Common Mercedes Issues (and what to do)

AIRMATIC (Air Shocks) Suspension Failures
Symptoms: sagging, uneven height, compressor noise.
Caused by: air strut leaks, valve block failure, compressor wear.

Electrical Module Issues
Mercedes’ complex CAN systems mean a failing module can trigger multiple warning lights.
This can be caused by water intrusion, low batteries, or a number of other reasons, making correct diagnosis critical on a Mercedes.

Crank Case Vent Valve (PCV) Code
The crankcase vent valve code (PCV) is one of the most troublesome codes on a Mercedes due to the number of causes and location of valves. Some valves are located in the rear of the engine and require significant parts replacement, while some are simply an air leak at the top of the engine. It's important to diagnose a PCV code correctly the first time to ensure an accurate parts replacement.

Auxiliary Battery Failure
Many Mercedes models use a secondary battery for electronics — when it fails, warning lights appear even if the main battery is fine.
Triggers multiple warning lights and often requires battery replacement and vehicle re-coding.

Balance Shaft & Timing Chain Wear
Early warnings include rattling, rough idle, and timing correlation fault codes.

BlueTEC Diesel System Faults
NOx sensors, DEF heaters, and DPF filters often require attention.
If your Mercedes shows warning lights or unusual behavior, our Tualatin team can diagnose the issue accurately and restore your vehicle’s performance.