air suspension S320 year 2000

[traffic0703]

I have ran into problems with the air suspension on my S320 year 2000.

The compressor began running on for an unusually long time as driving along and then ran for about 20 mins after the engine was shut off. There was also quite a lot of noise coming from the off side wheel arch area - alot of rattling and also several banging noises - the compressor eventually stopped of own accord as did the banging.

I took to MB dealer - they diagnosed a faulty compressor - they fitted a new compressor 2 days ago and also changed the hose/line (not sure but cost about £25) plus changed the fixings. They did not change anything else. At the time they seemed very confident they had sorted things. Total job price £402.00

Unfortunately I have just dropped the car back to them as I suffered exactly the same symptoms this after noon. The compressor just stuck on for about 20 mins after engine stopped - also I noticed a rubbery type of smell which came into the car and was present around the front offside wheel area. No warning lights or anything and suspension seemed to be behaving normally.

Any ideas what might be wrong??

many thanks

Rob

 

[star]

the hose is a modified part needed to fit the compressor, did they change the relay as this has a habbit of sticking and burning out the new compressor.

 

[traffic0703]

Hi,

No they did not replace the relay.

Is it possible there was nothing wrong with the old compressor?

I have not heard back from the MB dealer yet. Hopefully I have not damaged the new compressor and if I have do you think this will be covered by them?

thanks

rob

 

[Xtractorfan]

If they fitted a new compressor and it suffered the same fate as the old one then it is common sense to assume that the underlying problem is still there..ie the relay if that is the problem.. I would be asking serious questions about their ability to diagnose faults and refusing to pay any more money.. hold on to your paperwork and photocopy it..and it would do no harm to mention when questioned ....that u have suffered a lot of inconvenience due to their inept lack of knowledge

 

[star]

Hi,

No they did not replace the relay.

Is it possible there was nothing wrong with the old compressor?

I have not heard back from the MB dealer yet. Hopefully I have not damaged the new compressor and if I have do you think this will be covered by them?

thanks

rob

if the relay stuck on it would have damaged the original compressor, you could say that it wasn't damaged UNTIL the relay stuck. Unfortunately it might have damaged the new compressor or accelerated its wear so it might fail earlier than normal. Its ment to run for a max of i think 90 or 120 sec. Could be wrong but no more then a few mins.

 

[colechelle]

In WIS it states when changing the air compressor unit the relay MUST be changed at the same time!!

 

[traffic0703]

What is WIS?

thanks

 

[Chas]

I have ran into problems with the air suspension on my S320 year 2000.

The compressor began running on for an unusually long time as driving along and then ran for about 20 mins after the engine was shut off. There was also quite a lot of noise coming from the off side wheel arch area - alot of rattling and also several banging noises - the compressor eventually stopped of own accord as did the banging.

I took to MB dealer - they diagnosed a faulty compressor - they fitted a new compressor 2 days ago and also changed the hose/line (not sure but cost about £25) plus changed the fixings. They did not change anything else. At the time they seemed very confident they had sorted things. Total job price £402.00

Unfortunately I have just dropped the car back to them as I suffered exactly the same symptoms this after noon. The compressor just stuck on for about 20 mins after engine stopped - also I noticed a rubbery type of smell which came into the car and was present around the front offside wheel area. No warning lights or anything and suspension seemed to be behaving normally.

Any ideas what might be wrong??

many thanks

Rob

Its definitely the relay, it should have been obvious when it wouldn't shut down. Same thing exactly happened to mine 2 years ago.

 

[television]

What is WIS?

thanks

It is the service information and faults known on MB cars including upgrades

 

[tromppost]

I took to MB dealer - they diagnosed a faulty compressor - they fitted a new compressor 2 days ago and also changed the hose/line (not sure but cost about £25) plus changed the fixings. They did not change anything else. At the time they seemed very confident they had sorted things. Total job price £402.00


Thats a good price from a dealer, I paid £375 inc relay.

 

[traffic0703]

air compressor relay failure

Its definitely the relay, it should have been obvious when it wouldn't shut down. Same thing exactly happened to mine 2 years ago.

When your relay failed, did they also have to replace the compressor?

thanks

 

[Chas]

When your relay failed, did they also have to replace the compressor?

thanks

Yes the compressor was replaced also. The car was under warranty at the time. If I remember correctly the compressor was replaced first, and when the problem still existed the following day I took it back and the relay was replaced. This fixed the fault. Whether or not the compressor actually needed to be replaced I could not say.
Like I say it was under warranty so they were keen to try anything

 

[star]

The fact that the compressor ran for 20 mins would/will have done it no good. they either sieze or take too long to build up pressure. you might be lucky with your new one. hope so.

 

[hmang]

my mb dealer told me to replace the relay at the same time as the compressor

every thing fine after that.

good info from knowledgeble parts guys. jacksons poole.

 

[traffic0703]

pump replaced again! now vibrations!

thanks for all the help. An update - the MB dealer concerned confirmed the fault was indeed a sticking relay and replaced the relay and put another new pump on free of charge without me asking - I am very relieved at this!

However I now have fairly anoying vibrations through the car floor, pedals and a little through the steeriing wheel when the pump kicks in. I can tell when the pump is running even at speed as can feel it. The pump is also noiser than the other ones but perhaps this is because it is new.

What have they done wrong now as pretty sure it should not be vibrating like this.

When they first did me the job the dealer stated they had to order all the fixings for the new pump but when they fitted the 2nd pump they did not mention it - i am a bit concerned they have cut a corner 2nd time around.

Any suggestions before I go back to them again?

thanks

 

[hmang]

mine did that when i got clever and packed out some of the baggy play in the springy compressor mountings.

there should be a softish spring, a rubber and a washer and the whole assy is very bouncy

 

[traffic0703]

pump vibrations

The car is now running as it should - the vibrations were caused by the MB technician fitting the new pump badly - they had bent the bracket in some way causing the pump to be out of its correct position. They couldn't have even tested it as if they had of done they would have realised something was wrong.

Although all the errors have been corrected free of charge I find it amazing that the dealer concerned were so careless in the first place.

thanks for all the help

rob

 

[television]

Thank you for posting the result,, I wish that everyone did

 

[M6AJJ]

Glad all is now OK, as Malcolm, nice to hear the ending.

 

[Chas]

The car is now running as it should - the vibrations were caused by the MB technician fitting the new pump badly - they had bent the bracket in some way causing the pump to be out of its correct position. They couldn't have even tested it as if they had of done they would have realised something was wrong.

Although all the errors have been corrected free of charge I find it amazing that the dealer concerned were so careless in the first place.

thanks for all the help

rob

If these "technicians" worked in the aviation industry, aircraft would be falling out the sky, until such time as they were all done for corporate manslaughter. There is no excuse for shoddy workmanship, it's just plain idle incompetence :-(

I'm off to bed now after an error free night shift :mrgreen: