1990 BMW 530I TOURING sensor

3
Level Control Systems
Level Control Systems
Purpose of the System
The primary function of Level Control Systems is to maintain the height of the vehicle as
closely as possible to a predetermined level under all load conditions.
This constant level allows the suspension system to maintain the alignment geometry.
Camber and Toe in are minimally affected when the ride height is consistent. In addition,
the headlight range stays consistent throughout the various operating conditions.
The Level Control System is designed to operate in the event of static changes such as
when passengers are entering or exiting the vehicle or quasi-static such as s when the fuel
tank is emptying while driving.
The Level Control System come in various configurations such as hydraulic (hydropneu-
matic) or pneumatic only systems.
Hydropneumatic systems use high pressure hydraulic fluid which is dampened by a gas
cushion from a nitrogen charged accumulator. These system use and electro-hydraulic
pump or an engine driven piston pump. These systems are installed as follows:
Hydropneumatic Level Control System with electro-hydraulic pump- This
type of system is used on the early 5 Series vehicles (E12 and E28), the 6 Series
(E24) and the early 7 Series (E23). This system uses an electric motor, pump and
an expansion tank which is connected by hydraulic lines to the rear spring struts.
The rear spring struts are also connected to a pair of pressure accumulators which
are “Nitrogen Charged”. There is a control switch which mounted on the rear axle
which monitors the position of the stabilizer bar. Changes in ride height are detect-
ed and the system is regulated to maintain the correct level. During prolonged dyna-
mic movements during acceleration and braking, the level control system is disabled
by an acceleration sensor (mercury switch) and brake light input to the hydraulic
control unit.
Hydropneumatic Level Control System with engine driven piston pump- This
system can be found on the 7 Series (E32 and E38) and the 5 Series Touring (E34).
This configuration is similar in operation to the previous system with a few changes.
There hydraulic pressure now comes from an engine driven piston pump. This
pump is mounted in tandem with the power steering (radial type) pump. The pres-
surized fluid is sent to a control valve which distributes the fluid to the rear spring
struts and pressure accumulators. The control valve is attached to the rear sway
bar by a lever, changes in ride height will move the lever which will influence fluid flow
to the spring struts.
The next generation of BMW Level Control Systems evolved into pneumatic only systems
which are referred to as EHC. EHC will be discussed later in this module.

14
Level Control Systems
EHC System Overview
EHC I Single Axle Air Suspension E39/E53
EHC II Dual Axle Air Suspension E53
1. Air Supply Unit
2. Rear Axle Air Bellows
3. Ride Height Sensors
4. Pressure Accumulator/
Valve Unit
5. Front Axle Air Bellows
6. Control Unit

15
Level Control Systems
Single Axle EHC I System Components (E39/E53)
The EHC system consists of the following components:
 EHC Control Module
 Air Springs (2) with Air Reservoirs
 Rear Axle Level Sensors
 Encapsulated Air Supply (LVA)
 Warning Indicator
Control Module
The Control Module is mounted in the module carrier box in the luggage compartment on
the right side. It contains the processing electronics and final stages for operation of the
EHC system.
The control module receives the following inputs for its processing functions:
 KL 30 & 31 (Power/Ground)
 KL 15
 Left & Right Ride Height Sensors
 K Bus for;
- Vehicle speed
- Engine running
- Door/tailgate - open/closed
E39 Features 06
EHC Module (E39)

16
Level Control Systems
The control module incorporates two filters (slow/rapid) for processing the input signals
from the ride height sensors. Depending on the operating mode, either the slow or rapid fil-
ter is used to check the need for a regulating sequence.
The slow filter is used during the normal operation mode to prevent normal suspension trav-
el from causing the system to make adjustments.
The rapid filter is used during the pre-run and tailgate (LID) modes to ensure that the sus-
pension is adjusted quickly while the vehicle is being loaded or checked prior to operation.

17
Level Control Systems
Air Springs
The air spring is made from a flexible rubber material. It
forms an air tight cavity which provides the calculated
spring rate required for the sport wagon.
As the spring compresses downward the bottom edge
of the rubber material rolls along the vertical surface of
the base mount cylinder.
Air is added or removed from the air spring through its
top port. The top port of each spring is connected to a
reservoir and the air supply pipes. The reservoirs are
required to hold additional air due to the compact design
of the springs.
Rear Axle Level Sensors
Hall effect sensors are mounted on the left
and right sides of the rear suspension for
ride height detection. They are pivoted by a
coupling rod through the rear axle swing
arms.
The hall sensors produce a varying voltage
input to the control module as the suspen-
sion height changes.
If the vehicle is equipped with Xenon head-
lights the right side sensor contains an
additional sensor for the automatic head-
light level adjustment system.
Warning Displays
If the system is faulted and off-line or set in the transport mode, the following is displayed:
Basic Cluster:A warning lamp indicator is illuminated used on the basic cluster.
High Cluster: A message is posted in the high cluster matrix display.
E39 Features 07

21
Level Control Systems
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.

22
Level Control Systems
Normal Mode Operation
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 .

23
Level Control Systems
Special Operating Modes
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.
Transport Mode
The vehicle rolls off the factory assembly line with the EHC control module in the trans-
port mode. The transport mode inflates the air springs to a higher position (approx.
30mm higher) than the normal mode in order to avoid damage during transit.
The system will not respond to any inputs that would alter the height of the vehicle. The
fault indicator (base cluster) is illuminated or instrument cluster matrix display (high clus-
ter) provides the message “Leveling System” to draw attention to the transport mode
setting.
The Service Functions section of the diagnosis program is used to activate/deactivate
the transport mode. Once the transport mode is deactivated, check the vehicle Ride
Height Offset making sure the vehicle rear axle height is to specification.
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.