XSeries-forum

Anyone had this come and go (E53 2004 3.0 D Sport Auto).

I was driving along today and "check tail light" and "check brake light" message, came on. Went over a bump and it went off. happened a couple of times. Previously when the has happened I've taken the bulb out cleaned the connector and it's sorted.
Anyway I got to my destination and the warning came on again. I switched off, went and did what I had to do and came out and the SELF LELEVE SUSP INACT error came on but no brake light build message. Decided to drive to my next destination about 20 mins away. Got there switched off, switched on and all fine no errors. Car drives fine and suspension looks/feels ok

Thoughts? Battery problem maybe? Brake light issue has shorted /tripped something (but then reset ????)

Anyone had this come and go before?

I had it happen a lot with my E53 a few years ago. When it tends to randomly come and go, it seems more related to battery issues or possibly even alternator charge issues.  When it stays on permanently when you turn ignitin on, it seems to be the air suspension -in my case, battery was changed and it went away. Then it returned and ultimately traced to alternator which was replaced.  Then it returned after a while on a permanent basis - air suspension replaced bit by bit, mostly under warranty thank goodness.

I would start with the battery as its easiest and cheapest.  Also worth knowing that with E53s its best to turn igniti N to position 2 and let the lights settle- like a computer booting up - before turning engine on - sometimes turning engine on too fast can lead to these random errors.

Thanks, yes Im a great believer it always letting the lights settle on the ignition before starting. Will stick the car on the CTEk conditioner overnight first and take ti from there

Smee

If I start mine too quickly I have had on the odd occasion the Low Oil pressure/level alarm.

To quote a Monty Python sketch " You lucky, lucky B***ard" I dream of just having a check brake light warning  )

I get a brake light warning occasionally lol   

may also be worth checking your battery voltage, pre-start & when running..

If.....when the vehicle is not running, the voltage sinks to 11.5 volts or lower, it can cause all sorts of error messages.

Rule of thumb...
12.3v + when idle
13.5v + when running

if you are not achieving the above, then error messages may well start annoying you.

And I can check that at the charging points under the bonnet, yes?

Yes.

I used to randomly suffer from this.  Turned out my car had a xenon light kit fitted (i never knew).  A bulb went and I discovered them so pulled it all out and fitted normal bulbs.  Suspension warnings gone and lights are fine.

Smee, get into that secret menu and No7 is battery voltage, you can watch it as you drive along

ok, will do

This link here says do not start the car when accessing the menu? You are saying it is ok? Or have I misread it?

http://www.ronstultz.com/knowledge/Docu ... ctions.htm

Smee

One of our X5's used to get the suspension message. I took the fuse out for the pump and put it back in and have never had the message since. The light units need to be removed and all the contacts cleaned to get rid of brake bulb error message.

Just remembered I did have that suspension error once.... not surprised as I nearly had the old girl on two wheels, so no wonder the system was having a hissy fit  >:D

Smee As I didn't know of or read that link, good link btw, I blundered ahead and watched the coolant temperature as I drove along, have had no adverse effects and if you look at test 7 one of the facilities is to observe your current speed and RPM. Can't do that with the engine off. In fact, today, while sitting in heavy traffic (engine running) I just held the r/h button in and it went to test 1, scrolled to 7 and watched the coolant fluctuations. It would appear that once you have unlocked it, it stays unlocked, presumably until you disconnect the battery.