Help from the gear heads urgently needed?

[X5Ghost]

2004 4.8is, LR strut bag wasn't holding pressure, "self level inactive" error kicked in.
2 new rear airbag struts installed per instructions, pretty simple. Based on some info on the board, if the viehchle is lowered so the wheels are touching but not bearing load (load on the jack), the compressor should kick in and inflate the bags. That didn't happen. I think I need to clear the self level inactive error before the whole system can reactivate and work properly and therefore, need a GT1 which I don't have.

I can take it to the dealer but I'm thinking I shouldn't drive it there on a newly installed unpressurized bags! Or can I?

Any thoughts or suggestions to help?

[X5SND]

I'm not familiar with what's needed to re initialize the system...but if you HAVE to take it to the dealer, I'd reccomend decking it....unless you want to drive it all the way there at walking speed seeing as you'd be riding on the bump stops!

[Gregory891]

Replaced my rear air springs last week, my car's compressor started up to inflate the system. Did you remove the fuse when you changed the air springs and perhaps forget to re-install them? You should NOT drive the car without re-inflating the system - your rear suspension is now entirely bottomed out, i.e. you have no springs.

[X5Ghost]

Originally Posted by Gregory891

Replaced my rear air springs last week, my car's compressor started up to inflate the system. Did you remove the fuse when you changed the air springs and perhaps forget to re-install them? You should NOT drive the car without re-inflating the system - your rear suspension is now entirely bottomed out, i.e. you have no springs.

Didn't remove the fuse because as I unplugged the batt in the trunk. The "self level inactive" message is still showing and advising 35mph max speed. This was originally displayed to protect the system and provide the ability to limp to the repair shop.

I just lowered the car further with more weight on the wheels to hopefully trick the system for a height position that would be close to the previous home position for ride height but that didn't do the trick!


Wow, I'm thinking the info on the board should contain a warning to those without GT1 as they would need it to reinitiate the system once bags are installed. Hope this helps someone else.

Now flatbed truck and 1-2 hours at the dealer for labor to reset and inflate bags according to them . Probably would have been cheaper taking it somewhere and without this hassle?

Anyone else with tricks up their sleeve to try to get the system to restart?

[TwinTurboGTR]

Its a 50/50 shot but people with the message already displayed cannot get their system to come back up because the failsafe kicked in. Some people have "Tricked" the system... but there is no rhyme or reason. The 4.4 had the message kick on... I lowered the X all the way and started to drive the vehicle very slowly and the bags inflated themselves. The last time I did it on the 4.4, I locked then unlocked the vehicle and the bags started to inflate...
So try these:

X all the way down... Lock, unlock, open door, lock, unlock again.

Put the X slammed on the ground and drive in reverse and forward for a little bit.

Jack the X up again and start it up.

Those are what have worked for me with and without the light on.

[jgold47]

Locking it and walking away causes the kbus to reset. If sls is part of that system, that may be the cause. I don't know much about sls but could you jump the compressor to at least refill so you can drive it?

[swissfrank]

i saw someone here jumped the pump relay to bring the pump on... I will look a little to find the link.

However, anyone that does DIY on their BMW in my opinion must at least have a DCAN with EDIABAS INPA or friend that has it at minimum. The plus is it is roughly only ~$20 or a couple dollar VAGCOM cable and software from the internet...

[swissfrank]

found it, http://www.xoutpost.com/796665-post1.html

I just quickly noticed he had no error messages, so not sure if yours will clear itself after you pump it up again.... at least if the suspension is up you can make your trip to the dealer though...

[X5Ghost]

Originally Posted by swissfrank

found it, http://www.xoutpost.com/796665-post1.html

I just quickly noticed he had no error messages, so not sure if yours will clear itself after you pump it up again.... at least if the suspension is up you can make your trip to the dealer though...

Thx swissfrnak, I think that is worth a shot. You are right about the diagnostic tools. the problem is there are so many and I dont undestand them all or which one to get. so the issue isnt $$. anyway, I'm buying the cable from that guy on eBay from Romania as soon I figure out which one he is to get the right cable and software, there are several. Thx again. I will report back.

Edit: also thx Jgold47 and others who chimed in.

[Ricky Bobby]

the compressor should run even with the error on the dash. I would make sure battery is back connected and all fuses are in place, lower it most of the way but still keep some weight on the jack. Lock and unlock car with remote, then get in car (with rear still having some weight on jack but most weight on the ground) and START the car, the compressor takes a lot of voltage and needs to be in a running car to inflate. I noticed this a few weeks back when I went to change my ride height with the key in position 2 as opposed to with the car running, the height does not always change without the car running because of the voltage needed from the controller to request the change. I started the car, pressed the lowering on my switch and height went down in 10-15 seconds per the normal.

The air suspension (and one axle systems) sometimes need the extra boost from a fully charged module while the car is running in order to run properly. Hope that helps?