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Self levelling suspension issues starting

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
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CondorX5
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Self levelling suspension issues starting

Post by CondorX5 » Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:12 pm

Well I suppose its inevitable. More than a month or so with no, or just trivial, problems, on a 4.8is is too much to ask for.
Have had one or two random self levelling suspension inactive messages in the past so when another one popped up yesterday I didn't worry about it and it disappeared after restarting.  But its come back and won't go away now, accompanied by the tyre pressure light staying on yellow and will not reset.  Apart from the suspension feeling rather hard, its driving fine but obviously needs attention.

Anything I can try before the inevitable dealer visit?  At least its not as bad as a P38 Range Rover on its bump stops, which is the same air bag suspension as the X, so thank heavens for small mercies!  The car is sitting perfectly level fortunately, just has an inactive suspension making for a bumpy-ish ride.  The commute I do is in heavy Birmingham traffic so high speeds are not much of an option, but it would be nice if it was working!
X5 2005 Le Mans Blue 4.8is
Fully loaded but Now semi-retired! 

X5 2012 Alpine White 40d MSport 21" style 215 black alloys, rear entertainment, media package, comfort seats and a load of other options.

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Re: Self levelling suspension issues starting

Post by Ubatoid » Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:01 pm

The most common problem is the when the suspension is calling for a little lift and the pump doesn't achieve required lift in set time. More than likely your pump is a little tired and or you have a leak. Check all air unions and bags with soapy water to check for bubbles indicating a leak and look at getting a pump re-build kit.
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Re: Self levelling suspension issues starting

Post by Horizon » Wed Jan 30, 2013 6:45 pm

These are 2 common faults to flash up when the battery voltage is low. Try a trickle charge overnight.
If you have a multi meter, try a voltage check, the voltage should be 12 volts or over when stood 14v dc when the engine is running.
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Re: Self levelling suspension issues starting

Post by CondorX5 » Wed Jan 30, 2013 7:36 pm

Thanks both, it shouldn't be battery issues as a brand new one was fitted when I had the alternator issues and as for the compressor, well its still on the Extended AUC warranty so if it needs a new one so be it, although I daresay airbags will be charged as wear and tear items.  Hopefully its a faulty sensor or something as it was working perfectly one minute then not the next.

Booked into main dealers in a weeks time when they can give me a car for a few days and fix the other niggly things like the chromatic wing mirror whose coating is collapsing and the rear light cluster where the brake light no longer works. Hey ho. You would think with a car that cost around £60K new that things would last a bit longer, but seems not.  Hopefully warranty will cover most of it.  :'(
X5 2005 Le Mans Blue 4.8is
Fully loaded but Now semi-retired! 

X5 2012 Alpine White 40d MSport 21" style 215 black alloys, rear entertainment, media package, comfort seats and a load of other options.

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Re: Self levelling suspension issues starting

Post by Raj » Wed Jan 30, 2013 8:51 pm

Your more than welcome to pop over and I can check the error codes with the scanner.

As you know with the air suspension it could be anything from a sensor to the air pump. Doesn't sound like a leak due to the level holding, so may well be just a sensor or the air pump starting to play up.
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Re: Self levelling suspension issues starting

Post by CondorX5 » Wed Jan 30, 2013 11:46 pm

Booked in at our fave main dealer Raj, via the very helpful Danielle........  I have a generic OBDII scanner and was just going to clear the codes and see if everything reset itself or just returned, but I think I will let them do it instead, may as well use the warranty, lets hope it covers most if not all.........thanks for the offer, will take you up on it in the future. Still need to install the Intravee and the Alpine cd changer (ainet compatible) and the ps2 / headrest screens. Probably end up changing car in years to come and still not done!
X5 2005 Le Mans Blue 4.8is
Fully loaded but Now semi-retired! 

X5 2012 Alpine White 40d MSport 21" style 215 black alloys, rear entertainment, media package, comfort seats and a load of other options.

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Re: Self levelling suspension issues starting

Post by pvr » Thu Jan 31, 2013 10:04 am

Best decision you made - warranty!
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Re: Self levelling suspension issues starting

Post by CondorX5 » Fri Feb 01, 2013 12:26 pm

Absolutely.  I love the car ( except its a bit of a bumpy ride right now!) but something is forever wrong with it, even if its trivial. Should last better than this!  Would be a complete nightmare money pit without the warranty.  I think I will maintain the warranty as long as possible and not go cheap with a warranty direct type product either.
X5 2005 Le Mans Blue 4.8is
Fully loaded but Now semi-retired! 

X5 2012 Alpine White 40d MSport 21" style 215 black alloys, rear entertainment, media package, comfort seats and a load of other options.

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Re: Self levelling suspension issues starting

Post by B1G JV » Wed Feb 06, 2013 1:40 pm

Hi Condor, what was the outcome of the self leveling suspension issue? 

I ask as today I got the self leveling susp inactive message. I hoping it goes away when I leave work :D  and I'm putting it down to being parked overnight on a very uneven car park with the back end 600mm higher than the front. (fingers crossed).
Current: E53 Facelift 3.0d Sport Exclusive, Sterling Grey/Black Nappa Leather, comms, 20"'s, heated steering wheel :p just remapped by Jason @BW Chiptune.
(Previous X5 4.4i Sport, Black/Black, comms, 20" 168's)
Also: E31 840Ci
Previous: 911, M5, 540, RR, 30ish BMW's

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Re: Self levelling suspension issues starting

Post by CondorX5 » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:21 am

B1G JV, am dropping it off at the dealers in exchange for a loaner on Saturday so will update once I get it back fully repaired later next week. Hopefully its a warranty repair as I have an extended one, unlikely to be air bags which are not warranty items but you never know!  Watch this space! It isnt much fun to drive like this so looking forward to it being repaired!
X5 2005 Le Mans Blue 4.8is
Fully loaded but Now semi-retired! 

X5 2012 Alpine White 40d MSport 21" style 215 black alloys, rear entertainment, media package, comfort seats and a load of other options.

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Re: Self levelling suspension issues starting

Post by B1G JV » Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:17 pm

Cheers Condor, luckily my error message was a one off but it may be the start of something to come :o

good luck with your at the weekend! 
Current: E53 Facelift 3.0d Sport Exclusive, Sterling Grey/Black Nappa Leather, comms, 20"'s, heated steering wheel :p just remapped by Jason @BW Chiptune.
(Previous X5 4.4i Sport, Black/Black, comms, 20" 168's)
Also: E31 840Ci
Previous: 911, M5, 540, RR, 30ish BMW's

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