Airmatic sensor Jenga..

[Paxmanmerv]

Afternoon all!
Got an odd one here on our 2014 C220D Wagon with the wonderful Airmatic system. Been playing up for a few days so put a code reader on it. came up with code C152664 rear left sensor has a malfunction. There is an implausable signal. Pretty straight forwards so far. Sensor needs to come off & put a new one on.
Now the fun starts.. As you know, there are 2 Torx screws holding the sensor on. No fun to get at & not keen on unscrewwing! No worrries, pop the bracket off & do it on the bench. Theres one obvious 10mm nut & thats it. Cant seem to find any other fixings on the bracket. Feels pretty loose when the 10mm nut is off as if its hooked on somewhere?
Any ideas how to get the bracket & sensor off in one, or is the only way to get the sensor off is by removing the 2 Torx screws?
Many thanks in advance one & all!

 

[Paxmanmerv]

Well, found that by taking the small 10mm nut off the bracket, it could then be manoeuvred upwards pivoting on a spike for want of a better term, then the end with the spike on can move towards the front of the vehicle releasing the bracket & sensor allowing work to be carried out on the bench. Seems that we have a sensor on each wheel rather than each front wheel & a single sensor on the rear ARB. Let’s see what Merc deliver to us in the morning..
Next fun part will be what happens once it’s fitted & the car is started for the first time. Will it level itself out on its own or will the suspension need calibrating? Our old Vario is so much easier to work on!

 

[DSM10000]

Well, found that by taking the small 10mm nut off the bracket, it could then be manoeuvred upwards pivoting on a spike for want of a better term, then the end with the spike on can move towards the front of the vehicle releasing the bracket & sensor allowing work to be carried out on the bench. Seems that we have a sensor on each wheel rather than each front wheel & a single sensor on the rear ARB. Let’s see what Merc deliver to us in the morning..
Next fun part will be what happens once it’s fitted & the car is started for the first time. Will it level itself out on its own or will the suspension need calibrating? Our old Vario is so much easier to work on!

Well done for persevering!

 

[MrGreedy]

I think it might need calibrating. But you might get lucky

I've got a 2011 and the single read sensor for mine only controls the xenon levelling. I've been able to undo the nut, but not remove the bracket yet. My next attempt will be taking the arm off so I can try and remove the bracket on the bench.

 

[Paxmanmerv]

The plot thickens!
So the only sensors on the suspension being the ones at the wheels & nothing on the rear anti roll bar. Ordered one from the main dealer who were very polite but did suggest i sit down before the gave me the price of it.. A bit over £200 but its gotta have one. Oh well, may aswell clean the bracket up & show it a bit of love with Jenolite & a lick of paint. All good to go & the van from Merc pulls up. Perfect timing! Open the box &...it's a complete unit, bracket, operating rod & clip on piece for the top suspension arm Lets get all excited & put it together! That done so lets start up. No movement.. thats a bit of a pest fer sure. Time to take Mr Greedy's advice & calibrate it... Once i find out how. Any suggestions?

 

[MrGreedy]

Using an offical version of STAR via an independent specialist or Merc dealer I believe (I'm afraid).

 

[Paxmanmerv]

Here we go! Got 3 diag kits here, one to old & only talks to Sentinel steam lorries.. Got into it with the Launch one, does most things & cleared the fault codes then hit Calibrate. Comperror started & nothing happened. Did this 3-4 times then swapped to our Foxwell one. Did calibrate 3-4 times & no movement. OK, the thing had no air in it atall so would expect it to atleast show a bit of interest & make an effort. For some reason i dont seem to have suspension air pressure on these diag kits so that makes things a bit tricky.
Is there a way to charge the system with an external compressor? Wondering if it needs to be off the bumpstops before it starts to work?
Any ideas? Suggestions? Oh yeah, Start the car & says vehicle rising then a couple of minutes later we get stop vehicle too low (or something like that) in some serious looking red writing on the instrument panel..

 

[Paxmanmerv]

Using an offical version of STAR via an independent specialist or Merc dealer I believe (I'm afraid).

DAMN!! thats a blow..