XSeries-forum

Hi all,
Started the wagon up at work and got "self level suspension inactive" warning on the diagnosis screen, checked all round the car and all was level so switched engine off and re-started and did not get the error message again on my way home, has anyone had the same happen to them before?
Cheers.

ive had the message appear on screen once. there was no signs of a problem and its been fine ever since.
all i can think of was the car was parked with one wheel up a low kerb and that messed up the self levelling sensors somehow..

Highly likely to be a false warning caused by the electrics.  One way of solving it is to let all of the warning lights cycle before cranking the engine.  If something fails to boot up correctly before the volts drop caused by cranking the engine then that error can appear.

Just another of the wierd things these cars do to worry owners even though nothing is wrong. >:(

Richard

Thanks for reassurance chaps 

[quote="X5Sport"]
Highly likely to be a false warning caused by the electrics.  One way of solving it is to let all of the warning lights cycle before cranking the engine.  If something fails to boot up correctly before the volts drop caused by cranking the engine then that error can appear.

Just another of the wierd things these cars do to worry owners even though nothing is wrong. >:(

Richard
[/quote)Or battery  needs checking  O:-) O:-)

I've had this a couple of times in the 7 years of ownership, it was the fuse.

I get this error message several times a week.

Check your battery voltage.

this weekend, before you start the engine... turn all your lighting on for 20 mins (without engine), turn off lights, and check voltage -make a note of it.

A cold battery should be holding 13+ volts before start up, the same after lights on for 20 mins.

Start engine and check voltage again... the charging voltage should be 14+ volts - pressure the throttle peddle to 2,000rpm to check voltage.

An under voltage/knackered battery is...
Idle cold voltage of less than 13 volts
Cannot hold a charge voltage of 14+ volts when engine running

So, you will likely get spurious error messages with an under voltage battery.
A battery holding 10>11 volts will often be capable of starting the vehicle, but a load current of say a window or main beam will trigger failure report or endless error messages.

The suspension levelling error is NOT unusual.
The error could be caused by many things such as....
Under voltage battery
moisture in boot compartment causing false readings
suspension arm sensors moisture in electrical connections
Moisture in the sensor its self
or just stroppy PMT electronics..

The failure error will cease if you restart the engine - provided there isn't a failure.
Before you ignore the error messages, step out of the vehicle and see if it's level, and if the message pops up when driving give the steering a little wiggle at a slow speed & see if the car stays level as it normally would.

Again, check the battery voltages as a 1st step.

defo check battery first! major cause of problems and odd errors, then if its anything to do with suspension and you only have the rear air bags id rip it all out and replace with coil spring kit for 200 pounds, end of that problem! ive done it and handles no different and will never cause me a prob again! plus if your compressor and other related parts are fine you can sell em on ebay and nearly pays for the coil kit.