FIX: 4.8is Self leveling suspension and actuator gear

[mofoaka]

This applies for those with X-drive and EHC2 (4 air bag suspension) vehicles.
DSC system and EHC system are linked. If there is a fault in the DSC, The EHC system will also go into fault mode.

1. make sure your battery and alternator are healthy.
2. make sure all fuses associated to SLS is not blown.
3. make sure all ride height sensors are in good order (arms not seized, wires not frayed) etc.

With the 4x4 light and/or brake,abs light present, you possibly have a bad actuator gear on transfer case. Bad actuator gear can also be heard when turning off your car. There will be a CLACK CLACK CLACK under the driver seat.

In my situation. I had the 4x4 light permanently on, the brake and abs light was intermittent. The CLACK CLACK CLACK disappeared. I knew that the gear was gone for sure though. I was driving in rwd mode the whole time and ABS was no longer operational.

With fault in SLS system, these were my symptoms/scenarios.

Situation 1: The SLS switch panel would allow me to lower the car when key was in position 2 (did not start the car). You cannot raise car until you actually turn on the engine. When I started the car it would automatically raise car up to normal height (middle LED). After it goes back up to normal height SLSI message appears.

Situation 2. When car is at normal height, I turn on car and immediately raise the car with SLS switch. Car will raise, but SLSI message will appear immediately and car will lower back to normal height.

In both scenarios, 4x4 lights is constant on.


When running diagnostics on DIS/gt1, faults thrown my DSC module will read as:

Code 5F3A transfer case(DIS/gt1 software)

Code "5F3A - clutch gear box-ECU : VG clutch dfekt - clutch is open - rear wheel drive!" ( INPA software)

When you read code for EHC2 module, it will present itself as

32 CANBUS - CAN bus message incorrect


IF these are your codes, and you've already checked that all other parts of the system is good, then the issue is your actuator gear.

This is a $20 gear!! please replace this prior to changing your module or anything else! Literally 1 hour job from start to finish.

Pat (4.8isX5) and I diagnosed this together on the phone for total 3 hours over the span of 3 days. Finally realizing it was because the DSC was throwing codes causing EHC to go into fault mode.


I'm new to the X5 world, but I'm hoping this will contribute to the forum.