Passenger air bag light not showing off

[On1wheel01]

My new to me 03 Z4 may have an issue. When I start the car the light illuminates as it should. But then the air bag light off no longer is illuminated after a few seconds and I assume would make the air bag for passenger active ? Does the same thing if my 50 lb 10 year old sits on seat or of seat is empty. Ideas ???

 

[maxman]

The light is meant to go off after starting the car,when it stays on ,that’s when you have a problem.Light on means air bag not active .

 

[On1wheel01]

Yes but what I’m saying is if I want to take my 10 year old for a ride the air bag light should say off with her being in the seat correct ?

 

[Mr Tidy]

Yes but what I’m saying is if I want to take my 10 year old for a ride the air bag light should say off with her being in the seat correct ?

No, it's working as it should. If the light ever stays on there is an airbag fault.

 

[On1wheel01]

Oh okay. So if in a collision would the passenger air bag deploy with a light weight co pilot or no passenger at all ?

 

[Mr Tidy]

If the light stays off I'd assume it would deploy.

BMWs had an option to disable the passenger air-bag - if you open the passenger door and there is a key-slot in the end of the dash you can turn it off with the key, but I think it is a pretty rare option.

I think BMWs of that era could only tell if the passenger seat was occupied - they weren't designed to determine the weight of the passenger because back then it wasn't an issue.

 

[enzed4]

My new to me 03 Z4 may have an issue. When I start the car the light illuminates as it should. But then the air bag light off no longer is illuminated after a few seconds and I assume would make the air bag for passenger active ? Does the same thing if my 50 lb 10 year old sits on seat or of seat is empty. Ideas ???

Bit confused - do you mean the airbag light on the dash goes off (normal), or do you mean the 'Pass Airbag Off' light on the centre console next to the gear/transmission lever turns off, even though you've put the key in the side of the dash and disabled it?
Two different functions/features.

 

[On1wheel01]

I’ll have to check if I have the place in dash to turn off. And the light on center console

 

[On1wheel01]

I’m happy to report I do have the switch to turn the air bag off. Thanks everyone. Now can shut the wife down and tell my oldest she can ride in it lol

 

[enzed4]

I’m happy to report I do have the switch to turn the air bag off. Thanks everyone. Now can shut the wife down and tell my oldest she can ride in it lol

Nice . As others have mentioned, this is not a common option so it's worked out well for you that yours has it.