AIRMATIC problem 2004 S350 - help appreciated!

[silversilver]

Hi guys,

This morning the an error message appeared on the dash "AIRMATIC - VISIT WORKSHOP" . Ive never had problems with it before, and not really messed with the settings at all...does anyone have an idea what the problem could be? (I realise it may be hard to guess with limited info, but any help greatly appreciated)

Thanks

 

[Benzowner]

I guess you have tried turning off the ignition and restarting. I had a similar problem a few months ago, the warning message said the suspension was too low and I should not drive. Checked everything out, all seemed ok, restarted the engine and hit the "High" switch on the dash, warning disappeared and I have had no problems since. I asked the dealer to investigate when last in for a service, and there were no faults

 

[silversilver]

Stange... will try changing the settings to "high" and see if that works, when I re-start..
Thanks for the tip , really hope it is as simple as that!

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I hope that you don't have what I just suffered!

Have you noticed any clunking over bumpy roads?

I just had both rear shock absorbers replaced, cost just shy of £2k.

Thanks warranty people!

 

[hygt2]

Check for air leaks (soapy water on top of suspension struts and whether your car sinks when left for days) and noise pump when raising the car.

Try giving cycling various settings (high/low and comfort/sport 1/sport 2). Quite often I heard people with Airmatic problems are those who has never given the system regular "exercise".

 

[silversilver]

Thanks guys, I would say I am in that category of people that doesnt really use the feature much, or at all..in terms of changing settings etc...not noticed any probs with bumpy roads, still a bit concerning that it cost you 2k as Ive just had both cats replaced at MB! Will probably take it for a diagnosis..and see if they are any wiser...how long should the shock absorbers last before they need replacing (as a rough guide?)

 

[silversilver]

Guys, tried messing around with different settings, and no joy. It looks like now the car is so low that every time I go over a bump at more than crawling speed, or even when I floor it from standing I get the red warning message: STOP Car too Low!

So I cant do anything to raise the car...any ideas would be greatly appreciated as to what the problem could be? or how much this may cost to fix?

Thanks

 

[tromppost]

Start by taken it to a garage to get it fixed before you do more damage!!

 

[A-AvantGarde]

So I cant do anything to raise the car...any ideas would be greatly appreciated as to what the problem could be? or how much this may cost to fix?

Thanks

Hi welcome to the forum, sounds like you've got an Airmatic failure. I'm afraid that it's fairly common on the W220 S Class. I believe it's typically a pump that fails although there are others on here that know far more. My Dad had his fail whilst he was visiting one weekend last year. Mobilo arranged a loan Merc GL for him so he could get home. Then after diagnostics they took his car back to Liverpool on the back of a flat bed with no fault found!

After another couple weeks again on the way back from London he had the same error as you this time on the A404 (M) "Car too low STOP", so this time they took him and the car straight Liverpool on a flat bed and left the car at Mercedes Liverpool (as he wasn't happy with Mercedes Reading where they took it the first time). I think Mercedes made a goodwill contribution as it was out of warranty by then but he does have Full MB SH.

 

[Zulu-Boy]

May be worth a try to check the fuses - pump is electrical and can fail or blow a fuse. If it is a fuse thats the cause, you will be able to replace it yourself. By a process of elimination you can then reach a stage where you'd have to make a decision to get it sorted out by a MB specialist.

 

[eGuru]

Start by taken it to a garage to get it fixed before you do more damage!!

Agree with Trompost, get it looked at before you do any more damage (like I did).

 

[silversilver]

Thanks again for all the advice, wondering now if I should take it to a specialist, or directly to MB as they may offer a contribution? They paid 50% of the bill when one of my cats went, its a 2004 model.

A-Avantgarde - do you remember how much it cost to correct?

Cheers

 

[Chattonmill]

I had a similar problem a few months ago, the warning message said the suspension was too low and I should not drive.

I had the same message, but I had just filled the car up with the remains of a conservatory that I had dismantled.........unloaded half the breeze blocks and all was fine again!

I have had a few cars with air suspension and I definately find that 'excercising' them occasionally does improve things, although that may just be in my mind

 

[glojo]

I wouldsay get it looked at sooner rather than later..that message is there for a reason andthe bad\good newsis that it gets recorded. If you have a serious accident and someone gets badly hurt; I am guessing that a) You will blame yourself for not getting it fixed, and b) If anyone triessuing you, then you willbe in deep, deep do - do ..Driving a motor vehicle that you know is defective.

Goodwill repairs are quite common with Mercedes but they are more common for those that use their dealerships. However we always hear of folks that are lucky and do get these generous offers even though they have never crossed the threshold of these locations.

Sadly a modern S-class is a complex bit of kit that needs spoiling,I wish you luck, but PLEASE get that car looked at assoon as possible.

 

[silversilver]

Yep, good point, will be taking it to get looked at now. Never been to anywhere else but MB dealerships for any work or servicing so far, hence why I think they have been quite good with goodwill in the past. The problem now is I am covered by a warranty that will only pay a certain £ per hour labour rate, lower than what MB would charge. So now looking for a good independent in Manchester/NW. I have used the search on the forum, but many posts do not follow up with feedback on how good/bad the guys were! Any reccomendations of where to take the car?
Thanks

 

[glojo]

Yep, good point, will be taking it to get looked at now. Never been to anywhere else but MB dealerships for any work or servicing so far, hence why I think they have been quite good with goodwill in the past. The problem now is I am covered by a warranty that will only pay a certain £ per hour labour rate, lower than what MB would charge. So now looking for a good independent in Manchester/NW. I have used the search on the forum, but many posts do not follow up with feedback on how good/bad the guys were! Any reccomendations of where to take the car?
Thanks

Be very selective regarding these 'good' independant garages... Check they can work on your specific modern Mercedes-Benz

I know of a few that have legitimate 'legal' STAR diagnostic eqipment, but it is a very few.

Pleasedo not misunderstand my point about emphasising the word 'legal'. I am guessing that some folks do notgive a hoot whether the equipment is genuine or not and that is noneof my business; I only emphasis it because this equipment is needed to install allthe very regular Sevice Upgrades that are issued by Mercedes-Benz. These upgrades are free and applied whenever our vehicles go in for a service or maintanance; they are sometimes very important and are all beneficial.

I do not know of any Independant that gets the Technical Service Bulletins that are also a regular item that all manufacturers use to inform their dealers of any issues that might arise with a specific model within their range. These bulletins are not to be ignored and are ther nearest thing to a recall without the adverse publicity and yes there have been quite literally dozens for the S-class (and Lexus)

A good independant is worth their weight in gold but just remember... A penny saved might cost a pound to put right

I hate being a killjoy, but I have readso many tales of woe tregarding folks trying toskimp in servicing these very modern, very complex vehicles.

 

[silversilver]

Very interesting comments, which are useful to someone like me who is not the most technically minded person (but I am trying to learn!). It is for this reason that I have only used MB for everything so far, because I think you have more of a comeback against shoddy work, and you should be guaranteed (in theory) to have people who know what they are doing. Saying that I am sure there are people on here who would disagree....and I guess it's worth finding out if there is someone local to me before taking it down to the dealership