HELP: "SELFLEVEL SUSP INACT"
 

Hi everyone, I have a 2001 X5 4.4. I wanted to see if anyone has had this problem, and fixed it on their own before I go back to the dealer. I noticed that there are serveral posts on other sites about this issue? Is there a quick fix that I can do on my mine or do I need to go back to the dealer? People have suggested anything from "air supply control unit" to sensors, to faulty fuses. I am not sure where the fuses would be located or where the sensors are? I was also told that since I upgraded my rims/wheels from 18" to 20" aftermarket BMW look alikes, that I would need the dealer to reset the computer so that the X5 realizes the new tire configuration. Is this true? Geeeeeeeeeeze If I sneeze in the car, do I need to go the dealer for that too, Seems like I am running to the dealer every other week.

Please let me know if any of you have experienced this problem, was there a quick fix?? how do you reset a computer on these cars?

Thanks in advance...

My X has been to the dealer 4 times for this problem already - and guess what? THE INFAMOUS MESSAGE IS ON MY OBC AGAIN! Back to the dealer this afternoon. Unless its a blown fuse Steve, you'll need the dealer to handle it or a certified experienced shop if you have no warranty. Good luck.

Just what I was afraid off..... which fuse, is there a particular label?? or where are fuses located for this??

There are 2 places to check the fuses... one is in the glove box and the other is in the cargo area (pass. side hatch door). They are labeled.

mine has been in for every single component due to the self leveling sus. in the last year !! last time i was there the tech told me that every single electronical part has been replaced so hopefully that should be it !! def a poor design !!

All my components regarding the air suspension have been replaced also! (dealer told me roughly $5000 for this) It worked fine for about 4 months. I'm still covered under CPO until January 08. Lets see what happens this time around, because every time I bring my X into the dealer some other problem surfaces after I get it back.

when i had this problem, i checked the fuse box in the glove box and there it was, a burnt fuse. Mind you i also had no interior lights, so it made it somewhat easier to check that fuse first.

Everytime I've had the problem, the fuses all checked out ok.

I had the same problem..3 trips to the dealer resolved it...about 5 weeks without my x5...Sorry to hear about your mishap...

5 weeks gone with only 3 trips to the dealer! I'm at about 4 weeks with 4 trips so far. Lets see what my average will be after I take it to Stevens Creek BMW today.

same here. THey never found the cause and it would come back every 4-6 months or so and then clear.

:thumbup: Atleast yours "clears" gresch...

it seemed to happen most when I put the car in gear very quickly after starting the engine.... but then if i just turned the car off and waited a few seconds, then restarted it, it was ok.

That was on my '01, the '04 never had the problem.

Thanks
 

Thanks to all that replied to my thread. I went ahead and changed two fuses to see if that would make the difference. No, that would be too simple and not enough money for BMW. The error message still appears on my dash, I am going to see if a BMW shop can reset my computer, perhaps the code is stuck?? Also, not sure if upgrading to 20" wheels is throwing off something, the dealer told me to bring in the car since I upgraded to 20" inches, the computer needs to be reset.... not sure if this is true?

Thanks
 

Thanks for responding everyone.... changed the fuses, however, no luck, I am starting to wonder if I bought a lemon... every month couple hundred dollars here, couple hundred dollars there... I also notice a slight lag in my steering wheel, I am sure that is a another couple of hundred or a thousand bucks to fix that problem. Geeeez, German engineering..... Is there anyway to totally disengage this option on a X5?? so that the message doesn't appear on the screen.I could care less for self leveling, its just a another name for air shocks...

Steve I understand your frustration :confused: The air suspension system on the 01' and 02' models (03's also?) seems to plague some of us. I took my X in today (5th time!) after 4 or 5 months with no issues... a good run! :thumbup: My CPO runs out in Jan 08' - after that I'm on my own. I do have a good mechanic who has a lot of BMW experience. If your not covered, find a good BMW guy in your area... they are out there. BTW the air suspension system allows much better handling!!! - I would never want to disable it.