More airbag module education

enuff_zed

enuff_zed

Lifer
 Attleborough, Norfolk
Directed at those with pre-facelift E85s with the PITA airbag module system.

I spent a couple of frustrating hours last week in Coventry, trying to code a centre module (SIM85) into a low mileage Alpina. The owner had been told by the main dealer that it couldn't be done and effectively his car was scrap! That's helpful!
He'd managed to procure a matching part number module from @GenZed so I slaved it in and started coding. Only got a little way then failed. so I opened up my box of spares and found another. Same thing. And again with third one. Exactly the same code which would be highly unlikely on all three.
Found slight corrosion inside the plug. Cleaning made no difference. Back to my box and found a length of loom with a good plug on. Soldered that into place.
Tried again and yup, same problem. At this point I'm looking around for the petrol and matches.
Using INPA, we discovered that it couldn't actually read the part number of any of the modules. Out of desperation I plugged the original back in and it could read that, although showing an internal fault.
Then the lightbulb moment! The part number on the module ended '9811'. INPA showed it as '2767' which is the latest compatible version. Whatever compatible module you fit, it will always code to the latest version and display that on INPA.
So, this wasn't the original module fitted. Everyone had 'just assumed' but in fact it had been replaced before.
Looking on Realoem it says 2767 and 9811 are both exchangeable in either direction. It appears this is not the case though. Once it's coded up to 2767 it can't go back. I'm sure in the past I've read of someone else having issues with the 2767 module?
Back to my box yet again, dug out a 2767, plugged it in and it coded with no issues. Airbag light out, customer on the verge of a breakdown, and me very relieved.

So..................... moral of the story for anyone who has read this far:
If you have a failed module and need a replacement, do NOT assume the number on the module is spot on, always use a code reader of some description which will tell you the 'part number' of the software inside the module. Then find a replacement that matches that, or at least ask me or one of the other airbag coders for advice.
 
Great advice. I’ve fallen into this similar trap. Never assume the one in situ is correct. Well played sir :thumbsup:
 
Makes me appreciate dealing with a facelift air bag issue this week so much more

Unplug

New unit in

Clear codes

Done
 
God, no, just in the general sense of assumptions biting or "if I knew that to start with, this would have taken 10 minutes rather than a week." Never played the SRS system of any BM beyond removing airbags. I do read these satellite module threads worrying that they sound a bit of a nightmare to deal with. Puts me in mind of when CANbus first came along and the threats of having door latches coded to the car and similar (I believe VAG/Audi did do something in this line.) I've never quite seen the necessity for coding by VIN - an interface is an interface one would think.
 
smorris_12 said:
God, no, just in the general sense of assumptions biting or "if I knew that to start with, this would have taken 10 minutes rather than a week." Never played the SRS system of any BM beyond removing airbags. I do read these satellite module threads worrying that they sound a bit of a nightmare to deal with. Puts me in mind of when CANbus first came along and the threats of having door latches coded to the car and similar (I believe VAG/Audi did do something in this line.) I've never quite seen the necessity for coding by VIN - an interface is an interface one would think.
Click to expand...
Ha! I was just about to tear you a new one for not telling me this before I spent hours staring at an Alpina that wouldn't pass an MOT. :rofl:
 
Hi Martin, as I began reading this I thought how similar it sounded to Alfie's Car. I dont know how you keep so calm, but your knowledge certainly has got a few of us out of a pickle.
 
Z44Jon said:
Hi Martin, as I began reading this I thought how similar it sounded to Alfie's Car. I dont know how you keep so calm, but your knowledge certainly has got a few of us out of a pickle.
Click to expand...
I may appear calm, but under the surface there's raging panic. :rofl:
 
Oh and another thing I discovered by accident relating to this SIM85:
When we came to splice in a new section of loom with non-corroded plug we discovered the Alpina had 9 wires in the plug, but the first one I picked out of the box only had 6. Luckily I had a 9 as well.
Been looking into this and the extra three wires are for cars with Isofix. Two go to the airbag deactivation switch and the third to the light beside the gear lever.
It appears all SIM85s have the Isofix compatibility within them, but if fitted to a car without Isofix it just ignores that part.
So now I have to make sure my spares box has both 6- and 9-wire plugs.
@GenZed , @Umfaan, @bigwinn , @Street , and anyone else who breaks them, Please try to keep decent lengths of loom, with plugs attached, both 6 and 9 wire versions.
 
I understood everything up the first full stop. Then sat with my eyes wide open looking at the rest.
Good investigative work sir.
 
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