Rear Suspension 'riding high'

[mpweston]

Hi Folks can any one shed any light on the latest X5 Problem.. Inactive Suspension warning light came on a few months ago. Made no difference to the car, ride height normal, handling normal. Started it up yesterday and the rear suspension went to maximum height and it is like driving a bouncing castle.....and not safe. Can anyone help? Thanks Paul

[jst2878]

Check your height level sensors on the rear swing arm. Sensor rod could be broken

[tonycajjo]

if all mechanical linkages are ok, i know that you need to put some miles on the car for the before the bimmer figures out where it should be. you have enough juice? (alternator and battery in good working order) you can also try to reset the computer by disconnecting the battery.

[manny4.6]

it will be one of the self-leveling sensors , do yourself a favour and buy one, then figure out which one with trial and error. just fixed same prob

[fast4d]

check the 30amp fuse inside the fuse box right side of rear cargo area. mine was blown causing error message and STIFF rear air bags.

[mpweston]

Dear jst2878, tonycajjo, manny4.6 and fast4d..Thanks All!!
Problem solved, it was the rear right height level sensor:
Took off both rear wheels and inspected both Height Level Sensors, R/R had a crack in the housing.
Purchased sensor for £68.00 GBP from BMW Dealer
The car is still jacked up the rear wheels are off, I have disconnected the battery.

1. Removed sensor control rod linkage nut
2. Removed electrical plug
3. Removed 1 x mounting bracket nut
4. Removed both sensor and bracket
1-4 takes about 15 minutes with rear wheels removed (9 & 10mm ring spanners)

On the bench..remove the 2 'Allen key' bolts holding the bracket onto the sensor and replace sensor..

Re-did 4 - 1 above put the wheels on and off jacks before I reconnected the battery, when I reconnected the battery the car slowly levelled out. Beautiful..

Thanks All..
Best Regards Paul..

[tonycajjo]

good stuff, looks pretty sweet all jacked up though.

[brock]

I have the same problem on my 2000 BMW x5 4.4i.
I was driving it and then self-leveling message came on the dash.. day after day the rear suspension started to get higher. a couple of days ago, i sit in my car and felt that something was weird. I went to see the car from the back and it was sitting on the ground. Suspension dropped and it was one bouncy ride. Do you guys think its the same problem? If i get the sensor, will it fix my problem?

[TerminatorX5]

start with the fuses first - always start from simple and then move to more complex.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by brock

I have the same problem on my 2000 BMW x5 4.4i.
I was driving it and then self-leveling message came on the dash.. day after day the rear suspension started to get higher. a couple of days ago, i sit in my car and felt that something was weird. I went to see the car from the back and it was sitting on the ground. Suspension dropped and it was one bouncy ride. Do you guys think its the same problem? If i get the sensor, will it fix my problem?

Is there any dash light on? You may want to read the trouble code, it will tell you what is the problem.