Air Matic not working properly

HEREWEGOAGAIN

MEMBER
2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320
3.2L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
131,000 MILES

Hello, 6 months again I started to get a suspension error message. I would only come once or twice a month. Past month it comes on every time I drive. The red warning service light hasn't come on. My rear driver side doesn't fully inflate. When I raise the ride height everything works like it should expect driver rear. It raises only a small amount. The issue is it doesn't fully inflate. From what I can tell it's not losing air and if it is the leak is minor. Another thing I noticed it sounded turbo-ed. When the system purges it sounds like a blow of valve. I hope someone can help me out. Thank you.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Hi,

This could be a few things, but it sounds like it is related to the Air Matic drain valve may be causing the issue. Because it can be multiple issues, what we need to do is have the can-bus scanned. CAN stands for controller area network.

Basically, all computers and modules are tied together via a few wires. This type of scan will retrieve codes regardless of the module storing them.

Here is a link that explains how to scan the can-bus:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Let me know if that is something you can do or have done.

I will watch for your reply.

Take care,

Joe

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Friday, April 29th, 2022 AT 9:02 PM

HEREWEGOAGAIN

MEMBER
6 POSTS

I was thinking it's the level sensor or the air suspension valve solenoid. I never worked on AirMate so I'm lost that why I had to reach out. The car has been sitting and hadn't been started or turned on since 3:00pm yesterday. It's 6:30am in morning and the temperature dropped to low forties and the driver rear only drop 1 to 2mm. The rest of the car just settled and leveled it's self out. So, from what I can tell the bags and struts are still good. It seems like the compressor is still good as well. Do you agree with that? There are 2 German specialty shops with star. I might bring it to them or just replace the valve and see what happens.

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Saturday, April 30th, 2022 AT 3:27 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Hi,

What you said makes sense. The level sensor is really not that hard to replace, but it's up to you. I attached a pic below showing the location and what to look for.

If possible, let me know what you find as the cause. I'm interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.

Image (Click to make bigger)

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Saturday, April 30th, 2022 AT 7:22 PM

HEREWEGOAGAIN

MEMBER
6 POSTS

It's an easy job. Definitely once I replace it, I'll let you know the outcome. I probably won't get around to changing it for a few weeks or more though.

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Sunday, May 1st, 2022 AT 4:59 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS