Der Über Swine.

[panchosouth]

Well this thing is driving me crazy.

This/these is/are the problem (s):

Susp. Inactive light: both air bags (rear) replaced RR sensor replaced.

Codes (not a BMW dealer, so not sure if codes are the same you would see at same):
5DD7: Ride Height Control, ride heights invalid; Activity plausibility right rear suspension

I will attach photos of the ride height last night when I got home. Shop replaced sensor, cleared codes, system operated as advertised on multiple test drives(more on that shortly)- While driving it home, at moderate speeds (city) the light came back on. Cleared code at shop again today, no lights, drove for half an hour, hit the gas at a light, code came on. This is always the case, as it seems to be related to any kind of sudden shift in body direction. I will say that it does not appear to impact drivability, although I do hear clunking in the front end over small bumps (replaced the front sway bar bushings yesterday too (thought this would address the 'light clunking'- Mechanic walked around underneath and checked suspension bits with me (more than one shop has done the same, and the last said the bushings…) Not sure if the clunking is there when the codes are cleared and system is 'nominal'. Suspect that it might not be….Can't say why, no evidence to support that ….Also, every time the SIL comes on, the TPS is also lit up! Like twins!

In addition to the TPS, as of late the park distance system seems to go on the blink for a couple of minutes, and the pass airbag light comes on (both in dash and by sunroof switch. (code: 113 occupancy detector (SRS). Both of these systems will return to nominal operation within a couple of minutes of coming on.

For some reason, sometimes one side is higher than the other (see pics as example of same) - again, when codes cleared…Back to normal ride height.

Engine misfires. Oh my great gobs of goose shit! What I have done:

New plugs and new coils on all 8 pots. Had the engine flushed, cleaning all the stuff that you might expect. New fuel filter on the way. (91 or 94 octane only)

The problem. Code 29CC Combustion misfire for several cylinders; 29D1 Combustion misfire cylinder 5

This is still running like shite. I have no clue what to do- Nearest BMW dealership is 2 hours away, and booked solid for next two weeks. I have three different shops working on fixing this issue. I know that may seem odd, but one of them will have to have an idea of what to do- My normal guy (one of the three shops) is on vacation. The owner of one shop drives a 4.8is (06) and the guy wrenching is BMW trained. Same with mechanic in last shop. Multiple test drives right after the flushing did not produce any codes, but engine was much smoother during the flushing than without. All of us think the engine is running too rich….(unburnt fuel deposits in exhaust pipe tips is why I believe this to be the case)…..

Driving: Doesn't like the cold, and bogs down until it gets warm, but still misfires like crazy- I'll pull over and cycle the ignition, an while it does improve it, it is no where like the 4.6is in get-up-and-GO! Sometimes the check engine light does come on, sometimes no. Since the system flush yesterday, it has not flashed the light, but I still use "S" to drive around in town with because "D" is like swimming in mud off the line. Burpy, underpowered and unhappy.

Ok guys, chime in!

[Ricky Bobby]

Your rear ride height looks fine, you sure your left front bag isn't leaking?

If it leaks down enough I could see it tripping an error. If you tell me that the error is cleared and the X goes back to normal heights, but after parking it for a while that corner comes down, the bag is leaking.

Have you done a ride height recalibration as well? Maybe that's all you need.

As for the engine, I don't know the N62 well at all, so I'm out of advice.

GL.

[panchosouth]

RB

No settlement when sitting or otherwise. Lights come on after reset due to somewhat aggressive driving or even a minor bump. If I nurse it down the highway, no light. One reset actually lasted four days.
The pictures are not exactly what I wanted to show, although you can tell from the nose-on shot that the X is tilted to drivers side. The back right rear is much higher than the LR, as you can clearly see the heat shield (when I took the pictures.). However, with the light on now, (after re-set) the ride height is even on all four corners).

How do you do the ride recalibration? Dealer?

Engine- I'm looking at ordering new O2's and I notice that ECS Tuning has VANOS solenoids….just don't know

[Ricky Bobby]

If you park the X on level ground, take a tape measure from the bottom of the rim in the center of the wheel and record your measurements to bottom of the fender on each corner and let me know what the corners read it would give us a good benchmark.

Recently my left rear was extremely low for no apparent reason, I thought it was leaking because it was 1.25 inches lower than the front right corner! I hooked up DIS and cleared the error (EHC 64 - Distortion, plausibility), and reset the corners to be evenly height and no issues since.


The system is very sensitive to having ride heights be within specified value of each other, I think the system tolerance is say 15-20 mm, if a corner reads a higher value difference, then it trips an error.

if you don't have someone local with DIS (I have it on my laptop with the Romanian software and OBD cable) you'll have to get a calibration done at the dealer.

The code you posted in post #1, sounds strangely familiar to my code, what software was used to read the errors? It says "ride heights invalid" so I'm guessing you need a recalibration of the suspension especially after replacing the rear bags and height sensor. Should be good to go after that as long as you don't have leaks in the front.