Member
My 2003 525i Sport Touring (2003, 139,000 miles) showed a "Self Leveling Suspension Inact" fault. I do not have a diagnostic computer. The driver's side rear sank down; the fender edge was lowered about 3 inches below the top of the tire. I checked the fuses. Fuse #49 was burned out. I replaced it, the compressor started, the driver's side fender raised to normal height. The error notice went away. I drove the car normally for about 2 weeks.
Yesterday the fault code came back. The rear driver's side sank again. Tested the Fuses, all good. I disconnected the negative battery cable to reset. No change.
When I start the car, I can hear the air rushing to the driver's side air bag. But there is no lift.
Seems like a failed driver's side air bag. I've ordered a replacement.
But why would the fuse have fixed the problem, only for the air bag to fail shortly after? I'm concerned the problem is something else.
Member
Photos of the Driver's side, Passenger side, and from the rear. The parking lot was not completely level.
Driver's Side:
Driver Side Fender.jpg
Passenger Side:
Passenger Side .jpg
Rear .jpg
Member
Bad luck? Sounds like the pump was working hard to compensate for a leak. That could cause the fuse to blow - now the bag is done, so no pumping will compensate for that. If the bag is blown, you need a new one before seeing if there are other issues.
Jbird
The bag is probably blown
Member
I would HIGHLY suggest you put the rear end up on jack stands before doing any work to the system. I disconnected the air lines being getting the car in the air, and it wasn't easy getting the jack under the car and getting it high enough to replace the bags.
'98 M3 5spd - '03 540it 6spd M-Sport
Member
Yes - plus be careful letting it down. It will drop to the stops. Change the bag(s), let it down carefully, and let the pump inflate - don’t try it while it is in the air.
Member
Update for the archives: I replaced the air bags (both sides). This completely solved the problem. Thanks for everyone's advice.
Also replacd the rear shocks and a subframe bushing, front wheel bearings, and all 4 rotors and pads. Car handles like new.
After photo 1.jpg
after photo 2.jpg
King snaper of bolts...
Did you do all 4 subframe bushes or just 1? If so, why just the 1?Originally Posted by Alice Couper
TBH it’d make sense to get all 4 done (well, the other 3 now), unless you mean a different bush?
My car: 2002 E39 540i Sport - Japanese import - the new project!
Member
Dan, only 1 subframe bushing was replaced because the mechanic couldn't extract the other 3. He thinks he can do it with another tool. I offered to rent Jed's extraction tool, but he wanted to try it his way first. If it doesn't work I will get Jed's tool and get it done.
Completely agree with your advice about doing all 4.
Member
the extractor tool makes the job ungodly easy.
'98 M3 5spd - '03 540it 6spd M-Sport
King snaper of bolts...
Fully agree; took me 2 hours to do all 4 on mine, albeit my tourings a Jap import, with zero corrosion and I doused the bushes in WD40 a good few times the week before I took the job on.
The front 2 were torn/split, the rear 2 were fine, but the central collars were loose. That’s after 88k miles from factory, so I think they’ve done a good jobReplced with MeyleHD bushes and they transformed the handing of the rear of the car, no more waywardness
My car: 2002 E39 540i Sport - Japanese import - the new project!
Member
Ride Height Sensor Arm Pointed Inward:
If the sensor was working before you did any suspension work, and the wheel carrier was moved up or down significantly, the ride level sensor arm can flip to point inward, causing the self level inactive error. All you need to do is, take the wheel off, support the wheel carrier with a jack and position it up or down to give the level sensor arm some slack, take the lower 10m nut off with a socket while bracing the inner nut with a 10mm spanner, flip the arm to point outward, and reassemble. Tightening torque is 9NM.
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