion kit!
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Probably fixed by now
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GEORGIAPEACHES1969
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500
  • 151,000 MILES
Not working, car has been parked awhile and system was working fine when it was parked, but not now. I know compressor under hood and it coming on. Took tires off and look at pumps and took shields under car off to look at lines. But don't know what to do now to find out what the issue could be. Could you tell me what to check and how?
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SEANGRANT00
  • MECHANIC
  • 334 POSTS
Have you checked the battery? What size engine do you have?

Sean
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALBERT ALMERNDAREZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 MERCEDES BENZ S500
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Steering wheel shakes at speeds of 60mph up, would air ride suspension not working cause this problem? Is there any way to test air ride?
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GFIMOTORCARS
  • MECHANIC
  • 673 POSTS
Air suspension sitting low may contribute to the shaking but is not likely the soul cause. You may have worn steering dampner, worn suspension or steering components.
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JANINE1
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500
  • 100,000 MILES
I have an 01 Mercedes S500 and the air suspension just failed on me. Its very low in the rear. ! Help please Whats the best option to do?
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HAROLDGENE
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Janine,

Have you token it to the shop to be sure its the air suspension? Could be a leak somewhere?

Harold
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JANINE1
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Yeah they told me I needed to replace the whole air suspension. The cost was really outrageous. But the price was like 4500 to fix it but I mean if that's the only choice then guess I got no other option but to fix it.
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HAROLDGENE
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Janine,

You shouldn't give up so easily. That wouldn't be the only option you have. There is one more. You are able to convert the air suspension over to coil over springs.
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JANINE1
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Really.. How does that work?
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DCHAEL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
The suspension lost its ability to retain air and the front suspension has collapsed. Any help?
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GFIMOTORCARS
  • MECHANIC
  • 673 POSTS
This is a very common issue on this vehicle. The air pump relay sticks causing the pump to over amp, which takes out he maxi fuse. The repair will require a new air suspension pump, 40 maxi fuse and pump relay.
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HAROLDGENE
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Well its called a conversion kit that eliminates the air suspension, that way you never have to worry about the air system again.
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Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)

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