Air Suspension Issues-Need Help

m5biemer · #1 02-02-2011, 11:06 AM

I'm experiencing some air suspension issues that started with the replacement of the battery a month ago. The front struts seem to lose all the air after the car is parked for a bit, but this doesn't happen every time. When you open the drivers door, the system seems to wake up and it pumps up the front struts, everything seems fine when driving after this. I've read other posts where folks say that the car doesn't drive well, wheel clunking, etc, but so far I've not had any of these issues.

I had a supposed thorough inspection of the system at the local BMW dealer, they came back and said the drivers side front air strut had a leak. I then took it to my independent shop and they cannot find any such leak. I had ordered 2 new replacements from Arnott, but they're still in the boxes. There's no diagnostic message coming up, either.

Also, the system does not want to go up or down when you press the toggle switch on the dash to adjust the ride height. The lights flash for a minute then stop.

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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joeboch348 · #2 02-02-2011, 03:04 PM

if it's draining down, id assume there is a leak.

AZX54.4 · #3 02-02-2011, 03:11 PM

I never had any error messages when my air struts failed. The system could be leaking further back in the trunk area closer to the compressor. Mine had a small leak back there. Install the new arnott air struts and have the shop do a smoke check to try and find any leaks.

joeboch348 · #4 02-02-2011, 03:27 PM

did the dealer tell you where the leak was?

m5biemer · #5 02-02-2011, 03:45 PM

Dealer said drivers side had leak, the independent shop could not find it, they kept it for a week and it was perfect. We got in back last Thursday and by Saturday am at home it was acting up again.

Dealer wanted $1600 to repair driver side air strut assembly, so I started searching and found Arnott Industries, ordered both left and right figuring I'd change both out. If it wasn't tax season, I'd just change 'em both out myself.

toohotdoc · #6 02-04-2011, 02:28 AM

Check the fuses.

mpweston · #7 02-07-2011, 08:05 AM

Hi There I think AZX54.4 could be onto something combine this with your battery change and both sides going down at once. I would not change the struts yet.. And check the pipe work near the battery, as you will know all this has to be removed in order to change the battery. The sensors are apparently above each strut, I am currently living with a error light but with no leak the only way the garage can tell which sensor it is is by removing each in turn... Not letting them near it.

jst2878 · #8 02-07-2011, 09:53 AM

if you replace the battery you have to move the compressor. when you move the compressor you risk moving around the blue and red air lines for the suspension. take soapy water and rub it on the hoses coming from the compressor. im sure you will find a leak as like I did and many others. try this first. depending on how many miles you have, the airstruts will eventually fail, especially if you are always changing the air ride height on the vehicle. good luck

m5biemer · #9 03-16-2011, 10:02 AM

Finally got smart and took it over to an indie BMW only shop here locally. They confirmed the BMW dealer's diagnosis that it was a leak in the driver's side front air shock. Had me fixed up in a couple of hours. Replaced both front shocks to hopefully eliminate another problem. Now decided to get rid of the vehicle, too many issues have arisen after only 44k miles. No more bimmers in this family for a long time. We've had 4 m3's, 1 m5, 2 535's and this x5, the latter being the most expensive and the one with the most problems. Thanks to all who offered assistance with my issue, take care, signing off the list permanently.

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