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BMW X5 self level suspension inact

Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW X Power (4x4 BMWs)
Forum Discription: Discuss topics related to 4 wheel drive BMWs (E83 X3, E53 X5, E70 X5)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=48745
Printed Date: 03-May-2024 at 13:40


Topic: BMW X5 self level suspension inact
Posted By: black m6
Subject: BMW X5 self level suspension inact
Date Posted: 30-January-2012 at 17:10

Hi, i have a 2004 BMW X5 30i sport and its been great untill i fitted the detachable tow bar.The cars on board computer now reads SELF LEVEL SUSPENSION INACT.Has anyone got any idea what this could be or do i have to switch anything on.ThanksShocked




Replies:
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 30-January-2012 at 18:39
Did you fit the towbar yourself?  A wiring loom may have been disturbed when removing internal trim to get to towbar mounting points and installing the wiring.
 
What type of wiring loom did you fit/get fitted for the trailer socket?  If it was a genuine BMW towbar harness that was fitted the cars electrical system may recognise the wiring and the fact it is for a trailer and then tell the ECU that it needs re-programming so that the self levelling suspension and other electrical items that work differently when towing (like parking sensors) are aware that there is a trailer hooked on the back.
 
Towbars are heavy things, mine is about 16kg but that shouldn't be enough to alter the level of the car thus making the self levelling suspension try and kick in to level it out.
 
Could of course just be sheer coincidence.
 
Failing that it's off to BMW or a specialist for a diagnostic check.
 
HTH
Andrew


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Posted By: black m6
Date Posted: 30-January-2012 at 19:27

Hi Andrew

There was no problem untill i attached the bmw push in tow bar.It just clicked in and locked and i took out the key.Then i drove for about 5 miles and no warning light but when i turned the engine off and got out i thought i heard a hissing sound.It only lasted for a couple of seconds and then went silent so did not think nothing of it .The next morning i was going to pick a trailer up about a 100 miles away and when i started it the warning came on.I turned the engine off and switched it back on again and the warning did not come on again untill i put the trailer on.All the electrics work fine but i noticed that the car today was down on the near side rear wheel when it was parked up.I opened the boot to check the fuses and heard a pump noise and when i looked at the back n/s wheel it had gone back to its normal self.When i was towing i got the warning on the dash but it towed perfect.

I have had a Range Rover and the air suspension went on that and all my filling fell out it was that bad but this still drives lovely.Thanks


Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 31-January-2012 at 08:41
Ah I see said the blind man, I thought you had just fitted a towbar rather than just popping in the detachable ball.
 
Probably just coincidence then, something has broken or is on its way out in the air supply system.  At that age I would begin to expect failures of such bits.  Probably won't be cheap to fix, get a decent trustworthy garage to look at it.


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Posted By: black m6
Date Posted: 31-January-2012 at 09:54
Hi yes got a really good guy who looks after my cars so will have to drop it into him.Only got serviced last week so gutted.Thanks


Posted By: black m6
Date Posted: 09-February-2012 at 18:09
Hi got my X5 fixed today it was the rear near side suspension air bag.It had a split in the rubber so air was leaking as Andrew said.The price wasnt that bad he charge me £200 so pleased with that.Drives mint now just hope i dont get any other lights on thanks.


Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 09-February-2012 at 18:44
Glad you got it fixed and thanks for letting us know what gave out so we call all know for next time.
 
 


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