HELP!!!! Inactive Suspension that wont go back up...
 

i'm in a dire need of some help and suggestions here. I have an 03 X5 4.4 with the full active suspension w/ button on left side steering. Over the w/e I had my friend changed the two front rotors and brake, while on the lift I also had him checked this funny noise coming from the driver side rear wheel driving. This noise is not a squeaky sounds, nor a wu wu sounds, but more like a peck, peck, peck sounds that gets louder and constant as speed increased, and it's only coming from that single driver side rear tires. To replicate the noise, he had me start the car on the lift, and shift it to drive to replicate noise. While accelerating on the lift, i noticed all the lights started to come on the display includind the "Inactive suspension" message and a "max speed limit" message with a 35 or 45mph. I told him about it and disregarded the message and continued with the testing by taking the back tire off (accelerated some more, all messages are persisted) and finally narrowed it down and concluded the rear noise is coming from the rear wheel bearing, and it's going bad.

After putting the car back down from the lift. We noticed it went all the way down, and literally sit on the tire. Expected the car to go back up as usual, I drove it around slowy, all the light eventually went off, except for the inactive suspension message, and there were no green light showed on the left side steering button. We checked all related suspension fuses--glove compart and rear trunk (no blown fuses), unplugged battery for hours, drove it around again. Despite all efforts, the car is determined not to go back to normal level, the air pump won't buldged. It still sits on the tires, and wont go back up.

Any help and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated before i resulted to go to the dealer and get charged an insanely hourly charges to just reset or reprogram this thing. tks in advance!!!

X5 Air Suspension
 

Did you check if there is 12 V going to the pump? There is a white plug on the pass. side of the trunk. Take your spare tire out and remove the plastic cover so that you can get to the plug with a DVM.

There are a couple more people who have a problem similar to yours on the board. None have solved it yet but for at least one guy the ride height is maintained, he just cant go to the high or olow setting.

I would first check voltage and open the pumpkin to seeif the compressor is operational.

X5 Air Suspension
 

Wish you good luck! Judging from the threads here dealers have not been all that successfull at resolving issues around the air suspension.

What stumps me is that the system pops up with "Airsusp. Inactive" on my 4.4 (rear only) from time to time but nothing is wrong and I ignore it.

On 4.8 the pump was clearly not running and the LF was low by an inch, causing real scary problems under braking and the system is completely silent..... There seems to be no pressure sensor in the system which is odd as loss of pressure could cause severe handling problems. I just don't understand the logic of how it behaves.

Sorry for the late response. I tried just about everything you guys did there. it was to no help. So, I took it to the dealer and explained exactly what went wrong and for them to clear and reset the module. They came back telling they tested all individuals components and all are okayed except for the module that is unresponsive. And it needed to replace for them to fix. They quoted me $989 for the ECU II module plus labor and to reprogram it which would total for $1400 and done--btw the module costs cheaper from Alabama dealer. I needed a second opinion, I declined the work with the stealer--paid the 200+ for diagnostics, yea they claimed they put more hours; and took the car back and have my friend scan it with an aftermarket tools. After many attempts, he was able to clear/reset the ECU module--pump kicked in, and pumped all 4 airbags, the message from dash is cleared, and the suspension button is lit and at Normal level. I was able to raise/lower it. However, I noticed the passenger rear one is not fully back to normal. I suspected that rear bag may have pinched from the back and forth driving from the stealer.
I will keep you guys posted... tks all!!!

Found something very helpful. :thumbup:
Found this on: http://wds.spaghetticoder.org/
The 2 links:
http://wds.spaghetticoder.org/en/zinfo/RDO53EHCIIABGL.htm

http://wds.spaghetticoder.org/en/svg/sp/SP0000016415.svg?m=e53

Sounds like a winner to me Gelafont. :thumbup: I'll give that a try before I go shucking out all that cash to BMW! Thanks for the good tip! If that works for me too I'll buy you a beer! :beerchug:

This is great info.... Thanks a lot James 4.8is....
For my X5, I found this info:

Vehicle inclination
There can be a wide variety of causes for a vehicle inclination. The causes usually lead to an entry in the fault memory of the control unit or to a CC message in the instrument cluster.

Causes for vehicle inclination
Sensor causes
Checking of the sensor system according to instructions in the adjacent diagnosis test module.

Mechanical causes
Sensor linkage (position, defective)
Sensor holder (position)
Securing clip of the sensor linkage (position)

Leaks as causes
Leak in the lines
Leak in the valve block
Leak on the spring strut

Electrical causes
Water in the connector (corroded pins): With this fault, a creeping inclination begins, as the signal slowly drifts away.
Short circuit in the 2-axle air suspension system (but this is normally stored by the control unit as a fault and detected via diagnosis).

System-specific causes
Opening a vehicle door during a change in the ride height (vehicle at a standstill) can cause a vehicle inclination.
Rapid forces being exerted from the outside (attaching a trailer, fast loading or unloading) can prevent regulation.
Tolerance bands with ignition on: +/-10 mm to height value from TIS. Note: In the case of the front axle, the mean value of both heights counts.
Tolerance bands with ignition off: +15 mm/-20 mm to height value from TIS. Note: In the case of the front axle, the mean value of both heights counts.
Temperature deactivation

Also found:

2-axle air suspension
The 2-axle air suspension combines an automatic load compensation on the front and rear axles with the possibility for the driver to set various vehicle levels.

Brief description of components
Control unit
The control unit activates all the valves, the compressor and the LEDs. The control unit activates all the valves, the compressor and the LEDs. To achieve this, information from the height sensors, the button, the K bus and the CAN bus is used.

Air supply system
These elements are fitted beneath a sound-damping cover. These elements are fitted beneath a sound-damping cover.

Height sensors
The suspension travel at the individual wheels is determined by measuring the relative movement between the wheel and the body. Angle of rotation sensors are used to achieve this.

Rocker switch with LEDs
The driver has a rocker switch with up/down function, which can be used to change the height level. Three LEDs are located beside the rocker switch to indicate the current height level.

Accumulator/valve unit
The accumulator/valve unit is located behind the right-hand sill, beneath the underbody panelling. The accumulator/valve unit consists of: the solenoid valves, the pressure accumulator, the pressure accumulator sensor and the pressure accumulator valve.

Main functions

System function of 2-axle air suspension
The 2-axle air suspension automatically regulates load changes on the front and rear axles. In addition, the driver can set three different heights, for example to achieve greater ground clearance in off-road driving.
There are three different heights:
- Standard: normal driving height
- Off-road: increases compared to normal driving height
- Access: lowered in relation to standard, for entry/exit, loading/unloading
In every case, the current height is indicated by the corresponding, permanently lit LED. As soon as the driver specifies a new target height by pressing the button or a change is initiated automatically by a certain driving condition, the LED of the current level remains lit and the LED of the target level flashes. When the new level is reached, the LED of the last level goes out and the LED of the newly reached level lights up permanently.
A special case is advance selection of the Access level while driving: the Access LED flashes and the LED of the original level lights up permanently. However, this does not mean that adjustment has started. This only takes place when the corresponding speed threshold that permits the Access level is reached or the speed falls below this threshold.
As soon as the ignition is switched on (terminal 15), downward level changes requested by the driver are possible. Upward changes of the level - and thus filling of the accumulator - are only possible when the vehicle engine is running.
These functions are enabled by activation of a compressor and various valves in the air supply system and the accumulator unit.
The control unit receives information of the current height of the vehicle from four height sensors. The pressure in the pressure accumulator is also registered by a sensor. The evaluation of various signals on the CAN and K buses enables recognition of driving situations and activates corresponding adjustments.
The interface to the driver consists of a button and corresponding LEDs. The 2-axle air suspension control unit can also activate text messages in the text display of the instrument cluster. The system is activated by the front axle signal and can thus become active before the vehicle is started.

Service functions

Height calibration or offset by DIS/MoDiC
As is familiar from the 1-axle air suspension system, a height calibration must also be performed for the 2-axle air suspension under certain conditions, e.g. following replacement of a height sensor. All air suspensions can be lowered or raised individually. The required activations are performed using the corresponding routines in the diagnostic program for the 2-axle air suspension. When the vehicle has reached the correct height (see TIS for height values), the height offset is performed. In the case of the 2-axle air suspension system, the offset function is performed on an axle-by-axle basis, i.e. first on the front axle and then on the rear axle. Before the offset command is executed, the height should be rechecked.

Operational test after part replacement or repair
On the 2-axle air suspension, the function of the components concerned must be checked with the corresponding service function after repair or part replacement.

Thanks for the info Igosal. I have found & read this as well from that site. I have it saved to "My Favorites"! ;) To Gelafont, Do you know wich program your friend used to hook up to the OBDII? I have Auto Enginuity 7.4 and it doesn't work on my x5 :dunno:(Works on my E39)! My friend has Car Soft (6 something) and he too can not hook up to my X5! But I have been to BMW a couple of times and they used the GT1 & OPS with no problums. So I would like to know what he used. Can you ask him. PLEEEAASSSSEEE!!! Lol...:D

Gelafont, how is it going? Is it still running fine for you? If yes, then I'll take my X5 to a local mechanic and get the ECU cleared. Maybe my issues will be resolved too. My X5 has not lowered in the past 4 days now. But the switch is still not working. It blinks and then stays there. It was intermittent before and used to go to the lowest settings sometimes overnight. It hasn't done so in the past 4 days now though....

Hi James 4.8is, sorry the late replied. I wasn't unable to reply earlier because I'm out on a short trip with the family since Thursday afternoon with no laptop. While on the road i contacted my friend a few times on the scanner name and model for you. Being the scanner wasn't his, and he returned it. He has to call the friend who hasn't returned his call back yet. But I promise as soon I heard from him sometimes today, I will logon on that painstaking phone again to post the info for you.
Btw, he still has the car. And it hasn't lost any air on any of the airbag even the from the passenger rear one which he managed to push more air in after he found the cause for that rear one being low was due to a slow leak found from the right rear canister during the moving of the pump back and forth during diagnostics.

James4.8is and all
Finally, I got the info on the tool. Providing there are no malfunction on any of the components of the suspension system. This was the tool (Autoboss V30 Auto scanner) used to help reset the module and allowed the system to be functional again. My friend called and confirmed suspension is fully operional and driving nicely and no errors on dash. Good luck all!!

Link to the actual tool
Autoboss V30 Auto Scanner | Autoboss | SPX

Thanks for your help gelafont! :thumbup:

I had this intermittent problem awhile back 1st time I took it back under warranty, they replaced a ball jt because they said the geometry was screwed up the computer shut down. then 2nd time they said the airshocks were leaking. $3000 not under warranty.
Now a third time they claim the EHCII unit is bad. Mind you my X5 is 5 years old.

@ gelafont had the same issue after pulling a fuse. I would say that by lifting it and putting it in gear while the x was off the ground triggered the fault. I had to clear the fault and then recode my module and have been good since.

dealer has 4 new bags units/sensors/lines/software flashed 6 times/ now a new control module going in. I think they are in it about $8500. i would have been happy with KW coil over set up. would have been cheaper and never have the problem again. thanks cpo....:rolleyes:

Continuing with my issue. For four days, my X5 was not used and it didn't lose any height on either of the sides. But yesterday, I took it for ride and it was again sitting on lowest setting in the mall's parking. It is definitely not a leak and has to do something with module. I'll start asking Indy shops if they have Autoboss V30 Auto Scanner to reset the module. I'll let you all know of the progress.....

Hi Guys,

First of all the ECU has nothing to do with it. Rather it is the HCU. Aparently it deactivated once you elevated the car and it got too much reading from the level sensors (you got one for each wheel). Moreover, when you run the car while elevated other systems will be affected which are linked to the HCU, wheel speed sensors etc.. like ABS, SRS, traction control. But some systems will return to normal state once the car is put on the ground and driven for a short while since they begin to pick up the correct readings again. But unfortunately, some which has precautionally deactivated completely (you can notive the button, on the left side of the steering wheel, of the Heigth control not lit. this has to be reactivated by a diagnostic tool. And hopefully it will return to normal. It is better not to drive the car while the air cushions are deflated coz this might damage thw rubber. if this does not work (God forbid) then search for a level sensor which has bent or displaced. Good luck. Khaled

Hello Guys,

again I see a talk about diagnostic tool AutiBoss. AutoBoss V30 is a great tool, but it is a universal tool and not a BMW dedicated tool. The professional BMW dedicated tools with troubleshooting capabilities are: GT1, OPS, OPPS and for the new models the best one is AutoLogic but it is a little bit expensive. Other tools for amatures or personal use (but BMW dedicated) are: CarSoft 6.5, BMW Scanner 1.36 (for older models OBDI & OBDII), V 1.4 (OBD II) and V 2.1 for the newer models. For more information email me. Khaled.

I finally took my X5 to a local mechanic last night. He really seems to know what he is talking about. He checked my air bags as the first thing and found a very small leak in the right side front Air bag for the strut. So, I need an Air Bag replacement on this. My dilemma is shall i change just the air bag or the whole strut? From Arnott, air bag alone is $319 and the whole re-manufactured strut is $369. And then shall i replace only the faulty one or both on the front? He also found Rear right side height sensor as faulty in the computer. The part # for this is 6 784 697.

Sorry for the long wait! I finally took my X5 to the BMW dealer and they hooked up there PC to it. It said there was a problem with the ECU module. The tech said I needed a new one!!! But I told him to first just clear & reset the ECU module and that it was a false error! And to recalibrate the system. So he did. Everything works just great now! Haven’t had problems with it since!!! :nanana: BMW!!!


P.S. A small shout to Gelafont! I.O.U a beer! :guinness::thumbup:

James, very interested in where this relax under the air supply tank is. could you please point it out? I found a relay for the air suspension in the truck right side compartment by the fuses ( relay #6 according to realoem ) but could not locate any other relay that you are talking about.

PS. It seems that the X5s with the air suspension in the rear only have the relay right on the air compressor but not for FULL air suspension such as my 4.8is

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psf9390378.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps87fc5ad4.jpg

How much did they charge to Reset it ?

Where is the HCU located?

Sorry, for the wait. It’s not under the pump. It’s beside the battery on the right side to rear side under a black plastic panel. Hidden from everyone. (WHY? http://www.xoutpost.com/images/smilies/dunno.gif ) And as for the price of the BMW PC hook up it depends on how well you know your service department at BMW. I paid 500:-Swedish Kroner (about $80.00) He reset and recalibrated the hole system. And as a bonus I had him lower it! http://www.xoutpost.com/images/smilies/thumbup.gif We took a standard ride height of 710mm (28”inces) at all 4’s. Then we took a lowered ride height of 680mm at all 4’s (26 ¾ inches) then we raised it back to the standard height and manually set the values to fool the system to 740mm at all 4’s (29 1/8 inches) so the system thinks 680mm is the standard ride height of 710mm so my standard is now 680mm! :cool: And my 4x4 ride height is 710mm and lowered all the way down to 650mm. “OBS” These are my ride heights! Yours may vary from these! So do your own measuring to find yours.
To sum things up:
4x4 height: OEM: 740mm Mine: 710mm
Standard OEM: 710mm Mine: 680mm
Lowered OEM: 680mm Mine: 650mm

P.S. make sure you are on level ground!
Use an alignment rack to do this!!!
We took the measurements from the wheel arch to the lowest point of the rim!

P.S.S. BMW online WDS: WDS BMW Wiring Diagram System - X5 E53

Cant find that black box...

Attachment 59114


It should be under this "BIG" black box! :thumbup: You cannot miss it! Lol...:nanana: