Is my air suspension screwed?

Dubai_Andy · #1 09-09-2011, 07:45 AM

Hello all, i NEED help!

Yesterday, I got the dreaded 'SELFLEVEL SUSP INACT' message. I've done lots of searching on here and I've checked all the fuses (all fine) and I also tried disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes but the message won't go away.

The suspension level is also all over the place. The rear is riding super high (equal both sides) and the front is slammed to the floor, the right hand corner being about an inch lower than the left.

The car is under warrranty, but I don't think it covers air suspension - only conventional type.

It's a 4.8is with just over 50K.

What should I do? What's the most likely issue?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. In the three months I've owned the car it's been in the garage four times! It's had all new bushes at the front, including ball joints, a new battery, gearbox re-programmed because it's jerky as hell sometimes... new brake servo (nearly ran someone over at a zebra crossing when it failed) and a couple of other bits too. It's the most unreliable car I've ever owned!

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igosal · #2 09-09-2011, 08:22 AM

Does your front comes back up when you start your car? Air suspension could be very tricky. It could be a simple leak in the front air strut bags or could be faulty sensors or the main unit. You need a good mechanic who can diagnose it for you or else you'll end up spending a whole lot in checking out everything..... Good luck !!

jst2878 · #3 09-09-2011, 08:32 AM

check your height level sensors in the rear on each lower swing arm. one could be broken. check the fronts too. sorry to hear about this nonsense. bmw dropped the ball on this stuff

Dubai_Andy · #4 09-09-2011, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igosal

Does your front comes back up when you start your car? Air suspension could be very tricky. It could be a simple leak in the front air strut bags or could be faulty sensors or the main unit. You need a good mechanic who can diagnose it for you or else you'll end up spending a whole lot in checking out everything..... Good luck !!

Yeah, well... it's under warranty (I hope!). I can't do any of the work myself... the number one reason being that it's over 40C outside most days and I'm not getting my hands dirty in that heat!

The car ride height doesn't move at all... not with the engine shut off, on start up, while driving or even overnight - it's completely static. I can't hear the pumps at all, not even when I had the rear wheel out to disconnect the battery.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jst2878

check your height level sensors in the rear on each lower swing arm. one could be broken. check the fronts too. sorry to hear about this nonsense. bmw dropped the ball on this stuff

I'll get the mechanic on the case... this should at least be his starting point.

Some guy PM'd me and mentioned the control unit module may be at fault...?

This is going to be a long pain in the arse, especially as they'll probably have to order in any parts from the Germany or something.

Big fecking headache

igosal · #5 09-09-2011, 03:11 PM

The only thing you can try is resetting the Control Unit using any of the programming software. I have PA soft 1.4 and I can reset the unit and it does work sometimes. If even resetting the unit doesn't bring your pumps back, then you some other problem. Check the connections to pump and all. Reset the cables going into them..... Sometimes the connections are loose or rusty...

joeboch348 · #6 09-09-2011, 04:30 PM

What happens if you disconnect the control unit in the cargo area next to the radio module? when mine got wet, it pumped the back up so high it made the front look like it was down low. i had water leaking into the cargo shorting it out. just had to dry it with a hair dryer and plug it back in. very easy check, maybe 20-25 mins total

Dubai_Andy · #7 09-10-2011, 05:02 AM

UPDATE: It's fixed!

I've just been the garage and they plugged it in their machine and checked it out. The hardware side of things is all good... air bags etc. but the control unit and/or sensors is what threw the fault up.

He cleared the faults, re-programmed it to reset the ride height and it's back to normal. I've been over a load of bumps since, hard cornering etc and everything is normal.

From what the mechanic said, chances are it's the main control module.

Once again, I'm so glad I have my warranty!

Thanks everyone for your help.

1stx548is · #8 09-12-2011, 05:38 PM

I had to have the control module replaced on mine at 50k and also a right front air strut. The control module cost me $1200 and the after market air strut from Arrnott Industries cost $350. My 06 4.8is now is not running and don't know whats wrong with it. I wish that I never bought an X5 and will trade it as soon as I get it fixed. It is the worst vehicle I've ever owed.

romeokc10 · #9 09-13-2011, 12:15 PM

Damn! That sucks Andy, you just bought this thing in June, I hope I didn't jinx you in your original first post here on the forum. As a matter of fact you said in your original hello post that the X was a female one owner. Now you have a pretty good idea of why she traded it in.

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