SLS + headlight level sensor

[Ryoken]

now I don't think its a daft Q , but here we go , ill try to explain as good as i can.
i do know i have self level inact error on my car at the moment,
the other week i noticed that my rear right corner is lower than my rear left , maybe 2 inch, when the car is off and its been parked up . when i fire the car up the airbag of the right lift it up so its level ,
ive had it in the other day for some work doing on it , and the indy says he cant see anything wrong with the airbags.
if i have the ignition on , and jack up the rear left of the car it should i think force the other side up to level the car, and then i can check for leaks
also correct me if im wrong but , number 19 on this , does both headlight AND suspension level??
RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.4i LEVELL.DEVICE, AIR SPRING AND CTRL UNIT

reason why i ask this is i read my codes other day and i keep getting this
LCM -> Shadow-memory:
57/02 - Level control system
im wondering if that sensor could be going bad and its causeing both the suspension and the headlight problems??
plus the sensor at the rear of the car that i beleive works the the sls, if you remove the arm from the chassis and physically move that it should "tell the computer" the level is off?. it could be a way to determine if its a sensor fault or a bag fault ,

not really stupid questions really

[Ricky Bobby]

Does it leak down overnight on that one side?

If so you're overthinking it way too much, replace the bags in a pair if they are original, they are leaking.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Ryoken

1. ...i have self level inact error on my car at the moment ... my rear right corner is lower than my rear left ... when i fire the car up the airbag of the right lift it up so its level ... the indy says he cant see anything wrong with the airbags.

2. also correct me if im wrong but , number 19 (in diagram below) does both headlight AND suspension level??

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

1. The rear air suspension has multiple parts that contain air/air pressure. You need to check the air bags...as well as the air reservoirs & pipes (#4, #5, and #6 in diagram). A visual inspection may not be enough...did you try spraying a soapy solution on these parts to see if a bubble or bubbles appear? Also raising the rear end to where the air springs are extended may reveal cracks in the bags.

Ditto RB...if suspension is lowering overnight...then there's a leak in a component on that side...again, look at all components that could be the culprit for leaking air (which is not just the air spring/bag).

2. The level sensor (#19) has two different part nbrs...and it depends on if you have "Xenon" headlights or not. If you don't have xenon (HID) headlights, then the sensor is for the rear suspension only...if you do, then the sensor is for the suspension AND the headlamp adjustment.

BTW...make sure that the arm on the level sensor (#19) didn't accidentally get turned in the wrong direction...which has been known to happen on some BMW models when the suspension is lifted. I can't remember if it was an e38, e39, or e53 forum...but in the back of my memory banks...I remember this being one thing to check...because the level sensor's arm can get flipped the wrong way when the suspension is extended.

[Ryoken]

I am most probably over thinking it , I do have an habit of doing this on problems
I've got to remove my bm54 for an upgrade and repair in the following weeks, so the carpet and the trim in the boot will be getting removed, so I should be able to check the SLS lines from the inside with soapy water,
Bobby the car has done 145k and I think there the original bags. so you are most probably correct ,I was maybe overthinking the sensor ideal.
oh my car does have the xenons, ill have to see if I get the headlight sensor error in a near future to see if its reoccurring
plus ill jack up the car n have a look
Steve

[Ricky Bobby]

If original with their age and 145k my money is on the bags. Arnott Industries for replacements.

Jack up the side that has been leaking and crawl under, you'll see small cracks on the bottom folds I'm 99.9% sure. That would be where your leaks come from

[Ryoken]

ill have a crawl under the beast tomorrow, and let you know,

(weather permitting it IS England)

[Ryoken]

Well , that was an interesting start to the day,
lifted the carpet in the boot up , to get jack , hit me on head, TWICE !
took wheel off, and tested airbag with soapy water , no leaks , put jack back again carpet hit me on head
just out of curiosity I looked to see if I could get the black plastic bits off the side of the boot to look at the air lines, and by the looks, both the left and right boot carpet panels have been removed (clips missing), I suspect to either inspect or replace the airbags, I cant see it being anything else???.
anywhooo , got it all back together and putting the fuse cover panel.
fuse 87 the 30 amp pump fuse was blown.. !!!!! .
TYPICAL
at least I got no leaks on the air bags that's the main thing

[Ricky Bobby]

Did you jack up the side and look under the folds to look for cracks in the bag? I'm not discounting you, but you mentioned the fuse was blown (fuse 87 for the compressor)

-Usually that happens when the compressor is working double time to inflate the bags because they are leaking and it usually blows from running too much. You can also blow the seal out on the compressor if this happens

Since your X is 13 years old with 146k I'd definitely be double certain that its the bags intact.

If the X leaks down on that side overnight again, you'll know for certain.

[Ryoken]

yeah Ricky , I had the 5 up in the air and checked the bag with soapy water, I couldn't see anything to show that it was leaking, ill have another look later
again , thanks for your replies

[HDUB]

Sorry if this question is redundant, but i couldn't find any answers in the threads I read.
My 2001 4.4i is acting up and I can't figure it out to save my life. The Air suspension deactivates sometimes and the rear driver side drops. I know it's not a leak because the car doesn't deflate over night. even when the car is locked. I've checked all the fuses and non are blown. When i turn the car off and then on or take the fuses out and back in, the compressor kicks on and the inflates the bags. Any thoughts on where to look for problems? thanks,