Hello, I've had an issue with my 2005 Z4 that I need to deal with. I was told by a BMW dealer (after paying for the diagnostics) that my "airbag" light staying on is because both of my "crash sensors" behind my front bumper are defective. It seems odd to me that both would have gone bad........but, I'm considering doing the work myself. Has anyone taken their front bumpers off? It looks a little intimidating but if it wouldn't take any "special" tools I might get into it. So, before getting myself into something I shouldn't have, I thought I'd get some feedback from someone that has actually done this. Any suggestions are very welcome..........Thanks.
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Front bumper removal
- Thread starter CYCLONE2
- Start date
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=1071
Thanks Kermit. Looks like that tells me everything I need to know. It doesn't look too bad. Although, lately I seem to underestimate time and difficulty of just about everything I decide to tackle. :roll: I guess I'll give it a try. Now the only thing is figuring out how to test my "crash sensors" once I can get at them. Supposedly, according to the BMW dealer (diagnostics were performed)......the reason my "airbag" light is constantly on is because of defective sensors. Seems odd though that both would have gone bad.......
Although getting the bumper off is really simple you'll run into issues with the sensors.
Replace both and you'll still have no idea at home if you fixed the issue, or it was a loom or the dealer mis diagnosed (given both out at once) as the airbag light will remain on.
You'll still have to go back to the dealer or Indy to have the airbag reset and another diagnosis fee.
An example is when I was advised by the dealer to reset my airbag I needed a new passenger door airbag. When taken in it turned out to be a cheap loom and there was no additional charge to re diagnose or reset the light.
This is the sort of task I tend to just give it to the dealer/indy to do and save time, effort and often frustration.
Replace both and you'll still have no idea at home if you fixed the issue, or it was a loom or the dealer mis diagnosed (given both out at once) as the airbag light will remain on.
You'll still have to go back to the dealer or Indy to have the airbag reset and another diagnosis fee.
An example is when I was advised by the dealer to reset my airbag I needed a new passenger door airbag. When taken in it turned out to be a cheap loom and there was no additional charge to re diagnose or reset the light.
This is the sort of task I tend to just give it to the dealer/indy to do and save time, effort and often frustration.
nightyard said:why not spend £20 and buy a cable to reset the light yourself and also modify a few settings
Buy a cable? I don't know what you mean. Reset the light? I've assumed only the dealer's special handy dandy $100.00 diagnostic tool is the only thing that can get things back to where they're supposed to be. :thumbsdown:
andysat said:Has the front end been in a fracas?
No. This car is not a daily driver. I'm the second owner, but since I've owned it (6 years) it has never seen snow and very little rain. So, no road salt or any road chemicals to corrode the electronics. The car only has 26,000 miles on it.
cj10jeeper said:Although getting the bumper off is really simple you'll run into issues with the sensors.
Replace both and you'll still have no idea at home if you fixed the issue, or it was a loom or the dealer mis diagnosed (given both out at once) as the airbag light will remain on.
You'll still have to go back to the dealer or Indy to have the airbag reset and another diagnosis fee.
An example is when I was advised by the dealer to reset my airbag I needed a new passenger door airbag. When taken in it turned out to be a cheap loom and there was no additional charge to re diagnose or reset the light.
This is the sort of task I tend to just give it to the dealer/indy to do and save time, effort and often frustration.
That is my fear. I've had a few questionable calls when I had the car serviced under warranty at this dealer. My fear is that I'll have them replace the sensors at their estimated $355.00, reset the system, and find that a few weeks down the road......the airbag light comes back on! So what happens then? Refund? I doubt it. They'd probably tell me that there were also other issues will end up costing more money.
Your door airbag...........so did you have to have the airbag replaced at your expense only to find out it was a defective loom (I assume you mean wire harness)? I know what you mean about just letting the pros do what they do, pay the money, and drive away. Up till about a week ago that was my plan. But, for some reason (money) I've been entertaining the thought of doing it myself.
I have a long lost friend that has been a BMW guy for a long time. He has told me about a private Mercedes mechanic that might have the diagnostic tool to reset my system. I'm going to call him tomorrow and see what he has to say about this whole thing.
No - that's my point. If I'd do e the job I would have pir based an airbag and fitted it only to find the system would not reset. They simply replaced a cable in the door and reset the light.