Selflevel. susp.inact error E53 3.0D 2005

tojjm71 · Post by **tojjm71** » Fri Jan 06, 2023 10:31 pm

Hi all,
I have seen other posts about this fault, but they don't help with my issue. One day the fault came up, but once you switched off and on it went away, eventually it stayed on, rear suspension did not go down. I googled the fault and there was a lot about the pump piston ring worn, so I removed the pump and wired to switches to turn pump on and operate the solenoids, pump worked suspension went up, after about a month the rear of the car went down and damaged a air bag so I replaced them, I got a copy of inpa and used it to operate the pump and raised to the correct level. Then I read about the module down the side of the battery, checked it out and yeah it was full of water, I bought a used working module and installed, still had the fault, cleared all faults with Inpa but fault still showing on the dash. I then replaced both level sensors on the back suspention, fault still on dashboard, took it to the garage for them to clear faults, they reported there were no faults showing. At the moment every 4 months I have to connect with Inpa and pump the system up.
Can anyone help? This has been driving me mad for over a year

Alan Gunn · Post by **Alan Gunn** » Sat Jan 07, 2023 6:25 am

Sounds like the fault i had but all i changed was a nsr level sensor.
Mine never went down it was just the warning i kept getting.

Lobster Pot · Post by **Lobster Pot** » Sat Jan 07, 2023 3:28 pm

Might not be same but I had a similar fault on my old 5 series e61 did all sorts of strange things until it packed up totally turned out to be the relay
on the e61 it’s a green relay in boot might not be same on x5 but worth checking as it was only a fiver from dealers

Alan Gunn · Post by **Alan Gunn** » Sun Jan 08, 2023 5:29 am

Think there are some relays in the off-side cubby hole as i call them.
Not sure as to what colour they are but if you have 2 green swap them over worth a try.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Jan 08, 2023 10:08 am

Relay K126 - and it’s to the right of the battery so may have got wet in your earlier incident…X10274 is the connector plug.

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henrym3 · Post by **henrym3** » Sun Jan 08, 2023 1:38 pm

Don’t forget to find how the water is getting in and sort it.

tojjm71 · Post by **tojjm71** » Mon Jan 09, 2023 7:26 pm

Thank you very much, I will try the relay, to be honest didn’t think about a relay, to busy on the more technical side. I will order a new relay. I’ll let you know how I get on

tojjm71 · Post by **tojjm71** » Sat Jan 14, 2023 4:58 pm

Hi,
I took a look today there is no relay next to the module, I had a thought, if I connect through Inpa and control each side individually and both together then it could not be a relay. So it all points to the level sensors, but they have been replaced. So back to square one. I might have to take it to BMW or to a BMW specialist

henrym3 · Post by **henrym3** » Sat Jan 14, 2023 9:03 pm

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That is a picture of a 2005 3ltr d and item 9 is a relay. So I assume you have one tucked away somewhere

henrym3 · Post by **henrym3** » Sat Jan 14, 2023 9:22 pm

Reading this through again it’s quite likely the wiring to the sensors are damaged. Let the suspension down then disconnect the levelling rods and move the sensor arms by hand and see if it activates the pump, disconnect the wiring plug and ensure it’s clean spray some contact cleaner on it, trace the wires as far as possible for breaks. If all fails do a continuity check to the module. PITA but you’ll pay a fortune to get a garage to do it
PS
Someone might have a wiring diagram for wire colours

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:09 pm

Found this: (E53, 3.0D single axle self levelling susp).

The control module A118, is behind the glovebox, passenger side…the connector (X10279) is a 54-pin.

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The wiring colours are as below. I think WS is white (it’s German) and SW is Black

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sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Sun Jan 15, 2023 3:30 pm

Reading this, I hope the OP gets the problem resolved but, it's made me think.

My old E53 V8 had what I always believed was referred to as the "german helmet" item 8, in the lower boot area. I didn't recall that the car had air suspension as i never had any issue with it in ten years of ownership. Was I lucky (though had plenty of other unrelated issues) or is my memory failing me and the car didn't have rear air suspension?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Jan 15, 2023 3:38 pm

If it had the helmet it may have had just rear self levelling air susp. The full fat version had a ride-height adjuster (thumbwheel) on the lower dash.

I never had any trouble with mine (self-levelling) either. To be honest it just did its thing quietly. I don’t ever recall hearing the compressor run either. German helmets must be soundproof …

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Sun Jan 15, 2023 4:04 pm

Ah, glad full senility hasn't arrived yet. No dash thumbwheel, i do recall that, which confirms it was rear air only, it was utterly trouble free in my ownership.

Is it full air that's more troublesome ?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Jan 15, 2023 4:30 pm

Seems to be. The ride height sensors are a weak point - not surprising given their location and exposure to the elements. Air spring bags wear out and puncture. I don’t think it’s any different with other cars and manufacturers though.

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