Airbag light on after swapping to e46 seats

Double Zero · Post by **Double Zero** » Sat Sep 07, 2019 2:09 pm

Hi all,

Hope you are all having a good weekend.

I've swapped the seats out for a set of e46 seats, I now have the airbag light stuck on, I swapped the seatbelt pre tensioner on the passenger seat but still the light is on.

I have a C110 scanner but it is not picking up any fault codes for the airbag, does it need recoding after seat swap.

Any ideas I don't want to go back to the old seats.

Thanks

IRD · Post by **IRD** » Sat Sep 07, 2019 2:57 pm

This often happens when you change seats. It happened when I put some sports seats in my E 85. You can buy by pass devices on EBay quite cheaply. I had an auto technician do mine and he assured me that the airbag would still work in the event of an accident. Fortunately I never had to test it out! I am sure there are a few guys on here who will be able to help you.

Deadpool · Post by **Deadpool** » Sat Sep 07, 2019 6:35 pm

I had the same issue on installing e46 seats into the zed. You'll need to swap the pre tensioner on both seats with your old ones and then clear errors.

I'd be happy to help clear the codes using DIS. I'll be passing by Milton Keynes on the 20th and 22nd this month.

Double Zero · Post by **Double Zero** » Sat Sep 07, 2019 7:45 pm

Deadpool thanks for the info, job for tomorrow swap over the other pre tensioner, I thought it was just the passenger side that was affected.

I might take you up on your offer if I can't clear the codes by then.

davros · Post by **davros** » Sat Sep 07, 2019 9:48 pm

Hi Double Zero, did you also swap over the passenger seat occupancy plug from your old Z4 Seats? I think the occupancy plug from the E46 seats can also throw an airbag warning light.

Double Zero · Post by **Double Zero** » Sun Sep 08, 2019 10:04 pm

Thanks Davros

I used the occupancy sensor from the e46 I didn't think the occupancy sensor was removeable from Z4 seats, I swapped over the seat belt pre tensioners and still getting the airbag light.

CrazyBaptie · Post by **CrazyBaptie** » Sun Sep 08, 2019 10:36 pm

It will probably the pretensioners - I forgot to change mine and now I dont have the original seats!

davros · Post by **davros** » Sun Sep 08, 2019 10:50 pm

Double Zero wrote: ↑Sun Sep 08, 2019 10:04 pm Thanks Davros

I used the occupancy sensor from the e46 I didn't think the occupancy sensor was removeable from Z4 seats, I swapped over the seat belt pre tensioners and still getting the airbag light.

Yep, the Z4 occupancy is removable. You need to turn the sensor a 1/4 turn and it then unclips from under the seat. It then plugs into the wires from the E46 seat. I had to swap the pre-tensioner’s and occupancy before I finally cleared the airbag light when I installed E46 seats.

Deadpool · Post by **Deadpool** » Sun Sep 08, 2019 11:00 pm

Double Zero wrote: ↑Sun Sep 08, 2019 10:04 pm Thanks Davros

I used the occupancy sensor from the e46 I didn't think the occupancy sensor was removeable from Z4 seats, I swapped over the seat belt pre tensioners and still getting the airbag light.

Is the light still present after clearing errors? The airbag light won't switch off until errors are cleared from memory.

Double Zero · Post by **Double Zero** » Mon Sep 09, 2019 7:33 pm

Thanks for all your help, I've cleared all codes,

Im getting a 9893 seat occupancy detection, passenger open circuit error

Do I need to get a bypass from ebay to sort this, I'm using the occupancy sensor from the Z4 seat with seatbelt pretensions from Z4 seats on both the e46 seats.

Double Zero · Post by **Double Zero** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 5:23 pm

I got a bypass and goodbye airbag light

Thanks for all the help

moffy · Post by **moffy** » Sun Dec 19, 2021 10:05 pm

Hello Guys, Can someone please help me. I brought them seats(E46). Invest money plus so much time to bring them back to glory. Fit them in on my car and now Airbag lights is on. I remove the seats again and place my old seats. Light off. Swap over, light on again. Then I notice hanging wire side of the passenger seats rip off(cut off)from the tensioner side. Can’t see the point where it’s cut from but this wire deffo goes to tensioner side. I check it with my old seats. My neighbours told me someone must be using bypass there reason it’s cut but he’s not Machnic.

Seem like that’s the issue tho.

Electric working fine so as heating function.
Does anyone know why the wire is cut open or someone using it as a bypass?
Appreciate any help. Was a long time dream to use them seats and now this happened.

Thank you.

Beedub · Post by **Beedub** » Mon Dec 20, 2021 12:08 am

Great thread .... OP Does the e46 seats bolt directly in or did you need to mod the mounting points ??

moffy · Post by **moffy** » Mon Dec 20, 2021 12:17 am

Hey Beedub, it’s directly mount in. Plug&play. I have just find out the broken wire is for heated backrest. Ano bottom bit of the heated seat is working but never check the back part.
Thanks

AaronMaguire · Post by **AaronMaguire** » Fri Oct 20, 2023 4:57 am

Hi,
Just bought a pair of E46 manual M Sport seats for my E85 (electric/heated seats).
The wrecker still needs to remove them from the wrecked car but my mechanic just said I need to make sure the seat has a plug to ensure the airbag light can be cleared and will still operate in an accident.
I've heard that the bypass option doesn't enable the airbag.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me.
Do Manual seats have a plug to that is compatible with the E85 yellow plug?

Cheers, Aaron

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