Airmatic suspension problem

Tiny
KRW1832
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S430
  • 4.3L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Recently bought the car listed above from a guy who told me the car had some issues. He drove the car with a bad alternator and was over voltage the system until he parked it. He got the passenger fuse box under the hood replaced and the one under the rear seat. This was not done by a MB mechanic however which worried me. He also explained that the battery drains over time and was not sure why so he put a shutoff on it to prevent it from draining. The biggest problem? Airmatic system does not get any power. Both relay and fuse do not get power but every other fuse and relay works fine minus those two.

The center console buttons to make the car rise don't work, some other features don't seem to work, my gas gauge doesn't work. I get the follow messages on the dash: "display defective visit workshop" "coolant level low" even though the car has coolant topped right up and a few other things indicating lights burnt out, ABS or ESP isn't functioning properly etc.

My question is, why is both the relay and fuse not getting power but every other fuse and relay in the car working properly? I really do not like electrical problems.
Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 2:54 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Hi,

If only those two aren't getting power, you really need to remove the fuse box and check connections behind it. I have to be honest, if the vehicle was used for an extended period of time with the alternator over charging, that could have causes a few different issues. Since the fuse boxes were replaced indicates there were problems.

I attached a pic below from the wiring schematic. Let me know if these are the fuses you are referring to. Also, if you haven't already, check the relay.

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 10:41 PM
Tiny
KRW1832
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hello,

Sorry for the long wait. Was busy with work. Yes those are indeed the two fuses I am talking about. The relay tested fine, I took the fuse box out and couldnt find any melted or frayed wiring. Didnt find any loose connections to the fuse box either. Checked under the passenger foot well and no fuses were blown there either. Cleaned all connections to make sure and nothing.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 11:59 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Hi,

Is there power at fuse 3? (150 amp)

If there is power there, does it leave the fuse?

Joe
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 5:40 PM

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