BMW X5 2004 E53 Service Manual
Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2004, Model line: X5, Model: BMW X5 2004 E53Pages: 52, PDF Size: 3.07 MB
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EHC System Operation
A  fully  functional  EHC  system  is  controlled  by  one  of  three  different  modes  of  operation.
The operation mode is selected by the control module based on current conditions provid-
ed by the monitored input signals.  The main modes of operation are:  
• Pre-Run/Post-Run Mode
 Normal Mode
 Tailgate Mode
Two special operating modes are also included in the control module programming. 
 New/replacement mode(pre ZCS encoded). This mode provides basic operation.
 Transport Mode - Transport mode is set at the factory and raises the vehicle 30mm to
prevent  vehicle  damage  during  transportation.    It  must  be  deactivated  with  the  DIS/
MoDiC prior to customer delivery. 
Pre-Run/Post-Run Mode
The Pre-Run mode is activated when the vehicle is parked and the control module is in the
sleep mode. Opening a door or the tailgate initiates a system wake up and the control mod-
ule comes on-line. 
The control module performs a self-check of the control electronics and sensors. If no fault
is  found,  the  system  will  check  the  ride  height  and  institute  a  rapid  regulation  if  the  height
varies by more than 40mm. 
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Normal Operation Mode
Once the rear lid is closed, KL 15  switched ON and the engine started, the system switch-
es into the normal operation mode. In the normal mode, the control module will constantly
monitor  the  input  signals  from  the  ride  height  sensors  and  will  activate  a  correction  if  the
ride height deviates by at least 10mm.
Tailgate Operating Mode
The  tailgate  operating  mode  is  activated  if  the  gate  is  opened  with  KL  -  15  On  and  the
engine  running.  The  difference  between  this  mode  and  the  normal  operating  mode  is  the
response time is rapid instead of slow . 
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Special Operation Mode
• Assembly Line Mode (New control module)
The assembly line mode refers to control module manufacturing.  New control modules
are stored in a deactivated state. The control programming is not active and must first
be ZCS encoded.  
After installing a replacement control module, it must be coded using the DIS or MoDiC.
The  instrument  cluster  fault  display  will  remain  illuminated  until  the  control  module  is
coded.
Control Interrupts
Cornering
To  prevent  unnecessary  suspension  adjustments  while  driving  through  corners,  a  “control
interrupt” is built into the system. Above 30MPH the control module monitors the left/right
ride height sensors for a difference of 30mm. Exceeding this difference will put the system
into  a  control  interrupt  and  no  adjustment  will  take  place.    The  control  interrupt  last  for  a
duration of 5 minutes.
Vehicle Lifting
The ride height control is interrupted when the vehicle is raised on a lift or with a jack. The
system  monitors  the  ride  height  sensor  inputs  and  when  the  height  limit  of  90  mm  is
exceeded, the control is switched OFF until the vehicle is lowered again. 
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EHC Service Information
Diagnosis / Coding
• The  EHC  control  module  is  connected  to  the  diagnostic  link.  The  EHC  control  module
activates the fault display in the instrument cluster to alert the operator of the off-line sta-
tus  of  the  system.    The  EHC  control  module  stores  up  to  three  electrical/electronic
faults.
• Diagnosis/troubleshooting of EHC is carried out using the fault symptom troubleshoot-
ing program of the MoDiC or DIS. The EHC system has an extensive diagnosis program.
• Replacement  control  modules  are  shipped  in  the  factory  mode.  The  control  modules
must be ZCS encoded using the DIS or MoDiC to activate the operating parameters. 
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DIS/Modic Service Funnction Program
The  Service  Functions  program  of  the  DIS/MoDiC  provides  the  Transport  Mode  activa-
tion/deactivation and Ride Height Offset functions (see next page).
Once  the  transport  mode  has  been  released,  or  if  the  system  requires  left  to  right  side
height adjustment, the  ride height "OFFSET" must be carried out to ensure that the vehi-
cles suspension has a base ride height level starting point. 
The "HEIGHT OFFSET" is adjusted using the DIS or MoDiC. The procedure is as follows:
• Place the vehicle on a level surface unloaded.
• Access the Height Offset program in the service function menu.
• Measure the base ride height from the lower edge of the wheel housing to the center of
the wheel hub.
• Check measured height against the specifications listed
• Use the DIS/MoDiC to correct the ride height if the value differs from the listed specifi-
cation. 
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Steering
The X5 utilizes a power assisted rack and pinion steering system due to all wheel drive con-
siderations. The power steering pump is a vane cell design. 
The turning radius of the X5 is 12.2 meters.
The steering column is electrically adjustable for length and height that includes the mem-
ory function incorporated into the seat/mirror memory system.
32530006
Steering Column 
Electrically Adjustable 
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Brakes
The  X5  brake  system  is  the  dual  circuit  (black/white)  division  with  Electronic  Brake  Force
distribution (EBV) through DSC control. The system is similar to the E38 with:
• Vacuum booster with tube jet amplifier
• Tandem master cylinder with two central valves for DSC operation
• Brake fluid reservoir with reed contact
• Vented front rotors/Solid rear
• Single piston calipers
• DSC hydraulic unit with integrated control 
module
• Pre-load pump for DSC operation
Front Brakes
Brake Rotor - 332mm diameter - 30 mm thick
Caliper - single piston 60mm diameter
Pads - asbestos free
Rear Brakes
Brake Rotor - 324mm diameter - 12mm thick
Caliper - single piston 42mm diameter
34530000
34530001 
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Wheels and Tires
Light  alloy  wheels  are  standard  equipment  on  the  X5.
The wheels sizes include:
3 Liter version
• Standard Wheel - 7.5J x17 SEH2
•  Standard  Tires  -  235/65R  -  17  H  rated  all  season
Front  and Rear
4.4 Liter version standard suspension
• Standard Wheel -  8.5J x 18 EH2
• Standard  Tires  -  255/55R  -  18  H  rated  all  season
Front and Rear
4.4 Liter version sports suspension
• Standard Wheels -  9J x 19 EH2 FRONT
10J x 19 EH2 REAR
•   Standard  Tires  -  255/50R  -19  Front/285/45R  -  19
Rear  V rated
The X5 uses a two piece lug bolt that  incorporates a spacer wash-
er and  features anti-corrosion coating. The tightening torque on the
lug  bolts  is  130Nm  +/-  10Nm.  Advantages  of  using  the  spacer
washer include:
• Longer expansion length for the bolt.
• A better fit to the wheel
• The spacer washer is fixed to the wheel when tightening and 
the lug bolt turns relative to it. 
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Fuel System Supply
The  fuel  tank  is  constructed  from  molded  plastic  and  is  mounted  under  the  rear  seat  and
extends along the left side of the vehicle.  It is the saddle tank design with a siphon jet pump
in the right side to transfer fuel to the left side where the fuel pump is mounted.
The  fuel  filter/pressure  regulator  is
mounted in front of the tank along with
the charcoal canister. The components
are covered by a plastic plate to protect
them when driving off-road.
The  liquid/vapor  separator  is  mounted
on  the  right  side  up  in  the  wheel  arch
opening next to the filler neck. 
The  Leak  Diagnosis  Pump  (LDP)  is
mounted in the left rear side wheel arch
opening  behind  the  wheel  housing
cover.  Operation of the LDP will be cov-
ered  in  the  engine  electronic  section  of
this program.
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Exhaust System
The  exhaust  system  of  the  X5  is  made  from  stainless  steel  and  consists  of  three  main
pieces after the exhaust manifolds. The front section consists of two monolith catalytic con-
verters  with  pre  and  post-oxygen  sensors.  The  two  converters  converge  into  one  center
muffler on the right side of the vehicle. 
The two rear sections consists of the tail pipes and main mufflers that are mounted at the
rear of the vehicle.
The front and rear exhaust components are bolted together with spring bolts
M54 Exhaust
M62 Exhaust
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