Airmatic visit workshop message turned on

Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320
  • 3.2L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 131,000 MILES
Hello, I don't have a scanner that can read the codes. There are no air leaks. I measured the height on all 4-wheel waited sixteen plus hours and all measurements were the same. The rear sits a little lower than the front. When raising the car, it doesn't lift fully, especially the rear. I'm leaning towards a weak compressor or faulty valve block. But I'm not sure, I know very little about Airmatic system. What do you guys think it can be? Rear lower than front, takes time to raise car and rear doesn't go up as much as front. Also, the compressor does sound a little weird and is noisier than before.
Wednesday, June 8th, 2022 AT 7:05 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
I got a scanner that can read everything with the car. It pulled 5503 and 5508. Leak detected and reservoir taking too long to fill. Thought I would add this.
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Thursday, June 9th, 2022 AT 8:06 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
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Thanks for this info.

There are a couple of possible issues. One you have a valve block that distributes the air to the corners that are needed so if the vehicle is not reaching the proper ride height, then that is one of two main reasons. First it is either a mechanical problem that it cannot reach the height.

This would be a pump not being able to supply the pressure or a leak that is preventing the height from being reached.

Otherwise, we have an electrical issue that is making the module think it is not getting to the proper height.

So, it sounds like you have an actual issue getting to the proper ride height and with the codes that you have, the leak is in the pump and reservoir side of the system.

Once the system is filled the lines are sealed off and if they are holding their height then you have no leak in that side.

Basically, it looks like the pump is not able to fill the system to the needed amount or there is a leak between the pump and reservoir that is causing the pump to not fill the system properly.

This would explain the different noise the pump is making. What I would do is replace the pump and valve block and retest this.

It appears you can get a pump assembly and valve block for a reasonable price.
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Thursday, June 9th, 2022 AT 11:00 AM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
Now the car is sitting almost even. Even though I'm parked on a slant. The right front is only slightly higher. I had a cracked intake hose I replaced with filter. Maybe that caused the leak code. Either way I was thinking of replacing the valve and compressor soon. I thought compressor since November last year the Airmatic workshop soon message came on. It came back on a month later. Then I would only come on if the temperature was below 25 degrees. Then it started coming on once a week, then twice. Starting February compressor was little louder but no change. Starting at the end of March it came on every day. The way everything got worse over time and temperature affected it. I'm this weak compressor or failing/ clogged valve body. I reset the codes and drove around, and the 5503 delay/ time out code came back but no 5508 leak code. One more thing, if I start car and let it sit the message won't appear. I have to be driving for it to happen.
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Thursday, June 9th, 2022 AT 12:06 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. The more I hear, I think this is a compressor as well.

However, just to be sure we aren't missing something, we need to find a flat spot and park the vehicle and measure the ride heights. Then check it the next morning. This will confirm it is not dropping and there are no leaks in the bags.

However, I think you are thinking this is a compressor issue and I am not hearing anything that would make me think you should not trust your instincts.

You are with the vehicle and seem to have a good understanding of how it works so I would trust that.
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Thursday, June 9th, 2022 AT 1:46 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
I just took rough measurements. Front left 14.65 left rear 14.65 inches right front 14.65 and back rear 14.3-ish I'm parked at a very slight slant you can visit see the right rear is ever so slightly sitting lower than rest of car. The ride height by eye looks way off buts it's not. I think everything is within spec from mb. I don't have all the data anymore so I cannot pull that data. Usually, it sits.5 to.65 both sides rear. It seems like normal driving is fine but when trying to raise car or it makes adjustments on fly it doesn't have the air. Oh, I noticed something when I was pulling up all modules. The air compressor won't kick on at times. You have to shut the car off or wait 20 minutes. I'm not going to drive car, and I'll check it tomorrow morning around 10 or 11 and see if it drops more than 2/10. I'm really debating if I should just buy the compressor for now and see what happens then valve body. Or spend $1,400.00 and convert to springs. I can do everything myself no matter what is. I can avoid Labor good thing.
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Thursday, June 9th, 2022 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
37.1cm front left rear left 36.8 cm right rear 36 cm right front 37.2cm. These are the more accurate measurements using a better tape measure. Those other numbers from the post aren't accurate at all. I didn't center perfectly at center cap.
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Thursday, June 9th, 2022 AT 4:28 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
I think it's safe to say the compressor is bad. I started car it ran then shut off. The message came on to visit workshop. I pressed the button to raise the car and it would kick on. I had to shut off the car and turn it back on to make it work.
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Friday, June 10th, 2022 AT 4:57 AM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
Sorry to post so much. But now the 5503 code is gone and now the 5508 leak code is the only one. I did notice when the compressor kicked off it made a pretty loud hiss noise. It was only for a split second, but it was clearly audible.
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Friday, June 10th, 2022 AT 5:07 AM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
I replaced the compressor. I raised the car manually a couple times and it worked just like it should have no issues. I took the car for a very short trip then I went for a longer one. I went on the highway under heavy acceleration and drove at 45 to 65 MPH. So, the car can adjust in the fly. There are no codes pending or current. After looking at the old compressor it appears it is starting to fail and there is a small leak in the relief valve, air hose that goes into the compressor. It appears to be fixedish. I snapped two out of three bracket bolts. Have to buy a new mounting kit. Thank God for extra strong industrial zip ties.
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Friday, June 10th, 2022 AT 10:08 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
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Haha. Yes. Thank God for zip ties.

Sorry for the delay. Clearly you did not need me as your thought pattern was exactly correct.

Here is what I suspect happened. If you have a small leak, that causes these pumps to run more than needed and it actually burns them up.

So, it is critical to fix any leaks, or the new pump will eventually fail as well.

However, if you found a small leak and fixed it, replaced the pump and now the system is operating and there are no leaks then I suspect you are just fine.

Thanks so much for all the updates. This info will surely help others in the future.
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Friday, June 10th, 2022 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
I've always figured things out when I talk it out or bounce it off someone. I'm going to take apart the old compressor. I just remembered I drove for 3 months in winter with a broken intake hose after filter. I have a feeling dirt got sucked up and wore down internals causing it to leak and not produce enough bars. I live in NJ, there is always a ton of salt on the roads.
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Friday, June 10th, 2022 AT 11:30 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Well, I am glad you are coming to us to bounce things off.

That makes perfect sense. Let us know what you find and post pictures if you find something interesting.

Good work.
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Friday, June 10th, 2022 AT 11:57 AM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
Definitely sucked up water and debris. The piston and seals are probably torn and pitted.
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Friday, June 10th, 2022 AT 2:04 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
There is something else you can help me out with. When I drive there is rumble, skipping, grinding feeling you can feel in feet. You can also slightly feel the car drag and the other issues when letting off gas. I almost got into a car accident, and I had jam breaks and came to a complete stop. After that it stopped. I know it's possible it can be a bad caliber, wheel bearing, u joint, drive shaft flex, plate ECT. But I feel it's unlikely to be anything to do with drive shaft joints, differential or transmission. When it happened, I popped in neutral, and it still happened. So that almost rules that stuff out. When car is jacked up there is a small amount of play. When you spin tire, it is little rough and does make a small grind noise. That can mean something to do with brakes or wheel bearing. I have no clue what to do first as I don't want to drop money on random parts. What do you think I should check and do first?
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Friday, June 10th, 2022 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
I jacked the driver side up and really gave it a shake and spun the wheel. I think it's a wheel bearing, can you confirm?
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Saturday, June 11th, 2022 AT 6:23 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
We should get a new post started for this issue because it is not exactly related to this and that is good info with that video. However, yes, if you are able to wiggle it in different directions and it moves but the ball joint and tie rod appear tight then that is a bearing.

If we can get a new one started with that video, we can send you the instructions for a wheel bearing.

Great job with that video!
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Saturday, June 11th, 2022 AT 10:19 AM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
I already did the wheel bearing. I forgot how messy packing bearings by hand is. It's a warped rotor. When you spin by hand it spins free then all of a sudden it stops and is rough to turn for a 1/4 turn. You can hear the pads and rotors dragging then it stops. I will start a new three under wheel bearing or wrapped rotor tonight.
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Saturday, June 11th, 2022 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
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Okay. Sounds great. Thanks for that detail and for getting a new one started.

That will make for a great post, and I am sure that it will help others just like this one has.
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Saturday, June 11th, 2022 AT 7:41 PM
Tiny
GENESIS88
  • MEMBER
  • 140 POSTS
I posted the new thread under warped rotor, wheel bearing or Caliber. Usually, I can figure things out or know what's wrong immediately. I'm just lost. It doesn't help that my right tie and both ball joints are showing their age. It's so hard to pinpoint noises when you have other noised.
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Sunday, June 12th, 2022 AT 11:27 AM

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