Airbag light first things to check?

roblightbody

roblightbody

Member
 Glasgow UK
Hi

I had the car out for a spin the other day for about 30 minutes and it was absolutely great. At the end of the drive, while driving up our hill here, the airbag light came on, and has stayed on since. Seems quite random? Suggestions of what to do/check first please?

I've got a c110 scan tool, but have never actually used it to figure out a fault...

Thanks

Rob
 
You need to learn how to use the scan tool! You cannot reset the airbag light without it, it doesn't go out on its own when you fix any fault.
 
Get up to speed with your code reader, and come back with the offending codes, then people will be in a better position to assist.

I’m currently chasing an airbag fault down. They’re a PITA, but often not a complicated fix.
 
Hello.

Once I figured out how to use the C110, I got it to tell me "93A8 Driver's airbag,stage 1".

I then cleared the code, the airbag light went out, and took it for a short drive it and stayed off.

Obviously now got the feeling that it could come back on at any moment... and presumably when it's on, none of the airbags would fire in an accident, and it won't pass an MOT? Is there anything I can try to provoke it to come back on?

This topic suggests the slip ring? https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=114459

While this topic suggests a seat occupancy sensor - https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17016 - and also mentions that someone got it when they'd disconnected the battery...

Thanks.
 
I did some tests today....

If I clear the code and then drive in a straight line it stays off, but if I make a significant turn it comes straight back on again.

I'm surprised how often and quickly it happens, especially after it only occurred a few days after it had been in for a service ... Should make it easier for them to fix truth l though
 
I did some tests today....

If I clear the code and then drive in a straight line it stays off, but if I make a significant turn it comes straight back on again.

I'm surprised how often and quickly it happens, especially after it only occurred a few days after it had been in for a service ... Should make it easier for them to fix truth l though
 
It sounds like your clockspring is bad. I haven't had a BMW in a longtime, so it may be referred to as a slipring. A clockspring lets you turn your steering wheel without binding up the airbag and horn wires.

you can watch this video to get a better idea of what a clockspring is. As a disclaimer, I didn't watch the video myself
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAJvbnxiiiM
 
DashingDaryl said:
It sounds like your clockspring is bad. I haven't had a BMW in a longtime, so it may be referred to as a slipring. A clockspring lets you turn your steering wheel without binding up the airbag and horn wires.

you can watch this video to get a better idea of what a clockspring is. As a disclaimer, I didn't watch the video myself
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAJvbnxiiiM
Click to expand...

That's really useful thanks, makes sense and I understand.
 
Could well be dirty or worn connections inside the clockspring inside the steering wheel causing an intermittant break in communication with the steering wheel airbag hence the light comming on. If you go in to check the wiring be sure to disconnect the battery before starting to dismantle it otherwise you run the risk of firing the airbag and/or being met with the airbag light remaining on and setting further codes.
I would check the wiring is all clean and good connections, opening up the clockspring to clean the contact plate in there is doable but not for the feint hearted to tackle.
 
Thanks. It's beyond me to tackle, but I will pass on my thoughts when I take it to the garage next week. Sounds like a very common fault on lots of cars as they age.
 
So we started driving the car a lot more because the weather was better, with the light on for a couple of weeks, while we tried to find time to book it in to get fixed.

Then I wondered.. Maybe the increased use of the car might have improved things... So I reset the light once more and.... It's stayed off, for weeks now!

£0!
 
Nearly a year on, and the light has come on once again, and resetting the error has cleared it again (3 weeks with the light off so far). Very odd!
 
Me again. Airbag light was on and wouldn't go off this time, so our local specialist is replacing the hub which will cost £552 including vat, fitted. They've said it turns out not to be that, it'll be the airbag which is £700 (not sure if they would then take the unnecessary hub back or not!).

Seem reasonable?
 
roblightbody said:
Me again. Airbag light was on and wouldn't go off this time, so our local specialist is replacing the hub which will cost £552 including vat, fitted. They've said it turns out not to be that, it'll be the airbag which is £700 (not sure if they would then take the unnecessary hub back or not!).

Seem reasonable?
Click to expand...
What hub?
Do they mean the ASCM behind the handbrake?
Highly unlikely to be an actual airbag.
A forum member in Cambridge had the same issue recently with his MR. Found a company in Norwich who sorted out his original unit for him.
I'll dig out the thread.
 
Here you go.
He mentions the company who fixed it near the bottom of page 2.
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=143509
 
roblightbody said:
I think they were meaning the steering wheel hub?
Click to expand...
That'll teach me not to skip the first page! Sorry.
OK, well it sounds as though it is indeed, as others have suggested, the slip ring contacts that are the issue.
I'm not sure who your closest forum helper would be up there but I know [ref]street[/ref] is in Newcastle. Not exactly close, but I'm pretty sure he could fit a replacement slip-ring AND steering wheel airbag if required and even with your fuel costs you'd be well under the quotes you've been given!
 
Glasgows not the worst drive. I’m trying to plan a journey up there as it goes. I’ve got a couple of slip rings and airbags from memory so we could swap them out easily enough.
 
Thanks for the offers of help, appreciated! Also helps to put this garage into context. We're going to switch to an alternative independent. This one was chosen mainly because it was in a good location.

Is the slip-ring a component of the wheel hub, or is it totally separate, that's that I'm trying to understand... Others on this forum imply that just taking it all apart for the first time in 17 years and just cleaning the electrical contacts could have resolved it too... Oh well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom