BMW X5 E70 / X6 E71 Adaptive Drive and damper fault
X5 E70 Adaptive Drive: what does the system consist of and what does it do?
Each wheel has an electrically adjustable shock absorber, and the front and rear axles have hydraulic roll stabilisers. In normal mode the suspension is soft, and clearly firmer with the Sport button. The stabilisers keep the car level in corners.
X5 E70 Dynamic Damper Control fault: what causes it?
The cause is often the damper's wiring or connector, not the damper itself. The wire breaks easily at the damper mounting point or a connector pin breaks, and the connectors can oxidise from water. Check the wiring and connector before buying a new damper.
Does a new Adaptive Drive damper need coding on the E70?
Yes. A new damper must be coded to the car, otherwise the system complains and fault codes remain. If the fault does not go away with a new damper, the wire may be broken inside the insulation. After the wiring repair and clearing the fault codes, the system worked.
Can a faulty damper control unit be repaired?
No. The damper control unit is cast in resin and cannot be opened. Usually the only thing to repair is the wiring and the connector.