Help! Rear suspension is raised super high!
 

I woke up, went to my car and the rear of my car is like raised to the tilt.

I mean, there is like 6 to 8 inches of space between my wheel and well. This is not normal.

I did not push any buttons or do anything. But it's both sides not just one side, so I assume this a feature? I have never seen this before nor know what to do.

Any help? PLEASE!!!!

2001 X5 4.4 Sport

got a picture?

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/4678/suspensionl.jpg

i got some 'selfleveling inact.' warning now... what does it mean?

WOW...Curious to see what that is. I bet a sensor or module...I am sure others will chime in with what the deal is!

Looks like some of the cars from the 70's with the "Gabriel Hi Jacker" air shocks!

I am sure you tried...Did you press the buttons to see if it lowers it?

I know the one I had (for a week) had the reverse problem...But I could push the button to raise it / then lower it...It would "snap out of the problem" and go back to normal.

he has an 01' wouldn't it be self leveling on sport packages assuming since you have SP wheels.

i dont have a 'button'.... where would this be located?

right - i think it's self leveling. any ideas how to reset? maybe unplug battery??

urgent bump!

Have you tried calling a dealer service department or an independent local mechanic on the phone and ask for their advice? In an urgent case like this, I wouldn't personally wait on a response from a forum.

I've seen this before i cant remember where. i'll try searching it.

Looks dangerous I would avoid driving it for now.

pls pls PM me, when you find it! THANKS!

Disconnect the battery to reset the X, if it doesnt reset the level then, its most likely that the self leveling sensor has failed. Take the X to the dealer, or local shop that can replace the sensor.

any idea on cost?

Sensors are cheap. labor is what kills.
But did you dis connect the battery yet?


if you were NJ i would refer you to a good shop.

yup, disconnected it. waitied about 5 minutes. replugged it in. still sitting high.

i just got off the horn with a local shop, they said usually when it fails, the suspension sags. if it's all the way up, i think dsm2925 might have a good point - it's probably the sensor that failed not the compressor.

advice?

I had the same problem last winter. One of the rear sensors physically broke and froze in a position that made the ecu think the back end was sitting low so it pumped up the airbags. The moment I drove it I got an error message (self leveling inact I think.) Dealer replaced the sensor and all was well. On mine it was the left rear but there's one for each rear airbag

I went through this last fall, both my rear sensors were seized and not able to move freely. The truck would look really high in the rear. If i were you i would find out how much it costs to run the code on the computer, it will tell you which sensor is failing if it's just the one. More than likely i would just change both.

I replaced both sensors, arms, and brackets on the left and right rear. The sensors are around $80 each if i remember correctly. They can be replaced by yourself too.

the WEIRDEST thing. after "rebooting" by disconnecting the battery, the car stayed high and the warning was still there. then driving for maybe 20 minutes, it actually went back to normal? and now, it's BEEN normal.

i think the battery disconnect reset the sensors? WOOHOO! more to report if it comes back.

Brit6 I know its been a while, would you be able to post a DIY on replacing the Self Leveling sensors
Or anyone else for that matter, I think mine just went bad, jumpstarted my car and the rear was way up high wont come back down, the last thing I remeber was the compressor running before the battery went dead
Thank you, lately its one problem after the next

Its pretty easy, you remove the leveling arm that attaches to the rear suspension arm with a 10mm socket and 8mm socket, once that is removed, you take a 8mm socket and remove the bracket from the upper arm. Unplug the sensor, buy all new parts and replace in reverse order. If you want pics i will try to find some :)

Brit6
Your a lifesaver, it sounds pretty straight forward, if you do have any pics of the leveling arm and bracket that would be awesome, I really appreciate you posting this update

I wish we could have the moderators take all the DIY info and categorize it in one spot, its tough to search through the forums for old articles with specific instructions

best I can do at the moment
sorry the camera is crap , tried allsorts to get a decent pic but it aint happening .
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...e-job-diy.html
this is the link to page showing more pics. go to step 26 .
small pic at bottom of this page as a clue .you will see the small sensor linking arms to the right of the air spring .

I think it's a sensor...had the car like that as well but never fixed it...I just deflated the airbags till the back was very low then the bags inflated themselves at the right level...susp inac. message still displays but i hardly have time to visit dealer

Thank you guys, it was stuck like that for a couple days and then all of a sudden I came out and the suspension reset itself, I didnt even have a chance to get under the car to unplug the sensor or disconnect the battery, but THANK YOU anyways I will probably replace the sensors soon as preventive maint. It all happened when my interior lights were left on and the battery wen totally dead and then I was jump started... at least thats one less part I have to replace, already have a PS hose,CV Boot and Window Regulators on the list gotta love it :-)

Hey ... i have x5 4.8is .... I got the car from Encinitas as well just 4 days ago. I was already aware that car has this problem, dealer told me 60 day warranty will cover that with no problem. They already have inspected that and fixed i guess, because when i got the car from dealer it was OK, SELF LEVEL was working and no warning.. I have been driving the car for 3 days, went to the car and WARNING CAME ON again. height on the car is normal , self level is not responding when push a button. I live 30 min from them, one of the reasons i dont want go back. Will battery unplugging work for my car you think ? or i should take it to dealer and kind of be pissed of and let them deal with it ONE TIME AND THATS IT ?

please hel

Anyone pls help