New X5 owner with a few quesitons

[cdnalpina]

Hi Everyone,

I just recently purchased a 2001 X5 4.4 with the sport package, black on black. It was bought primarily for my wife as a safe (and fun) kids hauler. I am no stranger to BMWs but I am a stranger to the X5 and I have to say this is a fantastic ride.

There are a few gremlins I am working through, some of which I have found some answers to and some I have not. So if I can impose upon the gurus of this forum to help me I would greatly appreciate it.

Trunklid open message

The lower gate is quite hard to close so that it stays latched. You really have to give it a hard close to make it latch. The same goes for the upper gate. Confirming that they are latched properly, when I go to drive the X, it gives a 'trunklid open' message on the cluster and the rear light in the gate is on. I have since removed the light (as driving at night it is very annoying). What would be the possible cause(s) of this? I had a similar issue with our E39 540i touring and it ended up being the microswitch. Could that be what I am looking at here?

Fog Lights

One of the fog lights was burnt out due to moisture getting into the housing. I 'rebuilt' the fog light and put new bulbs in both and they don't turn on at all now. I am suspecting a fuse but when I looked at the fuse diagram with the X, there was no specific listing on the card for the fog lights. Would anyone happen to know the fuse location for the fog lights? I know I can test each and every fuse (and likely should anyway) but the passenger seat/foot well is not exactly the most convenient place to settle in for a fuse testing session.

Self levelling suspension inactive

I have read up on too many of these posts now, common headache it seems. In the case of mine, the previous owner told me that his mechanic (reputable) diagnosed it as a sensor being the problem. If that is the case, would I be looking at #18 and #19 in the RealOEM link below?

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.4i LEVELL.DEVICE, AIR SPRING AND CTRL UNIT

Other than getting it scanned, is there any way to prove out the sensors? Are these a common source of problems for the rear suspension going inactive? I have not found a lot of posts on the sensors themselves, so that is why I ask. In the case of my x, the ride height is normal and I have heard the compressor run when starting the X, after having added or taken out a load.



I appreciate your help and guidance in advance.

Cheers,

Rob