Airbag light on - help needed

[marku]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some help with an airbag light issue on my 2005 BMW Z4 (E85).

I've recently replaced the passenger/left side B Pillar airbag module with a used module of the exact same part number; part no. 6953009. I understood that the module would need to be coded in. However the codes after fitting the replacement module were as follows;

982D  No message from left front door satellite or left front door module, SBSL Receiver, TMFA Transmitter
982F  No message from right front door satellite (E85) or right front door module (E6x), SBSL Receiver, TMFA Transmitter
982B  Incorrect Chassis Number
984F  Coding firing circuit front Left airbag stage 1 (E85) or active head restraint front left (E6x) at variance
985A  Coding firing circuit front Left airbag stage 2 (E85) or active head restraint front left (E6x) at variance
9870  Coding firing circuit thorax airbag rear left (E85, E60, E61) or knee airbag front left (E63, E64) at variance
9842  Self test too few messages


This week I managed to get a BMW specialist to try and code it in. But he has said that the following fault codes are preventing him from coding the module into the car;

982D  No message from left front door satellite or left front door module, SBSL Receiver, TMFA Transmitter
982F  No message from right front door satellite (E85) or right front door module (E6x), SBSL Receiver, TMFA Transmitter


I'm not sure, but do these two fault codes suggest that both the driver and passenger (which I've just replaced) airbag satellite's/module's are bad? Or does it just require someone with the correct software and experience to code it in?

If anyone can help and shed any light on this issue or perhaps offer a solution then that would be great.

Many thanks

 

[bigwinn]

What drove you to replace that module? Water damage?

Any issues at all with the central module- water or similar?

 

[enuff_zed]

If the centre module was dead you would not be able to see the satellites either as they feed through it.
Are you sure you initially only had a left side issue?
Looks like both are dead to me.
Do you know what software the garage used? Modern stuff tends to kill more than it codes!

Finally, where are you? Can we help out?

 

[marku]

What drove you to replace that module? Water damage?

Any issues at all with the central module- water or similar?

Thanks for your quick response.

The original fault codes were;

9847 Short circuit, firing circuit front left airbag stage 1 (E85) or active head restraint front left (E6x) to ground.
9528 Control Unit Fault

Yes it was water damage. Under the carpet was damp and I found blue corrosion marks on some of the pins of the passenger/left side B Pillar airbag module (part no. 6953009). I cleaned the pins up, reinstalled the module and managed to get the airbag light to go out for short periods of between 5 - 20 minutes. So I replaced it with a used module from ebay and the original fault codes are gone and have been replaced with the ones I posted in my original post.

I'm not aware of a fault with the central module.

 

[marku]

If the centre module was dead you would not be able to see the satellites either as they feed through it.
Are you sure you initially only had a left side issue?
Looks like both are dead to me.
Do you know what software the garage used? Modern stuff tends to kill more than it codes!

Finally, where are you? Can we help out?

Again thanks for the quick response.

As mentioned in the reply to bigwinn, the only codes I was aware of originally were 9847 and 9528. The only time I got a fault code for the right-side module is when I've installed the replacement passenger/left side B Pillar airbag module and got the fault codes that are listed in my original post.

Unfortunately, I don't know what software was being used by the specialist.

I haven't done so yet, but I can check the right-side B Pillar airbag module to see if there is a similar issue and signs of water damage.

I'm based in the midlands, but don't mind travelling if I can get this issue resolved, as I'm not sure how to progress with this.

 

[bigwinn]

Martin (enuff zed) and I are not far from you

I’m Lincoln and he is Suffolk

I have a feeling without seeing the car that your central module is bad- without unplugging it you can pop the coin tray out in the centre console near the rear hatch to see the module and the connection

You’ll see if there is anything awry then

 

[bigwinn]

Actually sorry

Re reading your post

So original module you could clear codes for a short while, but the new one throws codes?

Assume it’s been coded correctly- if so the new unit is the issue

Where did you get it?

 

[marku]

Yes, I cleaned the pins on the original passenger/left side B Pillar airbag module and managed to get the airbag light to go out - along with the codes - for short periods of between 5 - 20 minutes. The fault codes 9847 and 9528 would clear and return along with the airbag light. So I replaced the left side B Pillar airbag module with one purchased from ebay and now get the codes I've mentioned in my original post.

It seems the two codes 982D, 982F that remained - after the BMW specialist tried to code the replacement module - suggests that both the driver and replacement passenger airbag satellite's/module's are bad. The other codes 982B, 984F, 985A, 9870, 9842 I think appear to be related to the coding of the replacement module. I'm just guessing though.

 

[bigwinn]

I’d suggest giving Martin a shout- purely as he has a stock of modules which I don’t have here?

 

[bigwinn]

You are welcome here to see if the coding was ‘debatable’ on the new module…

 

[marku]

I’d suggest giving Martin a shout- purely as he has a stock of modules which I don’t have here?

Ok, thanks for your reply, I'll wait to see what Martin suggests.

 

[enuff_zed]

I’d suggest giving Martin a shout- purely as he has a stock of modules which I don’t have here?

Ok, thanks for your reply, I'll wait to see what Martin suggests.

I'll be honest, if you come to me I would go through the whole diagnosis again, just to be sure.
Then I would attempt to recode the left one using my software.
The modules send check signals to each other and if the left isn't playing then the centre and right will have faults saying they've not heard from it (Timeouts). I've only ever been able to see these codes on INPA.
I'm actually in Norfolk, just South West of Norwich. You could do the run over here if you'd like to, or get Stuart to check it over first. Finding another left module could prove the most difficult part if your replacement one is duff. I have several righthand ones if that was needed.

 

[marku]

I’d suggest giving Martin a shout- purely as he has a stock of modules which I don’t have here?

Ok, thanks for your reply, I'll wait to see what Martin suggests.

I'll be honest, if you come to me I would go through the whole diagnosis again, just to be sure.
Then I would attempt to recode the left one using my software.
The modules send check signals to each other and if the left isn't playing then the centre and right will have faults saying they've not heard from it (Timeouts). I've only ever been able to see these codes on INPA.
I'm actually in Norfolk, just South West of Norwich. You could do the run over here if you'd like to, or get Stuart to check it over first. Finding another left module could prove the most difficult part if your replacement one is duff. I have several righthand ones if that was needed.

Really appreciate the help. How can I arrange this with you?

 

[enuff_zed]

Ok, thanks for your reply, I'll wait to see what Martin suggests.

I'll be honest, if you come to me I would go through the whole diagnosis again, just to be sure.
Then I would attempt to recode the left one using my software.
The modules send check signals to each other and if the left isn't playing then the centre and right will have faults saying they've not heard from it (Timeouts). I've only ever been able to see these codes on INPA.
I'm actually in Norfolk, just South West of Norwich. You could do the run over here if you'd like to, or get Stuart to check it over first. Finding another left module could prove the most difficult part if your replacement one is duff. I have several righthand ones if that was needed.

Really appreciate the help. How can I arrange this with you?

I'll PM you my contact number.
In the meantime, see if you can get the part number for the right satellite module too.
No point in coming all this way if I don't have spares.

 

[enuff_zed]

To wrap this one up: Mark made the long trip from Derby to Norfolk this morning and I was able to sort his airbag light.
In the end it turned out to be nothing worse than the left module (SBSL) not being coded to the car. It was giving all sorts of spurious readings because of that.
20 minutes with ye olde laptop and it was properly coded into the car with VIN and System Time and the long journey back to Derby could begin.

If anyone is in the market for a very nice, clean Monaco Blue 2.2i Auto with only 48k on the clock, then it's worth giving Mark a shout as this one looked extremely well cared for.

 

[marku]

Thanks again Martin. Well worth the long trip and a pleasure to meet you and your wife. As Martin has said, the problem is now sorted and the airbag light is off. It's worth noting, three BMW specialists that I contacted regarding this issue didn't know how to resolve it, but Martin did!

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks again Martin. Well worth the long trip and a pleasure to meet you and your wife. As Martin has said, the problem is now sorted and the airbag light is off. It's worth noting, three BMW specialists that I contacted regarding this issue didn't know how to resolve this issue, but Martin did!

Thank you for the endorsement Mark. Great to meet you and even better to be able to send you home happy.

 

[dkleit]

Hi Martin, Any chance you'd have access to a replacement airbag module for a 2003 BWM Z4. Module number is 65776935920.
Sorry found this old thread and thought i'd jump on.

 

[enuff_zed]

Hi Martin, Any chance you'd have access to a replacement airbag module for a 2003 BWM Z4. Module number is 65776935920.
Sorry found this old thread and thought i'd jump on.

Hi there.
I’m in Jamaica right now so can’t check. I know I only have two or three centre modules remaining but not the numbers.

 

[dkleit]

Thanks Martin. If you could have a look when you get back it would be greatly appreciated.
Enjoy your time in Jamaica