Help!!! 4.8is self levelling suspension inactive.

[dan.squires]

Morning all,

Sorry havent been on for a while, I have no internet at my new house until the end of the week so have had to sneak on my computer at work lol.

Onto the problem, I started my car this morning to warm the old girl up and the self levelling suspension inactive sign popped up under the speedo. The problem I have is looking through other peoples problems on the forum I can only seem to find topics that have this warning but the suspension has dropped, where as mine is stuck on normal ride height but cannot be adjusted to the higher or lower levels.

I drove it too work just because I would rather leave it at work (as its a secure car park), but the ride was shocking really stiff like there was no give in the suspension, (felt like I was back in my old punto on coilovers when I was 17 lol). I am just completely baffled that its stuck on the middle setting.

Thanks for any help you can give me,

Dan.

P.S. hopefully will be able to get pics of my 4.8is up next week once I have the internet at home .

[kena]

Morning Dan
I can only give you info on problems I had with my suspension towards end of last year.
My suspension appeared to really stiff like yours and I couldn't raise or lower it with the switch to the right of the steering column.
However I had no suspension warnings on the dash.
Went out one day and the front was very low.
Turned out that both front airbags had been leaking and the compressor had been working over time to keep them pumped up.
The compressor eventually gave up.
That was the info my indy gave me.
Total cost around £3k at the indy.
God only knows what the main dealer would have charged.
Good luck

[dan.squires]

Thanks Kena. I did notice the other day the front drivers side corner was lower but unlocked the car and it all lifted up again, so perhaps its a similar problem. Am glad I got the 2 years warrenty in part of the deal when I bought it if thats the case lol.

Thanks for the info

[kena]

Could be a leaking airbag and the compressor has pumped it up.
Each front airbag/strut is £509+vat
compressor is around the £800+vat mark

[Turks]

Kena is spot on although it could be something as simple as the level sensor. My car has had both front Air bags replaced last year. Last month I got the same warning as you, looked under the car and the arm on the level sensor was broken. This just happens over time as they get corroded. It looks like a little bar coming down from the chassis into a small block which is the switch / sensor that is on the swing arm.


Turks.

[dan.squires]

Thanks for the helpful replies.

Came out this morning though and it was sitting on its backside, so left it at home and going to ring up today and get it booked in to be sorted.

Just want it sorted so I can have my smooth drive back lol. Missed the drive this morning in it .

[tarmac_terror]

Don't want to be negative but mine recently required a new compressor days after taking delivery. Hope it's something simple though..

TT

[Raj]

I've had the control module, pump, actuator and valve all replaced to resolve my suspension issues. Good job you got the warranty...

[rbell11]

Suspension on these things is a mare! I only have the 3.0 so only have rear air susp. half the problems and cheaper parts (control unit about 1/6th cost of those for 4 wheel air susp.) but even so my recent problems were a real PITA. I sourced some second hand spares and 2 new sensors to sort but it took a while and lots of headaches - no warranty for me to rely on. Now sorted good luck with yours.

[bonerp]

Dan
Mine didnt drop when this error message came up. Was in need of a new pump. Cost smidge under a grand from BMW. As Sanj said, glad i had warranty!

[dan.squires]

I am glad I have the warranty now with lists people have been responding with lol,

She will be flat bedded to the garage tommorow hopefully wont be too long before I can have her back and drive it again , clean it and then post some pics up for you guys.

[4.8isFred]

What did it turn out to be at fault Dan?

[dan.squires]

[quote=""4.8isFred""]What did it turn out to be at fault Dan?[/quote]

Got it back saturday, the compressor had given up the go and there was a slight leak in the front right airbag, so both airbags have been replaced, the compressor and the sensors on the front have also been changed. The drive is so much better now , handling has dramatically improved and it is so much smooother now.

[kena]

Glad you got it sorted. Similar to my problems, must be a common occurrence on the X's with front air suspension.

[4.8isFred]

Thats alot of work you had done there Dan. The suspension on the x5 is expensive to say the least.

Do you mind me asking what it cost to replace all the parts?