suspension BMW X5 2002 E53 Level Control System Manual

37
Level Control Systems
In addition to the LED indicator, the following text messages can
be displayed in the instrument cluster:
T TR
RA
AI
IL
LE
ER
R
M
MO
OD
DE
E
A coupled trailer is identified via the trailer connector. To avoid damaging the trailer and
the vehicle, changes of vehicle level are generally avoided. The standard level is "frozen."
If the trailer is coupled at a level other than the Standard level, the vehicle ride level is
not changed to Standard unless a button is pressed or the speed threshold for auto-
matic change-over is reached. The standard level is then "frozen" until the trailer con-
nector is disconnected.
R RI
ID
DE
E
H
HE
EI
IG
GH
HT
T
C
CO
ON
NT
TR
RO
OL
L
I
IN
NA
AC
CT
TI
IV
VE
E
Faults in the system and on the control unit which are only identified by the instrument
cluster, e.g. control unit disconnected
R RI
ID
DE
E
H
HE
EI
IG
GH
HT
T
C
CO
ON
NT
TR
RO
OL
L
I
IN
NA
AC
CT
TI
IV
VE
E
+
+
M
MA
AX
X.
.
6
60
0
k
km
m/
/h
h
For safety-critical faults (vehicle is too high or at inclination)
Control Modes
Sleep mode
If the vehicle is parked, it enters Sleep mode after 16 minutes. No further control opera-
tions are executed. A "watch dog" wakes up the control unit for a few minutes every 6
hours (wakeup mode) in order to compensate for possible inclination of the vehicle. (Vehicle
height may only be corrected once as air supply unit only operates with engine running.)
Wake-up
In wake-up mode, the control unit is woken up for a set period of time in order to com-
pensate for possible inclination of the vehicle. Inclination of the vehicle can be caused by
large temperature differences or by minor leaks. Adjustments to the front and rear axles
ensure that the vehicle is visually level. To minimize power consumption, the vehicle is low-
ered only. The nominal level of the lowest wheel serves as the nominal level for all other
wheels. The lowest nominal level to which the vehicle is lowered is the Access level (-35
mm).
Exception:if the vehicle is parked at Access level, the vehicle is lowered to max. -50 mm
in wake-up mode. If the vehicle is parked for a prolonged period of time and there is a leak
in the system, further loss of pressure does not produce a change of ride level since the
weight of the body is born by the auxiliary suspension and the residual tire pressure.
Advance /Overrun
When the vehicle is woken out of sleep mode by the load-cutout signal (VA), it normally
enters advance / overrun mode. Since the engine is not (no longer) running in this mode,
however, there are restrictions on the control operations that can be performed in order to
conserve the battery. Ride level compensation is restricted to tolerance ranges of 20 mm
and 25 mm in the up and down directions respectively. This serves to reduce the frequen-
cy of control operations.

40
Level Control Systems
If the fabric of the bellows is visible, then the bellows must be replaced.
Upon completion of repair work, the air suspension system of the vehicle raised on the
workshop platform must be refilled with air via the diagnostics. The activation procedures
must also be repeated 6 times. This prevents the bellows from being folded incorrectly.
The vehicle must with be set down on its wheels when the suspension struts are depres-
surized!
Important Workshop Hint
S Si
im
mi
il
la
ar
rl
ly
y,
,
a
a
d
de
ef
fe
ec
ct
ti
iv
ve
e
v
ve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e
w
wi
it
th
h
l
le
ea
ak
ky
y
p
pn
ne
eu
um
ma
at
ti
ic
c
s
sy
ys
st
te
em
m
m
mu
us
st
t
n
no
ot
t
b
be
e
r
ra
ai
is
se
ed
d
o
on
n
t
th
he
e
w
wo
or
rk
k-
-
s sh
ho
op
p
p
pl
la
at
tf
fo
or
rm
m.
.
I
If
f
d
de
ep
pr
re
es
ss
su
ur
ri
iz
ze
ed
d,
,
t
th
he
e
b
be
el
ll
lo
ow
ws
s
w
wo
ou
ul
ld
d
c
co
on
nt
tr
ra
ac
ct
t
u
un
nd
de
er
r
s
su
uc
ct
ti
io
on
n
f
fo
or
rm
mi
in
ng
g
i
in
nc
co
or
rr
re
ec
ct
t
f fo
ol
ld
ds
s.
.
T
Th
he
es
se
e
f
fo
ol
ld
ds
s
c
co
ou
ul
ld
d
r
re
es
su
ul
lt
t
i
in
n
m
ma
al
lf
fu
un
nc
ct
ti
io
on
ns
s
l
la
at
te
er
r
o
on
n.
.
Areas on the air bellows which can possibly become leaky are the O-ring at the piston rod
and the seal carrier on the roll piston.
The connectors attached to all cables are identical to the connections on the single-axle air
suspension. 6 mm cable is used. The tightening torque is 3+
1 Nm throughout the system.
Special care must be taken when handling breakage-prone plastic parts of air suspension
elements.
Upon completion of repair work, Belt mode must be deactivated via the diagnostics. The
function LED on the button comes on. No text message appears in the instrument cluster.
The system is OK and ready for operation.

41
Level Control Systems
Single Axle Air Suspension (E65/E66)
Purpose of the System
The single axle air suspension system used on the the E65/E66 is a further enhancement
of the previous single axle air suspension system used on the the E39 and X5. The com-
ponents used are similar to the Single Axle EHC System on the E53. The E65/E66 Air sus-
pension consists of the following components:
 Air Supply System (LVA)
 Control Unit (EHC)
 Two Air Springs
 Two Ride Height Sensors
 CC Display/Telltale Icon

44
Level Control Systems
Control Unit
The EHC control module is located in the right rear luggage compartment area in the mod-
ule carrier next to the battery. On the E65/E66, the control module is connected to the K-
CAN S. The EHC control module receives the following information:
 Vehicle Ride Height
 Load Cutout Signal
 Terminal 15 ON/OFF
 Vehicle Speed
 Lateral Acceleration
 “Engine Running” Signal
 Flap Status (Doors/Trunk)
The Control unit decides on a case by
case basis whether a control opera-
tion is required in order to compen-
sate changes in load. It prevents
intervention in the case of other caus-
es. This makes it possible to adapt
the frequency, specified height, toler-
ance thresholds and battery load opti-
mally by means of the control opera-
tion to the relevant situation.
In addition to handling the self levelling
suspension, the control module moni-
tors the system components as well
as storing a displaying faults. The
control module has full diagnostic
capability.
The EHC module is a 26 pin module
with an ELO type connector. The
module is connected to the K CAN S.
The majority of the input messages
are from the K CAN S Bus.
EHC Module Location

45
Level Control Systems
Air Springs
An identifying feature of the E65/E66 air spring is the internally guided air bellows. Internally
guided means that the bellows is guided in an aluminum casing. The bellows is support-
ed on this casing. This prevents the compression forces from weighing heavily on the bel-
lows.
This process allows the bellows to be manufactured from a thin, flexible diaphragm which
can react to minimal shocks and in this way provide a more comfortable suspension.
The diaphragm is composed of only one fabric layer embedded in rubber. The fibers with-
in the fabric run longitudinally along the spring strut. The bellows is therefore known as an
axial air bellows.
The bottom end of the air spring strut is enclosed
in a bellows in order to protect the diaphragm
against the mechanical effects of fouling (sand, dirt
etc.). The lower end of the bellows incorporates
small holes for pressure compensation in the
space between the roll piston and bellows. The
action of the bellows rolling in this space produces
pressure differences.
The bellows together with the roll piston contains
a volume of air that is sufficient for optimum sus-
pension.
A residual pressure holding valve on the air spring
strut prevents it from being depressurized. The air
spring strut remains under pressure in the event of
a loss of pressure in the system. The residual
pressure is 3.25 +/- 0.75 bar. This ensures that
the bellows is not damaged when the car is still
being moved.
The residual pressure holding valve is secured with
Loctite and must NOTbe removed.
The air spring strut is initially filled at the manufac-
turer to 10 bar. This pressure is reduced to 3.5 bar
when the spring strut is to be stored. Under this
pressure, the strut is extended to maximum
length.
The connection of the air spring struts to the air
supply unit (distributor block) is located on the left
of the luggage compartment under the flap on
which the wheel nut wrench is mounted.

47
Level Control Systems
Control Mode Flow Chart
The following chart demonstrates the control sequences of the E65/E66 with single axle
rear air suspension.
Sleep
Post
Curve
Lift
Drive
Normal
Pre
Kerb

49
Level Control Systems
Post Mode
The Post-mode is adopted in order to compensate any inclination or to adjust the ride
height after driving and between the Pre-mode and Sleep mode.
The Post-mode is limited in time to 1 minute. The Post-mode is only executed if the engine
has been running before the system switches into this mode. If the engine has not been
previously running, the system switches directly from Pre-mode into Sleep mode.
The control operation is performed in a narrow tolerance band of +/- 6mm and is terminat-
ed at +/- 4mm. The fast signal filter is used.
In the event of an inclination (Kerb Mode), the control operation takes place for the nominal
heights applicable in this situation.
Pre-Mode
The Pre-mode is activated by the “Load Cutoff” signal (e.g. by opening the door or unlock-
ing with the remote control). The Pre-mode then stays set for 16 minutes and is restarted
with a change in status.
The ride height of the vehicle is monitored and evaluated with a wide tolerance band.
In Pre-mode, the vehicle is only controlled un to the nominal height if the level is significantly
below the nominal height. The control tolerance band is -40mm from the mean value for
the single axle air suspension and -20mm for the dual axle system. This control tolerance
ensures that the vehicle is only controlled up in the case of large loads in order to increase
the ground clearance prior to departure. Small loads give rise to small compression travel
and this is compensated only when the engine is started. This control setting helps reduce
the battery load.
With the single axle air suspension, the vehicle is controlled down when the mean value
derived from both ride height signals is > 0mm and one side is in excess of +10mm. With
twin axle air suspension, the vehicle is controlled down when one side is >15mm.
In this mode, only the mean value of the two height signals is considered when deciding
whether there is an need for control operation.
The control operation is executed as long as pressure is available in the accumulator. When
the accumulator is empty and the engine is turned off, the control operation is driven direct-
ly by the compressor. User-activated changes of ride level and filling of the accumulator are
not possible.
Control operations which were started in other modes are continued with the inner toler-
ance bands applicable to these modes.
There is no inclination identification in Pre-mode.

50
Level Control Systems
Normal
The normal mode is the starting point for the vehicle’s normal operating state. It is obtained
by way of the engine running signal.
Ride level compensation, changing the vehicle’s ride height and filling the accumulator are
possible. The compressor starts up as required.
A narrower tolerance band than that in Pre-mode cab be used because the battery capac-
ity does not have to be protected. The fast filter is used with a narrow tolerance band of
+/- 10mm. In this way, ride level compensation takes place outside a narrow band of 10+/-
10mm. The faster filter allows the system to respond immediately to changes in ride level.
Evaluation and control are performed separately for each wheel.
When a speed signal is recognized, the control unit switches into Drive mode. When the
vehicle is stopped, the control unit remains in Drive mode. The system switches back into
Normal mode when a door or the boot (trunk) lid is also opened. If none of the doors or
the boot lid is opened, the vehicle cannot be loaded or unloaded.
This prevents a control operation happening when the vehicle (for example) is stopped at
traffic lights and the ride height is above the mean axle due to the pitching motion on the
rear axle.
Drive
The Drive mode is activated for E39/E53 single axle air suspension when a speed signal of
>4km/h is recognized. The Drive mode is recognized from >1km/h for the E65/E66 single
axle air suspension and for the E53 twin-axle air suspension system.
Low pass filters are used. In this way, only changes in ride height over a prolonged period
of time (1000 seconds) are corrected. These are merely the changes in ride height, caused
by vehicle compression and a reduction in vehicle mass due to fuel consumption. The high
pass (fast) filter is used during the control operation. The slow filters are recognized at the
end of the control operation. The slow filters are re-initialized at the end of the control oper-
ation. The markedly dynamic height signals caused by uneven road surfaces are filtered
out.

51
Level Control Systems
Kerb (Curb) Mode
The Kerb mode prevents the inclination caused by the vehicle mounting an obstacle with
ine wheel from being compensated. Compensation would cause a renewed inclination of
the vehicle and result in a renewed control operation after the vehicle comes off the obsta-
cle.
The Kerb Mode is activated when the height difference between the left and right sides of
the vehicle is > 32mm for the E65/E66 with single axle air suspension and >24mm for the
E39/E53 with single axle air suspension and lasts longer than 0.9s. Twisting (also over both
axles) > 45mm must occur for the E53 with twin axle air suspension.
There must be no speed signal present. The system switches from single wheel control to
axle control.
The Kerb mode is quit when the difference between the left and right sides of the vehicle is
< 28mm for the single axle air suspension and lasts longer than 0.9s when the speed is
greater than > 1km/h.
If the system switches from Kerb mode to Sleep mode, this status is stored in the
EEPROM.
If the vehicle is loaded or unloaded in Kerb mode, the mean value of the axle is calculated
by the control unit. The value is calculated in the control unit from the changes in ride level
of the spring travel on the left and right sides.
A change in ride level is initiated if the mean value of compression or rebound at the axle is
outside the tolerance band of +/- 10mm. The left and right sides of the vehicle are raised
or lowered in parallel. The height difference between the two sides is maintained.
Curve
Since rolling motions have a direct impact on the measured ride level, an unwanted control
operation would be initiated during longer instances of cornering with an appropriate roll
angle in spite of the slow filtering of the Drive mode. The control operations during corner-
ing would cause displacement of the air volume from the outer side to the inner side of the
curve. Once the curve is completed, this would produce an inclination which would result
in a further control operation. The Curve mode prevents this control operation whereby
when cornering is recognized slow filtering is stopped and a potential control operation that
has started is terminated.
The Curve mode is activated for the E65/E66 single axle EHC and for the E53 twin axle
suspension for a lateral acceleration of > 2m/s
2and deactivated at < 1.5 m/s2.
The lateral acceleration is recorded by the rotation rate sensor.

52
Level Control Systems
Lift
The Lift mode is used to prevent control operations when a wheel is changed or during
work on the vehicle while it is on a lifting platform.
This mode is recognized when the permitted rebound travel at one or more wheels is
exceeded. For the E65/E66 the limit is > 55mm.
A “jack” situation is also recognized when the ride level is stored and the lowering speed
drops below the value of 2 mm/s for 3 seconds.
If the vehicle has been raised slightly and the permitted rebound travel has not yet been
achieved, the control operation attempts to readjust the ride height. If the vehicle is not low-
ered, a car jack situation is recognized after a specific period of time and this ride height is
stored.
A reset is performed if the vehicle is again 10 mm below this stored ride height.
Transport
The Transport mode is set and cleared by means of a diagnosis activation. It serves to
increase the ground clearance in order to ensure a safe transportation of vehicles on trans-
porter trucks. The nominal height of the vehicle is raised in this mode by 30 mm.
When the Transport mode is activated, the air suspension symbol is indicated in the vari-
able telltale in the instrument cluster and a text message is output in the Check Control
Display.
Control operations do not take place in this mode because the vehicle mass does not
change during transportation.
Belt
The Belt mode is set for mounting on the belt in order to avoid control operations.
When the Belt mode is activated, the air suspension symbol is indicated in the variable tell-
tale in the instrument cluster and a text message is output in the Check Control display.
The Belt mode is cleared by means of a diagnostic activation only. The Belt mode can no
longer be set.
New control units are supplied with the Belt mode set.
Control operations are not performed, the safety concept only operates with limited effect.
The Belt Mode is also known as “Band Mode” or “Assembly Line Mode”.