Permanent Air bag light

G

Ghila36

Member
 Ryton
I have a Z4 E85 2.2, 2005 with the air bag light permanently showing on the dash. Tried all of the regular suspect areas without success.
I have had auto electric engineers try two different diagnostic tools, each time the same result the module does not correspond and cannot be detected.
While working on it last night, i noticed that the symbol appears on the dash as soon as the key is turned to position 1, to me this is the auxiliary position, this is the only image shown at this time, turn to position 2 and all normal ignition images appear and switch of upon the engine starting, leaving the air bag image on.
Question is should it be on in ignition switch position 1.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Ghila
 
Where you based bud

Would be worth hooking it up to inpa for a proper look at the issue
 
Hi bigwinn,
i'm near Newcastle in the frozen North.
Excuse my ignorance but what is "inpa". I'm sure that I will pick up the jargon eventually, but new to using the forum even tho i have been a long time member. This is my first Z4.
 
The 2.0i I'm breaking had a similar issue.
Thought I'd fixed it a few times but it got more persistent.
Eventually discovered that vape fluid had been spilt in the coin holder behind the handbrake.
Directly below that is the main airbag module.
It was full of sticky gunk with signs of arcing on the circuit board.
 
Thanks fellas, actually "Street" has had a look also, and at the moment it has him baffled as well.
enuff_zed, I have had a look into the hole you mentioned and can see the module which looks clean. As I am mechanical and not electrical in any way. I didn't want to interfere with the module or the wiring.
Can either of you remember if the light should be on with the switch in position 1.
 
Ghila36 said:
Thanks fellas, actually "Street" has had a look also, and at the moment it has him baffled as well.
enuff_zed, I have had a look into the hole you mentioned and can see the module which looks clean. As I am mechanical and not electrical in any way. I didn't want to interfere with the module or the wiring.
Can either of you remember if the light should be on with the switch in position 1.
Click to expand...
Can't remember without going back out to the car and it's pishing down! :roll:
I am a mechanical type myself too, but I managed to access the unit to remove it and then it was simply unbolting the panel underneath to see in.
However, it's a big mining job to get down to it, so I'd not make that my first port of call.
 
[ref]Ghila36[/ref], good morning.
I have just checked and yes, the airbag red light does come on with the key in the first position too.
 
Sound like the module has died with an internal fault if its not connecting with diagnostics but best try INPA or BMW Scanner 1.4 or a handheld scanner like a Creator 310+ which I know connects to the airbag module and can clear codes if they have been set.
If the module is dead then you will need to check the part number in Realoem and expand on the part number applicable to your actual car, you do this by entering the last 7 letters and digits of your Vin number on the Start page.
Once you click on the part number it will display details of your module and those others that are exchangable retrospectively with your module. Once you know what can be fitted then search out for a replacement on ebay, can be a bit of a lottery as some may have come from a crashed car and they will be locked up and require a specialist company to clear them. Any replacement module fitted will require coding to your car using NCS Expert, another piece of software that usually comes with the INPA package that is sold on ebay by BCables.
 
Thanks for your help Colb.
Sorry for late reply, I have the car booked into a diagnostic garage locally 7th November. Apparently never been beaten, hopefully they live up to their name.
 
Ive had this problem before on my 2003 z4, it turned out to be a water leak! Check under the seats for water. Under the passenger seat was soaking in mine, and the water had been drawn up behind the seat where the sensor was located and subsequently goosed it! Unfortunately it's an expensive part and I'm not mechanically minded either. I didn't want a used/reconditioned fitted so had to bite the bullet and pay for new part, fitting, find where the water was coming in and fix the leak! Nice holiday in Dubai for my local mechanic though!!
 
Any update on your problem after the visit to the Garage on the 7th November?
 
Well chaps, my airbag light is off, thanks to "Street", or Santa Claus as I would like to call him. I simply asked if he would like to have a look at the problem and within a short length of time he had it diagnosed and fixed.
it was a rusty multi pin socket on the main airbag module, the module was OK, and a damaged connector to the front airbag.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom