air compressor issues
 

I've had to go through the air suspension nightmare like most others here. I'm just getting ready to replace the last air bag: the right front strut. So far the air bags seem to be the only issue with the system. no sensor or valve issues.
My problem is that the air compressor doesn't seem to come on consistently when opening the door or starting the car, Every once in a while I can get it to come on and then it seems to fill the bags. Also, the last two times I've taken it to the dealer to have the codes cleared and re calibrated after replacing air bags, they've never mentioned any issue with the compressor.

I can't get my GT1 working so I can't test it through DIS. I'm looking for a manual way to test it... maybe locating the power wire and testing it with 12v.

Also, I can't seem to find any fuses for the compressor other that the 5 amp fuse in the glove box. Both fuse holders #78 & #87 in the rear compartment are empty.

I'd really like to test the compressor and make sure it's bad before just swapping it out...

Hey did you find the problem. I am also in same situation. I changes both front struts and compressor. But stil has Self Level inactive message. I am not sure if compressor working? I checked fuses they are fine.

Pls share me your experience if you have found solution to your problem.

I am wondering why you can't get your DIS to work?
Which connection are you using? 16 pin under the steering wheel or a 20 pin connector under the hood(found in older Xes)

I did get DIS working. It was a windows issue. An OS wipe and reload fixed it.

I ran DIS and re calibrated the suspension. After running diagnostics I got an accumulator fill error. When I run full test on the system, I passes all tests and I erase the error. About 30 seconds after erase, the air susp. Inactive is back on the dash. I've run the diagnostic several times, with the same results. I'm thinkin WTF? because it passes all of the tests.

One of the Senior techs at the BMW dealer where my GF works, offered to look at it. He thinks that the compressor may not be filling the accumulator fast enough... So I still have a compressor issue, maybe...
Since the cheapest price I can find on a compressor is around $500, I'm going to live with it. The tech had a used compressor but it tuns out it was for a single axle system

Ok..here's my story.
At first it was a leaking left air spring,every morning I would find it deflated and as soon as I opened any of the doors,compressor would kick in and inflate it without any problem.
After a week or so,while I was waiting for the replacement air springs,Inactive message started to appear and I noticed that compressor would shut down before the normal height would be reached.So turning the ignition off and back on would run the compressor 2nd time and bring it to a needed height.
When the air springs got replaced it would pump ok,a bit louder than it used to be,but yet without Inactive message.
But after a month or so message started to show up again and it was a right sensor out of range(or something like that).
Now the right side is lower.No messages.Compressor pumping as it should.
I am about to order the links from the swing arms to sensors,they get clogged with crap and rusted that I was barely able to move it,when I was removing the sensors.
So my guess is,that even if the the sensor is working just fine a screwed up link would pull it in a wrong angle and we all know that if you alter one angle another gets altered as well.So an input out of range=confused control unit=screwed up height and so on.
You can inflate and deflate the air springs through DIS,try to deflate them completely and after inflate a couple of levels.
If compressor pumps fine with manual input,then you have something else failed and not letting it work as it should.
Am I wrong?

The diagnostic tests perform a partial inflation and deflation and reports the pressure in the accumulator... everything looks good.
The error is a fill request but during the test the fill request is fulfilled.
Incidently I had to replace the fron left level sensor but that has nothing to do with the fill error, that came up as a secondary error.
I wonder what the expected presssure vs time is... with that info, I might be able to see if the compessor is working correctly

My 4 corner SLS has also been on the fritz. The Car was handling poorly for a month or so. Ended up being the right front airbag had a leak. I replaced the airbag, but the system will not reinflate. I can not get the compressor to kick on, so I assume it burned out working overtime to try and keep the leaking bag full. Any idea how I can jump the compressor to verify it is truely dead. i do not have access to a test set (GT1/DIS). I have not driven the truck since I replaced the bag. I am afraid i will trash the new air bag without it being inflated.

Thanks
Dallas

Try pulling all the fuses and relays to the system so it can re initialize. Mine did the same thing after replacing the bag. What you can also do is jack up the front end so there isn't too much stress. Not to the point the wheels are off the ground, but to the point you are taking some load off. From there, try setting the system in the lower position first. The pump should kick on and fill the bag. Then raise it to standard, then all the way up. After it did that, bring it back to normal. Give that a shot.

Testing compressor: I replaced my compressor yesterday with new one ordered from Arnott air suspension system. They said it is same one as BMW use. It comes with 2 years warranty + a relay under $500. I did changed every thing but pump did not kick it. So I took it to local mechanic, who connected the old to direct battery terminals and old pump worked with hissing sound. He did same for new one as well it too worked.

But self level inactive message was not gone (even after driving for 5 kms). I could not make out whether compressor is working or not. I am planning to take it to BMW dealer and get the error code read/reset.

By the way, after replacing the compressor, now I got a airbag warn? I have to get this reset also.

I had to replace a front level sensor and more,I found that the harness was damaged.So I soldered the harness back together,as one of the cables was completely disconnected.My headlights were pointing down.Now it's all back to "normal" just need to calibrate the system,but my garage floor is not leveled.So dealer will do it.
My Inactive message was gone only after a sharp cornering,I assume when all the input values from all 3 sensors made sense to the Control Unit.
I bet you either have a bad connection to one of the sensors,and you have 4 of them,or one of them is bad..otherwise it's the Control Unit.
As well I would give it a try to "wake up" by disconnecting the battery overnight.


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