PLEASE!!! Help Suspension prob

2003MB600 · 09-27-2009, 07:08 PM

Ok guys, I have looked high and low and have found some great info on this site, so thank you all for this forum.

My problems began over 4 months ago and I have danced around fixing it for some time now. 2003 S600 and when the car stays parked for a few days my passenger side basically bottoms out (front and rear). I can adjust it once in the car and have had the dealer change fluid because they said it was dirty (bs).

What caues this (relay, compressor, or a leak?) I plan on fixing it myself but need guidance as to what direction to head.

Thank you so much!!

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Oliverk · 09-27-2009, 07:23 PM

you have ABC, which doesn't have a compressor.

You may have a hydraulic leak or some valve block issues.

2003MB600 · 09-27-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliverk

you have ABC, which doesn't have a compressor.

You may have a hydraulic leak or some valve block issues.

Thank you for the quick response. Any links that may help me diagnose the issue.

Soapy water and time I guess!

Is there a front and rear valve block or left and right side valve block?

Oliverk · 09-27-2009, 08:55 PM

I believe there is still some confusion. The soap and water test works for the airmatic struts, as leaking air would cause bubbling.

It will not work on your ABC suspension, which is hydraulic oil under extremely high pressure (200 bar or 3000psi).

I think your best bet is to send a private message to member "oxygen" as he seems to have the most experience with ABC.

As for the valve block, I'm not 100% sure, so I won't speculate.

2003MB600 · 09-28-2009, 09:31 PM

Does anyone have a break down of where the valve blocks and how the hydralic lines are run underneath the S600?

Thanks for your help!

Oliverk · 09-28-2009, 10:01 PM

yeah, I'll post up the screens from epc tomorrow.

2003MB600 · 09-28-2009, 10:43 PM

OliverK, thanks for the help!!!!

2003 S600 · 09-29-2009, 06:21 AM

both are on drivers side front and rear, right in front of both wheels, remove underside cover. they leak internally, also the large spheres attached to valve blocks leak internally and cause a bumpy ride and may slam the vehicle.
I would start by changing abc fluid filter and flushing fluid if dirty, may help.

S500 Man · 09-29-2009, 10:56 AM

i would find an good indy shop man thats serious bussiness

Revice · 10-19-2009, 11:43 PM

Please help me! Today, for the first time ever...I got a RED message on my dashboard that said "Airmatic, STOP, car too low! WTF What does this mean? Eventually, it went off...I'm sure it will come back. HELP? What does this mean?

Oliverk · 10-20-2009, 08:56 AM

Let me see.

IT MEANS YOUR CAR WAS TOO LOW.

You have a leak in your airmatic system.

find the leak

repair it

DRTYLNDY · 10-22-2009, 07:06 AM

Ok lets get this first part taken care of you do NOT have Airmatic you have ABC. My car did this but only the right rear dropped over time. It actually stopped doing it after 6 months or so. From what I have figured out you have a dirty valve block seat internally. Either you can deal with it or spend some serious cash to have it replaced. My car would say the same message but as soon as it started to move forward the car would raise it self. The dealer trying the fluid filtering sounds about right from what I have learned so far. I am also having a problem with my ABC right now. I am not sure if it is a pressure sensor/pulsation damper issue or if my ABC tandem pump just sucks. Hope this helps. If I think of anything else I will let you know.
Johan

2003MB600 · 10-22-2009, 07:42 PM

Thanks man! Still trying to narrow down what it may be. 1600.00 for two valve blocks plus labor and fluid is gonna be a chunk.

Had a dealer flush the system but the problem still remains. I also understand that the system is under high amounts of psi so that part scares me a bit. I would love to fix it myself but who knows what else I may come across or need a special tool.

DRTYLNDY · 10-23-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2003MB600

Thanks man! Still trying to narrow down what it may be. 1600.00 for two valve blocks plus labor and fluid is gonna be a chunk.

Had a dealer flush the system but the problem still remains. I also understand that the system is under high amounts of psi so that part scares me a bit. I would love to fix it myself but who knows what else I may come across or need a special tool.

You certainly do need a "special tool" to do work on your ABC suspension. You would need a computer with the Mercedes DAS software. Not so much to do the work but to flush/bleed the Pentocin fluid in the ABC.

09-27-2009, 07:23 PM	#2
Oliverk MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lyndhurst, NJ Posts: 2,183 Drives: 2005 S500 4matic sport designo	you have ABC, which doesn't have a compressor. You may have a hydraulic leak or some valve block issues. __________________ 2005 S500 4matic (sport/designo expresso) and 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo.

09-27-2009, 08:55 PM	#4
Oliverk MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lyndhurst, NJ Posts: 2,183 Drives: 2005 S500 4matic sport designo	I believe there is still some confusion. The soap and water test works for the airmatic struts, as leaking air would cause bubbling. It will not work on your ABC suspension, which is hydraulic oil under extremely high pressure (200 bar or 3000psi). I think your best bet is to send a private message to member "oxygen" as he seems to have the most experience with ABC. As for the valve block, I'm not 100% sure, so I won't speculate. __________________ 2005 S500 4matic (sport/designo expresso) and 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo.

09-28-2009, 10:01 PM	#6
Oliverk MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lyndhurst, NJ Posts: 2,183 Drives: 2005 S500 4matic sport designo	yeah, I'll post up the screens from epc tomorrow. __________________ 2005 S500 4matic (sport/designo expresso) and 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo.

09-29-2009, 10:56 AM	#9
S500 Man Super Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Springfield Mass. Posts: 840 Drives: Mercedes Benz S500	i would find an good indy shop man thats serious bussiness __________________ 4% Tint,03+ mirrors, tailights, bi-xenon (done 9/16/07) 20 Inch 06 AMG Replica Wheels(sold) 20 Inch Carlsson Style Wheels (done 9/16/07) Pioneer AVIC-Z3 HD Head Unit W/ Bluetooth,Ipod Kit,DVD, And 60GB Hard Drive. (Done 9/27/08)

10-19-2009, 11:43 PM	#10
Revice Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 36 Drives: 1992 190E; 2001 S500	AIRMATIC STOP CAR TOO LOW! HELP Please help me! Today, for the first time ever...I got a RED message on my dashboard that said "Airmatic, STOP, car too low! WTF What does this mean? Eventually, it went off...I'm sure it will come back. HELP? What does this mean?

09-28-2009, 09:31 PM	#5
2003MB600 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Drives: 2003 S600	Does anyone have a break down of where the valve blocks and how the hydralic lines are run underneath the S600? Thanks for your help!

09-28-2009, 10:43 PM	#7
2003MB600 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Drives: 2003 S600	OliverK, thanks for the help!!!!

09-29-2009, 06:21 AM	#8
2003 S600 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: ca Posts: 214 Drives: 2003 s600	both are on drivers side front and rear, right in front of both wheels, remove underside cover. they leak internally, also the large spheres attached to valve blocks leak internally and cause a bumpy ride and may slam the vehicle. I would start by changing abc fluid filter and flushing fluid if dirty, may help.

10-20-2009, 08:56 AM	#11
Oliverk MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lyndhurst, NJ Posts: 2,183 Drives: 2005 S500 4matic sport designo	Let me see. IT MEANS YOUR CAR WAS TOO LOW. You have a leak in your airmatic system. find the leak repair it __________________ 2005 S500 4matic (sport/designo expresso) and 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo.

10-22-2009, 07:06 AM	#12
DRTYLNDY Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 192	Ok lets get this first part taken care of you do NOT have Airmatic you have ABC. My car did this but only the right rear dropped over time. It actually stopped doing it after 6 months or so. From what I have figured out you have a dirty valve block seat internally. Either you can deal with it or spend some serious cash to have it replaced. My car would say the same message but as soon as it started to move forward the car would raise it self. The dealer trying the fluid filtering sounds about right from what I have learned so far. I am also having a problem with my ABC right now. I am not sure if it is a pressure sensor/pulsation damper issue or if my ABC tandem pump just sucks. Hope this helps. If I think of anything else I will let you know. Johan __________________ 2003 S55 AMG

10-22-2009, 07:42 PM	#13
2003MB600 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Drives: 2003 S600	Thanks man! Still trying to narrow down what it may be. 1600.00 for two valve blocks plus labor and fluid is gonna be a chunk. Had a dealer flush the system but the problem still remains. I also understand that the system is under high amounts of psi so that part scares me a bit. I would love to fix it myself but who knows what else I may come across or need a special tool.

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