1990 BMW 530I TOURING ground clearance

27
Level Control Systems
Two Axle Air Suspension (E53 EHC II)
Purpose of the System
The two axle air suspension system (EHC2) offers advantages over the single-axle air sus-
pension with respect to ride comfort and off-road capability.
Lowering the entire body makes it easier to enter, exit, load and unload the vehicle.
The vehicle's off-road capability was improved by providing the possibility for increasing the
ground clearance of the body.
The driver can now choose between three different ride levels which can be set with a rock-
er switch, as required. Automatic ride-height control for payload compensation and
automatic inclination compensation continue to be fitted.
D De
ef
fi
ic
ci
it
ts
s
o
of
f
t
th
he
e
o
ol
ld
d
s
sy
ys
st
te
em
m
The automatic payload compensation facility for the single-axle air suspension did not per-
mit driver control. The driver could not actively control the system to make it easier to enter
and exit or load the vehicle.
Ride level was compensated via the rear axle only.
A Ad
dv
va
an
nt
ta
ag
ge
es
s
o
of
f
t
th
he
e
n
ne
ew
w
s
sy
ys
st
te
em
m
The new system allows the ride-height control system to be controlled actively by the dri-
ver.
The twin axle air suspension allows both axles to be lowered evenly and in parallel.
As a result, it is easier for the occupants to enter, exit, load and unload the vehicle.
On the E39, the load of the complete rear axle was born for the first time by air suspension
in combination with the optional ride height control system. The system was controlled
automatically under all operation conditions, and there was no possibility for driver inter-
vention on the X5, the rear axle previously had single axle air suspension only. The air sup-
ply unit and the control unit were adopted from the E39. The air springs were adapted to
the X5.
There is a standard version and a sports version.
The ride-height control system (EHC) was supplied as standard in combination with the
M62 engine and is available as an optional extra in combination with the M54 engine.
EHC2 is optional on both the M62 and M54 versions of the X5 and not available on the
4.6is X5.

35
Level Control Systems
Principle of Operation
Ride Height Control Operations
In addition to the automatic ride-height control system for payload compensation, the dri-
ver can set three different vehicle ride heights.
 Off-road (+25 mm), high ground clearance to a max. speed of 50 km/h
 Standard (0 mm), normal ride level
 Access (-35 mm), for entry and exit, loading and unloading to a max. speed of 35 km/h
or can be activated in Standard mode at road speeds < 25 km/h
The various heights are selected by scroll rocker. Light emitting diodes indicate the present
ride height setting.
Ride height can be adjusted from terminal 15 and with the doors closed. The hood and tail-
gate may be open.
The system also controls inclination automatically, like the single axle air suspension.
All control operations are executed without stopping at intermediate levels. The vehicle is
configured pneumatically in such a way that the front and rear axles can be lowered in par-
allel in any load situation. Depending on the load situation, either the front axle or the rear
axle is slightly quicker. On account of the different control speeds, a difference in height
between the two axles is possible during all control operations. If a max. permissible thresh-
old is exceeded, the quicker axle is stopped briefly.
The various levels can be preselected while travelling. Changeover between ride levels is
effected at the speed threshold values defined in the control unit. The control unit monitors
the change-over.
As soon as the driver sets a new target ride level by pressing a button or when a change-
over is initiated automatically by a specific driving condition, the LED for the current ride
level remains lit and the LED for the target ride level begins to flash.
When the new level is reached, the LED for the previous level goes out and the LED for the
new level reached stays lit permanently.

46
Level Control Systems
Ride Height Sensor
There are two ride height sensors, one for each rear wheel. The ride height sensor is actu-
ated by a coupling rod and sends a signal to the EHC control unit.
The sensor is a hall sensor which sends a DC Analog output voltage to the EHC module.
The voltage range is approximately .5 to 4.5 volts. The voltage increases with increasing
vehicle height and the nominal voltage at normal ride height is approximately 2.5 volts. The
right side rear sensor is a double sensor, the additional sensor is an input to the headlight
leveling systemand has it’s own power supply, ground and signal wires.
Check Control Messages
Control
UnitCauseVariable
Telltale IconCheck Control
MessageInformation in Control Display
EHC
Alive failure or
loss of function-
ality; transport
or belt mode setLevel Control
System failure“Level Control system failure”
Ground clearance and driving
comfort reduced. Avoid high
speed cornering. Have
checked by BMW Service as
soon as possible.
EHC
Level Control
System sensor
failure.Level Control
System Fault“Level Control System fault”
Possible reduction in driving
comfort. Have problem
checked by BMW Service.

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.

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”.