Electrical help?

[roryhinds]

Hi there

I'm hoping someone can help me.
I have a X5 2002 4.4i E53 and have a Open Circuit sporadic error.

I can't seem to find how to fix this and think its related to why my left front level sensor keeps coming up with a hardware error even though I have replaced the sensor with a new unit.

My trunk opens by itself randomly and I keep getting "Check brake lights" and "Check rear lights" on the instrument cluster.

That and the painful "Self Level Susp Inactive"

I'm broke at the moment so trying to avoid taking it to the dealer and would really like to solve this myself.

A backstory to this is that my Alternator broke and needed replacing and my battery drained down in the process. I replaced the Alternator and purchased a brand new battery and that is when I had the "Self Level Susp Inactive" message come up.

I have INPA and am trying to diagnose the problem and find a solution but am hitting my head against a brick wall at the moment as its beyond me.

Please someone help, or just shoot me :-)

[TerminatorX5]

is the new alternator working properly? can you read the output voltage it is putting out? can you check your new battery for defective cells?

what you are describing, is consistent with fluctuating/unstable voltage in the system, which in turn generates multitude of fantom "errors"

[Big "J"]

What is INPA telling you when you check for errors?

If you replaced a height sensor, I think you'll need to recalibrate the EHC module to recognize the new sensor....hoping others will chime in?

[roryhinds]

Thanks for the help, I can't tell enough how much I appreciate it.

How would I check the output from the new alternator?

How do I recalibrate the EHC module to recognise the new sensor?

In INPA I go into the 2 axel suspension and check the errors there and it says... left front level sensor gives a hardware error.

And in the Central Body Electronics I'm seeing the
144 Clamp 15
Error frequency : 33

Open circuit
Sporadic error

[TerminatorX5]

the level sensor - if you have replaced that sensor, check to see if the orientation of the sensor is correct.. it has been reported many times that the sensor was "inverted" - it looks like a human elbow, and accordingly bends in one direction... during installation (and some repairs requiring lifting the car), the elbow inverts and bends in the "un-natural" way... in this case, you will have no reading from the sensor...


do a search here for the OBC unlock - i have posted something within last couple of days in that reference, some fellow had issues with his gong not working, and i suggested that he unlocks the OBC to check the GONG... when you unlock the OBC, you should be able to go into the battery voltage test and read out the alternator output during normal driving, right in your speedometer cluster...

[vandenham]

I am a newbie to the X5 world having only owned by truck for one month. During the first month of ownership, I had to address many of the same issues you mentioned.

I had the "Self Level Susp Inactive" and found there was some corrosion in the plug for the self leveling control unit. The control unit is located beside the battery (passenger side) and you have to remove the plastic cover beside the battery to find it. The control unit has the connector on top so is susceptible to corrosion if any moisture drips down from above.

I was trying to identify other electrical problems and pulled the suspension control unit plug off only discover corrosion on a few of the pins in the connector. Pin 15 was not making a good connection and it is used to send control information. When I fixed up this connector, the message went away.

This might not be your problem, but in my case it was the fix. With the "Check Brake Lights" and "Check Rear Lights" messages, the twist connectors on the bulbs for the tail/brake lights were slightly corroded and were fixed with a piece of emery paper to clean the contacts.

[Big "J"]

Originally Posted by roryhinds

Thanks for the help, I can't tell enough how much I appreciate it.

How would I check the output from the new alternator?

How do I recalibrate the EHC module to recognise the new sensor?

In INPA I go into the 2 axel suspension and check the errors there and it says... left front level sensor gives a hardware error.

And in the Central Body Electronics I'm seeing the
144 Clamp 15
Error frequency : 33

Open circuit
Sporadic error

+1 on checking the height sensor elbow orientation as Terminator points out..... I had the same issue, had the elbow pointing inward towards the engine after changing the wishbone. Changed it to point out towards the wheel and all is good! Check the wires going up and out of the sensor for insulation wear exposing wires and a possible short?

Relcalibrating/ resetting the EHC module is a last resort and you will probably need a GT1 or SSS/ progman interface software package to perform calibrations and adjustments if needed.

[TerminatorX5]

here, you will need these numbers to calibrate it to the factory specs...

the mesuarement is from the bottom lip of the rim to the bottom of the fender...
_______________ 17"____18"____19"____20"___these are wheel sizes
front axle_______685____697____710____722
rear axle________687____699____712____724
sport fr_________670____682____695____707
sport rr_________672____684____697____709

[Zulu95]

Check/replace the micro-switch in the liftgate. Should be a DIY under the "Articles" section.
The light problems are usually caused be faulty bulb housings. Try a "Search" as there are plenty of fixes.
GL.