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Surprise Surprise 4.8is Self Levelling Problems !!!!

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
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Neil48is
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Surprise Surprise 4.8is Self Levelling Problems !!!!

Post by Neil48is » Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:42 am

Right here goes,had a good luck through the search but can't really find anything definitive. When i bought my 4.8is it had side damage and was sat very low due to being stood for a long time,or so i thought. So we could work on the car i had a friend of mine who has the GT1 raise the car on the air suspension,all four corners came up nicely,the following day the front of the car was back on the floor,the rear stayed at the correct level.

We investigated the front end and found the left air spring to be shot. I replaced both front springs with the Arnott replacements and had my friend recalibrate the system.

We set the car at the 708mm (ish) and all was good,the car drives fine and the air compressor kicks in when getting in the car etc.

This afternoon the SLS inactive light came back on and i have not heard the compressor for a while,the car still drives fine,not harsh or bouncy like some have experienced and the ride height has not altered.

Can anyone help as this situation is terrifying me and i have to have the car ready for a holiday in about 12 days.

Little update today,the car has remained at correct level around 705-710mm,the compressor came on this morning and stayed for around 30 secs. This afternoon the car is still at the correct height however the light on the height control switch has gone out. The Self Levelling warning on the dash is still present.

Any thoughts guys ??
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Raj
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Re: Surprise Surprise 4.8is Self Levelling Problems !!!!

Post by Raj » Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:26 pm

Hmm, my own experience when I first bought mine was the whole thing was completely inactive. It turned out to be the main control module as I too had no lights on the switch. However, even once replaced and with lights on and the X sat at the right height I still also had to have a new compressor, valve and actuator. The air suspension is a nightmare. I would look into the control module first as that would cause there to be no lights on the adjustable switch.

Good luck.
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Neil48is
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Re: Surprise Surprise 4.8is Self Levelling Problems !!!!

Post by Neil48is » Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:15 pm

Just got the car back today from the local Indy. The only thing he found was a faulty front level sensor,funnily enough from the side the car was damaged,he showed me the sensor and there was no resistance on it at all,it just flopped around,i was under the impression that they were supposed to be quite stiff like a servo. Could the sensor be enough to cause these sort of problems ?

Raj
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Re: Surprise Surprise 4.8is Self Levelling Problems !!!!

Post by Raj » Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:50 pm

If it were just the sensor I wouldn't have thought the lights on the adjustable switch would be out, but it could well just be that, as I know the suspension is very unpredictable. Best thing to do is just replace the sensor and hope it is just that as that is one of the more inexpensive suspension items.
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Turks
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Re: Surprise Surprise 4.8is Self Levelling Problems !!!!

Post by Turks » Wed Jun 29, 2011 5:37 am

I have had sensors and Air Bags replaced. It wasn't ever the module for my problems. It started for me in a similar way to yours - after a period of time, the car would drop. This can be because of a slow leak somewhere in the system. It is not noticeable until you leave your car for some time as the car doesn't go to 'sleep' until about 30 mins after being locked so this means the compressor keeps feeding the Suspension until it is in 'sleep'.

My Air Bags eventually gave up and burst, they are a rubber item so will perish and weaken over time. Unfortunately our cars are getting to the age where things are starting to deteriorate.

Hope you get it sorted.


Turks.
Present:
2018 (18) F85 X5M - Donnington Grey

Past:
2014 (14) F10 M5 - Monte Carlo Blue
2004 (54) E53 X5 4.8is - Sapphire Black

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