XSeries-forum

Hi guys

I've got a couple of issues at the moment with electricals on my 3.0i Sport (LPG) auto. I can sort some of them, but others are causing me more of a headache.

The easy ones:

1) Constant beep from the parking sensors when on, but when in range of an object, they seem to work fine. I assume this is just a case of finding out which one is playing up and changing it.
2) Scrolling sat nav and menu screen, and the contrast seems off. Funnily enough the tv screen and menu is perfect. I'm guessing this is a knackered sat nav unit (mk3), and will swap for a good unit to confirm before forking out on a replacement. (thanks x555 )

Difficult ones:

3) Radio stopped working a few days ago, no sound from speakers on tv or sat nav. Left button on head unit doesnt switch the radio on. I've checked the fuse (no. 7) but its ok. So i'm guessing this is a problem with the radio unit in the boot?
4) Also just recently, had the dreaded "Self Levelling Suspension Inactive" message appear on the dash. Appears every time I turn the car on, but has absolutely no effect on the drive, feel or handling of the car. In fact, I've even heard the suspension pump working whilst the error warning message has been on. I'm assuming this may be a relay problem, possibly associated with the radio issue?
5) I have, once or twice returned to the car to start it up, only for the first couple of key turns to be fine, i.e. position i = some dash lights on, position ii = all dash lights on, but then when I go to start it, the whole car dies, not just no starting, but everything goes out, all lights on the dash, all lights in the car, even the one on the gear lever surround. Its as if the battery has been disconnected. If I keep trying a few times, key off, key on, etc. the lights all come back on and she starts up fine! Really irritating and dont know what this could be. Starter motor solenoid?

So if anyone has any ideas about any of the issues above, please feel free to help out!

Cheers

Jack

is it a resent instalation of the LPG tank and when did the issuse began.

i have a diesel x and i have experienced the nav unit not working similar to what u said but after puting car to sleep issue was resolved.

aslo on the sel leveling suspension side i have had this message 2 or 3 times noteably when working in the spare tyre area of the boot again issue resolved by locking the car and leaving for an hour or so.

5. no starting sounds like a poor earth connection possibly related to the fitting of lpg tank ?

As with most strange electrical issues on the X, I would disconnect the battery for 20 min then reconnect - lots of strange issues sort themselves out that way in these cars and Range Rovers, with whom the E53 shares a heritage.......

Discontact battery for 20 mins......i had same prob with my radio system all the left hand side Died....re connected after 20 mins all came back working perfect.....

Turning steering wheel lock to lock a few times can extinguish dash lights.........I wont BS folk into believing I know the specific workings or actions behind same.........though I know that if a steering angle sensor is out then lights will still come back.

Thanks for the comments so far guys, here's a quick update on things. I left the car with a friendly mechanic who did some diagnostics for a very reasonable rate. He scanned the car and came up with 42 Faults!!! Luckily most disappeared when he reset them. He reckons someone has spiked the whole system when trying to jump start it, so I'll be pointing an accusing figure at the last bodyshop I took it too!

1) Parking sensors - 2 rear and 1 front are knackered. I'll have to order these and swap em over. Anybody know cheapest place? Ebay I suppose?
2) Sat Nav Unit - definitely knackered. Corrosion on the circuit board inside. Thinking this may also be causing a battery drain by somehow shorting when the car is off. Anyway, does anybody have a Mk3 unit they want to get rid of? Anybody thats recently upgraded to a Mk4?

3) Radio Unit and Speakers - The fuse within the actual radio unit in the boot had blown (probably from the spike), so replaced and all is good.
4) Self Levelling Suspension Inactive - The scan showed that the level sensor on the left side is knackered. So I need a new one of these. Anybody know best place to source?
5) Nothing wrong with starter motor/solenoid, so maybe a problem with ignition switch. But really guessing here. Need to do some more research amd see if it keeps happening now that I've reset a huge number of fault codes.


As usual, all comments welcome. If anybody knows the best place to get the required parts from I'd be very grateful. Also, please inform me of any Mk3 Sat Nav units you know of going cheap.

Cheers

Jack

Don't know if you still need my help mate but you have a pm

Hi Guys

Just a quick update. The "self levelling suspension inactive" problem was indeed caused by the left side ride height sensor being faulty. One new sensor, and a 15 minute job to swap it, and that particular issue is sorted.

x555 - wouldnt mind still swappping the units mate. just to make sure there's nothing else on that line thats faulty. pm ahoy!