Gremlins and Airbag light

L

LRC

Member
Hi

A few days ago i got the Airbag light, as usual got myself reading posts and started by new battery, 6 year old old wasn't good anymore. The passenger seat seams to work fine i get the alert when someone doesn't put the seat belt, same for drivers side. I got an emulator for it just in case. I tried to use INPA and ISTA to get codes and i can get the laptop to connect, however just to the DME no other modules with INPA. ISTA asks for vin and then disconnects. List of things i tried. I got a creator 501 and tells me no errors found and does detect the modules go figure.

-> I disconnected the SIM module, same issue.
-> Tried the emulator but can't reset the module as the 501 say no errors and cant connect with INPA.
-> Removed the yatour Bluetooth just i case was broken, didn't work
-> Removed the gaptech remote roof control, same
-> Got a different K+CAN Cable no luck.

Everything works, car drives fine. Anyone has any ideas that i could try ?

Thank you.
 
Is this prefacelift E85?
Did you disconnect the black electrical plug from the centre module or the green fibre optic one? A common mistake.
If you cannot see any modules when looking for codes then probably the k-bus or one of the modules on it at fault
 
Yes 2003, an oldie :)
Since the remote locking is working did think that could be the issue, i will check.

I though it could be something on the K Bus but since the Creator 501 can see them, I try to disconnect as many modules as possible.

Thank you
 
LRC said:
Yes 2003, an oldie :)
Since the remote locking is working did think that could be the issue, i will check.

I though it could be something on the K Bus but since the Creator 501 can see them, I try to disconnect as many modules as possible.

Thank you
Click to expand...
Not quite sure the relevance of central locking? I was talking about the centre airbag module (SIM85)
 
Sorry i thought you mentioned a different module, I disconnected it to see it i could get access using INPA and still nothing. I will get the other modules disconnected today.
 
The mystery solved, B Pillar Left Module, had the seat occupancy error and i had a wire from gaptech that was "exposed" (My terrible wiring) and created issues. Managed to connect the Creator 501 to the module and clear the code. Im sure will show up again and then i will put the emulator and clear the codes and im sure will be fixed. @enuff_zed, thank you i went back and check modules that with the exposed wire created all the confusion. Less Gremlins more user error
 
LRC said:
The mystery solved, B Pillar Left Module, had the seat occupancy error and i had a wire from gaptech that was "exposed" (My terrible wiring) and created issues. Managed to connect the Creator 501 to the module and clear the code. Im sure will show up again and then i will put the emulator and clear the codes and im sure will be fixed. @enuff_zed, thank you i went back and check modules that with the exposed wire created all the confusion. Less Gremlins more user error
Click to expand...
At least it was an easy and cheap fix. :thumbsup:
 
Hi all. A newbie here in the Emerald Isle.
2004 z4. 2.5.
Just looking for any advice anyone can offer me with my own airbag light issue.
Light has been staying on constantly for a few weeks now and the car is due the NCT ( Irish MOT) next month.
Took it to a bmw specialist in Dublin last week and the prognosis was the sensor b-pillar left ,part number 65776942101.
Apparently this part is unavailable from bmw and I’ve tried everywhere in Ireland, uk and Europe with no joy.
Can any tell me if it can be sourced anywhere or better still,can it be repaired or bypassed?
Looking forward to hearing any feedback from you enthusiasts.
Cheers. Carpetmanjoe
 
Carpetmanjoe said:
Hi all. A newbie here in the Emerald Isle.
2004 z4. 2.5.
Just looking for any advice anyone can offer me with my own airbag light issue.
Light has been staying on constantly for a few weeks now and the car is due the NCT ( Irish MOT) next month.
Took it to a bmw specialist in Dublin last week and the prognosis was the sensor b-pillar left ,part number 65776942101.
Apparently this part is unavailable from bmw and I’ve tried everywhere in Ireland, uk and Europe with no joy.
Can any tell me if it can be sourced anywhere or better still,can it be repaired or bypassed?
Looking forward to hearing any feedback from you enthusiasts.
Cheers. Carpetmanjoe
Click to expand...
Can’t be repaired and can’t be bypassed.
There is a devious option with one of those devices that puts a light on for a few seconds, but it requires the airbag light to be blanked off and the dodgy device fitted inside the instrument panel.
If you can source a good secondhand module it can be coded in. But beware all the garages that tell you it’s simple as they usually then find their kit can’t do it.
A few of us can do it but no one I know of over there.
All in England.
 
Thanks for the reply enuff zed..
Great name by the way!!
Might have to take a spin over to Norfolk for a weekend trip with the mrs. Would you be willing to do your magic if I made the journey.?
Would be nice to spend a few days away from home!
Try out the local brew etc and see how it compares to home. 👍
 
First you need to find a module.
Then you need to consider what happens if you come all the way to Norfolk and it's a dud.
There are others who could help and may be easier for you to get to as well: Cardiff, Lincoln and Newcastle for starters.

You can also use any of the 'exchangeable' modules on this list. The newer the better.
Screenshot 2025-01-23 152935.png
 
Cheers for your help enuff zed.
I’ve sourced the part no 65776940299- 65776953009 from HUBAUER-shop.de in Germany. Seems to be the most recent replacement part no.

However, I ordered the original, unavailable part, 65776942101 from them last week and they processed the sale,took the payment via PayPal and subsequently refunded me the money a few days later via PayPal with no explanation.
Here’s hoping I have a bit more luck this time around. !!
Either way, many thanks for your info and if you’re ever over in Ireland, there’s a few pints with your name on them here.
Will let you know how I get on. Thanks again 👍👍
 
Just a thought about that dodgy device to get round the MOT issue, would it not be possible to simply follow the wiring for that dashboard light and cut the cable or better still just break the light itself. As you can guess car electrics are not my forte and I would imagine the fault code would remain and airbag would remain inoperative but I would imagine it would pass the MOT unless tester was very on the ball.
 
Mike6 said:
Just a thought about that dodgy device to get round the MOT issue, would it not be possible to simply follow the wiring for that dashboard light and cut the cable or better still just break the light itself. As you can guess car electrics are not my forte and I would imagine the fault code would remain and airbag would remain inoperative but I would imagine it would pass the MOT unless tester was very on the ball.
Click to expand...
Ther MOT Tester is 'supposed' to check that the light comes on for a few seconds to show it is doing a self test of the system.
 
I agree but don't think my MOT tester would notice that particular light not coming on and he is very thorough. A light staying on or something covered in black tape would definitely attract his attention.
 
Appreciate the advice and tips on getting around the airbag light issue for the test.
Our equivalent of your MOT is the NCT( national car test), which are carried out in specific NCT test centres around the country as opposed to your garages in the UK who are registered to carry out the MOT tests.
The “mechanics” who carry out the tests check for every single fault or flaw and are only too happy to fail the vehicle on sometimes the most ridiculous reasons. I’m not saying that they should not be thorough in their roadworthiness test because fair enough, safety first!
However,some of these guys were Nazis in a previous life and there’s absolutely no reasoning with them. - computer says no!
I think your MOT is a far better system because apart from everything else, there’s usually a delay of months to get a test are they are so backed up.
 
Carpetmanjoe said:
Appreciate the advice and tips on getting around the airbag light issue for the test.
Our equivalent of your MOT is the NCT( national car test), which are carried out in specific NCT test centres around the country as opposed to your garages in the UK who are registered to carry out the MOT tests.
The “mechanics” who carry out the tests check for every single fault or flaw and are only too happy to fail the vehicle on sometimes the most ridiculous reasons. I’m not saying that they should not be thorough in their roadworthiness test because fair enough, safety first!
However,some of these guys were Nazis in a previous life and there’s absolutely no reasoning with them. - computer says no!
I think your MOT is a far better system because apart from everything else, there’s usually a delay of months to get a test are they are so backed up.
Click to expand...
Sounds like your only option is fixing the duff module then.
Hope it goes well.
 
Hopefully the one I have on order from Germany thanks to your help will get me sorted.
I have my 2004 2.5 Maldives blue z4 since 2006 and I’ve only got 60k miles on it.
Really want to keep it on the road.
I need to replace the window regulator on the driver side and I recently got the part on line.
Is it a major headache of a job to carry out?
There’s a really good bloke on YouTube that shows it step by step and makes it look doable, but I’d probably manage to set fire to the house or something! Anyone had a go at this job before?
 
Carpetmanjoe said:
Hopefully the one I have on order from Germany thanks to your help will get me sorted.
I have my 2004 2.5 Maldives blue z4 since 2006 and I’ve only got 60k miles on it.
Really want to keep it on the road.
I need to replace the window regulator on the driver side and I recently got the part on line.
Is it a major headache of a job to carry out?
There’s a really good bloke on YouTube that shows it step by step and makes it look doable, but I’d probably manage to set fire to the house or something! Anyone had a go at this job before?
Click to expand...
It's fiddly but not too difficult if you take your time.
There are two types of motor: 2-pin or 6-pin. Check which yours has and if the replacement is different be sure to swap them over before you install the assembly as it's a pain to access the torx screws once its all in the door. (Assuming your issue isn't a knackered motor of course)
 
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