self leveling inactive front passenger side deflated

[craigatkinson]

I have a 2006 BMW x5 4.8is with self leveling front and rear. A couple days ago I was installing an AUX input and asking questions about the install on this forum. After the install I couldn't make the AUX work so started pulling fuses, and messing around. Never did get it to work, and immediately after that ordeal my "self leveling inactive" light came on. Then I noticed that my right front air spring was completely deflated. The other sides are fully inflated. I called the dealership, but they can't get me in until Thursday.

So today I decided to disconnect the battery to see if I could reset everything. After I got the battery hooked back up, I decided to leave the spare tire out so I could turn the car on and listen for the air compressor. When I turned the car on, I got the same "self leveling inactive" light again, and when I went to the rear of the car to listen for the pump to come on, there was no sound. Its as if the pump isn't coming on at all. You would think if my front passenger side bag had a leak that the pump would run and run.

If possible I'd like to diagnose this issue myself in order to avoid taking it to the dealership and paying an arm and a leg for repairs. Can anyone help?

[xRide]

Retrace the fuses and see which one is for the air suspension. Check that fuse's condition . But its possible that your bag has a leave

[craigatkinson]

I did check the fuses, they looked fine, but I replaced them anyway just to make sure that wasn't the problem. The problem persisted.
My next question is, if my bag has a leak, shouldn't my pump be running trying to fill it up?

[bcredliner]

The pump should come on when the key is in the position 2. I would have someone turn on the key while I was already at the pump to make sure it is not running.

The pump would run continuously if the bag is toast. If that was for an extended time the compressor may have fried.

[craigatkinson]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

The pump should come on when the key is in the position 2. I would have someone turn on the key while I was already at the pump to make sure it is not running.

The pump would run continuously if the bag is toast. If that was for an extended time the compressor may have fried.

A failed compressor would suck, but probably not as badly as a failed control module. I am going to upload a video on here of the problem. I am just waiting for it to upload. There is a salvage yard around here that I know has a pump. I'm wondering if I should replace the pump, or go and have my vehicle diagnosed by BMW first. Maybe when someone sees my video they will have a better idea whether it's the pump or the control module or simply a deflated bag.

[e30cabrio]

When I replaced my rear bags it took about two minutes for the compressor to come on after I restored the fuse (two 30 amp fuses in the pass side rear compartment near the sub woofer)

Those were two tense minutes for me.

Did you leave the key on for any length of time?

[craigatkinson]

Yes I left it on for at least that long, but I'll try it again just to make sure. I imagine since the one side went down and the others didn't that the bag needs replaced anyway. My worry is that either the module or the pump needs replaced. I really don't want to plop down 800-900 for a new module.

[craigatkinson]

Ok, here is the video I just made showing what my problem is.



Any thoughts?

[craigatkinson]

Finally figured out how to embed the video.

[e30cabrio]

Sorry you are having these issues.

Have you tried picking that side up, letting the strut extend to get the sensor to move & letting it down? Maybe the sensor is stuck?