[cadman50]

I have a 2012 X3 35i with 75000 miles and DHP. No problems with vehicle so far. I had just finished washing the car and started it up. I got this warning message that stated there might be handling and cornering issues. Drive moderately. Consult service. So I drove about 7 miles and stopped to go in to someplace. Came back out and the warning indicator went away. So I figured that moisture must have gotten into the sensor somehow. Then after another 5 miles or so it came back on. But it went off again shortly after and then finally off. So it looks like the sensor must be going bad. Is there a sensor for every wheel or is there just one sensor? Also I can't put it in sport mode when the EDC malfunction warning comes on. Anyone have comments as to what else this may be and what the possible dollar amount to fix it. I need to be able to drive the car for the next week and can't be without wheels. Thanks for your help.

[Tjalle]

My understanding:
-there are no sensors - two way system - on/off.
-in Sport current is on at all four dampers.
-dampers have magnetic fluid - current on means stiffer dampers.
-there are cables to each damper -one is broken/disengaged. BMW then shuts off the whole system (Sport).
-it should be fairly easy to locate fauw lty cable

Don´t wash with high pressure.

There should be no problem - other than Sport/EDC does not activate.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by Tjalle

My understanding:
-there are no sensors - two way system - on/off.
-in Sport current is on at all four dampers.
-dampers have magnetic fluid - current on means stiffer dampers.
-there are cables to each damper -one is broken/disengaged. BMW then shuts off he whole system (Sport).
-it should be fairly easy to locate fauw lty cable

Don´t wash with high pressure.

There should be no problem - other than Sport/EDC does not activate.

Are you sure...

If I recall correctly, DHP has magnetic valves. The magnetic fluid is seen on a system like GM's Magnetic Ride Control.

[Barbera335]

Originally Posted by Polo08816

Are you sure...

If I recall correctly, DHP has magnetic valves. The magnetic fluid is seen on a system like GM's Magnetic Ride Control.

This is correct. There is no magnetic fluid. The system GM uses is far more advanced and adjustable than BMW's system which only has two settings, hard or soft.

[Tjalle]

OK. Still operated on/off by current, which then gives two settings on valves?

Broken/detached wire still plausible.

[cadman50]

OK thanks. I didn't wash using a high pressure. Just a hose and hand wash. So it is my understanding that the car is completely driveable but with the shocks acting like a regular suspension. I'm going over to my local mechanic to see if he can find something. But all those wires re connected to something..probably one of the main computers in the car? Could it be that there is something wrong there?

[Tjalle]

Anything is possibel, but I believe problem happened after washing, and you did not spray the central computer?

Wires to shocks are open to abuse.

You should have normal functions - but Sport/EDC.

[cadman50]

It's been a day and a half and the malfunction warning has remained off. So I'm able to put it in Sport/Sport+ modes. I'm starting to think moisture got in somewhere and it's dry now. But maybe it could be a loose wire. I've got an appt to see my local mechanic and see what he can find.

[02420X3]

I have just started getting this error message. I've got a dealer visit scheduled for tomorrow. Did you ever find anything?

[Tjalle]

I believe we all, in the end, agreed that this is, hopefully , a contact issue.

[cadman50]

It hasn't come on since then so I'm hoping that is the end of it for now.

[Tjalle]

There is a discussion on X1 forum about damper control - it seems that on our X3/X4 there are sensors which monitor vehicle environment and adjusts internal valves accordingly - still with two settings: soft and hard.

[greg2step]

i had this on my 2011 35i like 2 years ago - BMW service center took a day to diagnose then replaced a sensor. i can look up the specifics if it helps.

[02420X3]

I meant to add an update last week. After checking faults, and spending several hours checking wiring and sensors, the dealer performed the EDC startup function, and initialized the EDC Control Unit. The fault has cleared, and has not returned.

If it does return, the dealer is recommending updating the vehicle and EDC Control Unit to the latest available software, and potentially replacing the EDC control unit.

[dcaron9999]

Just purchased a pre owned 2011 x3 35i, and onenof the first things I did is spent some quality time under the vehcile, and sprayed quality anti corrosion water repelling grease on every electrical connector, junction, EDC wires, level sensor arms I could find. I also sprayed bushings to remove some squeaking Ive heard over bumps at slow speeds. I also sprayed inner and outer axle rubber boots with rubber protective spray.

This is a routine I do on every pre owned BMW Ive acquired. I figure thhis 15 minutes procedure cant hurt and may extend the trouble free experience of these wonderful vehicles...

Gotta love the EDC suspension. The stiffer setting tranforms the X3's personality into a sharp handling 3 series sedan. Then back to normal mode for long journeys and plush highway cruising...

[Sephanite]

I just bought a pre owned 2014 x3. What signs indicate that it has edc other than the stiffer ride? Any visible wire etc?

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by Sephanite

I just bought a pre owned 2014 x3. What signs indicate that it has edc other than the stiffer ride? Any visible wire etc?

Congrats on your purchase.

If you have EDC, your dampers (shock absorbers) will have a wire going into them.