STOP car is too low - 2003 E500
 

Good afternoon,

This is my 1st post and I am looking for a bit of advice.

I know this is quite common but I have looked for a description that matches mine and I have not found it.

My issue is that ONLY the left (Drivers side) of my suspension is lowered and sagging. The ride height button does nothing. I always ride with the cars suspension on tight. No apparent leaks and the same issue happened at 63K miles and it was repaired by the dealer under warranty (Pump)...I took it back there today and they said it was not covered...I am at 103K miles now with no warranty. Do you think it is the pump or something else? Again ONLY the left side of the car is lowered. Another thing...the light is not always on - intermitant.

FYI - I just got my front brakes done outside of the dealer and the initial ride height warning was displayed shortly after...Yesterday I put my 19" back on the car and the RED "Stop car is too low" light came on right after...

Let me know what you think and I really appreciate any feedback I can get.

first guess would be a bad strut.

Thanks...I sure hope not. I was hoping it was one of the following.

1. Relay - not likely thought since it's only the left side
2. Leak of some sort
3. Loose wire due to the brake job or tire mounting.
4. Sensor
5. Auxilliary battery - That service light is on and has been for several months.
6. Pump - I think not likely since it's only the left side.

I am hoping for a cheap fix...

Thanks again.

I don;t know anything about your system, but if the brake job was done just before this happened, I'd be jacking up the car, pulling that tire off, and looking for something the brake job person screwed up.

Okay...I just took off the left front and everything looked good to my un-trained eye. No loose connections, fluid or anything out of place. When I lowered the car from the jack the tire is now at the right height. I pushed the suspension button and the shock dampner button and nothing changed. I also pumped the brakes a few times and heard the compressor come on for about 5 seconds then cut off...No movement in the ride height. The left rear seems a tad lower than the right rear still...Any more thoughts? Don't want to get taken at the dealer.:D

I wish I could help you. There must be some sort of linkage that goes to a ride height adjusting valve, like on the old SLS system. Connected to the lower control arm and tthe frame maybe. Maybe one of the linkages popped off?

Sorry.

Took my car to the Dealer today and this is what they said...I think I am being taken for a ride. And advice would be appreciated.

Hi John,

The car needs a pump and relay to start with . cost is around $ 810.00 plus tax and I could lower it to 710.00 plus tax , but there is a leak in the system that we can not diagnose until the pump is operational .
It may need a strut or ?? , until we replace the pump we can not go further with it ? please advise ASAP
Thanks

Okay...I picked up an auxilliary battery for $69.00 and changed it out last night...took about 15 minutes. The dealer wanted $370 for the service and Battery. When I 1st started the car the dash said there were no malfunctions then about 10 seconds later the Up Arrow with the picture of a car popped up...then shortly after the "Stop car is too low " popped up...Mind you when I take longer drives the message dissapears alltogether and I seem to have no ride issues and the car seems level. What do you think? Sensor, Pump and relay or strut?

Usually only the left side of the car is low...and I can hear the compressor for a few soconds then it shuts off...When I press the ride control and shock dampner the car does not move (While parked) the shock dampner works when the car is moving and changes the ride. Also, sometimes the left side is up and normal...

My assumption is that the sensor is faulty...if the pump was not working or the relay was bad it would not be working sometimes...

Also...this all started when I took my car in for front brakes...then I took it in a few days later to get my 19" re-mounted and as soon as I saw the car down off the jack I knew it was lower than it should be and when I drove out of the parking lot the "Stop car is too low" warning came on...

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

same problem
 

i am having the same exact problem. can you provive a cell number for me to call you. i need to know what you did to fix the problem

I have not fixed the problem yet...but when I do I will advise on what was needed. You will find that there can be several different issues with this system...Could be a number of things from a simple disconnected wire, relay, pump, sensor, struts and so on. :confused:

Hey where is the pump located, i am going to start there first, and what is the relay, a swith or what

Alright...finally got to the bottom of the issue...Took the car to a great local Mercedes Tech and was able to get the car fixed. The issue was the Pump and Relay and the car is back to normal now...Cost was $560.00.

DocBenz - The pump is located in the front drivers side bumper, not sure about the Relay but the tech took it out pretty quickly and did not seem to remove anything major to get to it. Good luck to you.

merc 2003 e500
 

So wait, i have the same issue....interestingly if the car is parked facing downhill it doesn't sink, nor does it on an absolutely flat road...however if the car is parked facing uphill....even ever so slightly, it starts to sink on passenger side.

Had both airmatics changed. I'm gonna take it into mercedes...but it's not the compressor, nor a leak. it's either the sensor...or what your fix was....the pump/relay behind the front bumper...does it also control the rear shocks?

Hi, Battery you change for $69.00 is that an axilliary battery? any info is appreciated. -its location and function of that battery... I am now working on my girl friend E500 suspension problem that came up after the dealer fix the SBC for $1275.00 and they only change the SBC accumulator; and the suspension problem started after we got the car back the same day....dealer say the relay and pump is shorter. I just check the relay and its totally functional. I am waiting for the CD repair manual I bought at Ebay for $10.01 before I continue. Note: if the CD repair manual is the same as the one I bought for my BMW Z4 it prettty good (covers everything) for under $15.00.

The suspension pump relay is just outside of the fuse box. If you looking at the fuse box with cover removed, and you are standing at the driver side front tire area, its on the lower right side corner (black relay) just outside the fuse box. I found this thanks to the forum information.

hi all
I know this is quiet late to ask about! but i just have read your comments about the problems in your car and I'm having the same problem since 3 weeks, pump, level sensor changed, checked the air leak in my Mercedes E500 2003 and the car is still very low from the back but wheels are not touching the frame, dash showing me "car too low stop the car" and "visit the workshop" can anyone according to you experience give some help please.

I am having a similar problem but mine is the passenger side. It gradually drops after sitting in the garage overnight.
Any thoughts?

Can someone help find a part number for the suspension air pump for a 2003 e500, W211? Thank you.