2005 4.8is self leveling system inactive. what are my options?
 

2 days ago i was driving and the warning massage about inactive self leveling inactived pop up on the dash. I drove it home and the next morning i checked all the fuse relate to air suspension they were all fine. I disconnected the battery for 30 mins try to reset it and the warning still there. Today after i went to a store to shop and come out i see the front on driver side dropped real low, almost only 1 finger gap from the wheel to the fender. I drove it home since my house only a few blocks away. Anyway after i get home i see the front was raising back to normal level.

Do i have a leaky airbag? How do i check if i have a leaky airbag? After i replace the airbag do i have to reset the faulty nassage to go away? Where is the best place to buy the airbag for 4.8is? Thanks in advance

Arnott bags come highly recommended on here. This is something you'll want to take care of ASAP, as if it is simply a leaky bag, you run the risk of burning out your compressor trying to keep it inflated, which turns this into a more expensive fix.

I would say scan the system and see what codes it throws. Get some soapy water and check the bags for leaks. Order what you need and get it taken care of.

Sounds like the compressor is still working, so look at the bags first.

Unfortunately i am at my 2nd house which is 3 hours away and i have to drive home. As soon as i get home i will have my mechanic flush my tranny fluid and take a look at the bag. Im planning to sell the X and go with 2008 cayenne S

I've not done this, so you'll want to search here to confirm, but I believe you can pull the fuse for the compressor to keep from burning it out until you can get the bags taken care of.

Do a search or perhaps someone else with more experience will chime in?

:thumbup:

Cheapest place that I found for airbags was this website.

ARNOTT® - BMW X5 2005 Replacement Air Suspension

However most people would replace both side even if the other side is still good, so you're looking at anywhere between 2-3000 bucks to get it fix.

Yes you have a leaking bag and I'm guessing you're burning out your compressor because it's a slow leak.

Replace with Arnott struts in pairs, and if you actually researched you know that a hard fault in the SLS cannot be reset by disconnecting the battery. Get that Cayenne S I bet it will be a ton more reliable.

I see the air spring there for about $250 a piece how come you said 2000-3000 to get it fix? Thanks for the website it will come handy

Is the fuse for the 4.8is air suspension located behind the glove box? Im going to pull it so my compressor doesnt get burn out

Again, don't just pull the fuse because I said it. Confirm that it's a viable, temporary solution first.

Unless you are planning on replacing these yourself, the other cost will be the shop labor to remove and replace the front shocks. Afterward a front end alignment would be required. I would spend the extra 60 bucks and get the complete front struts and not just the air bags.