Struggling to Disable Passenger Occupancy Sensor

[Jakg]

I've fitted some new seats and have the airbag light on, so need to disable the passenger occupancy sensor.

I've tried using BMW Scanner, but the "Recoding" option I need is disabled...?

I've also tried using NCS Expert but couldn't get it to connect to the right ECU (or at least, I couldn't work out which one was the right one).

Any ideas please? I'd like to do it in software if possible.

 

[mac27040]

are the new seat BMW Z4 ones or aftermarket? swap over black module from under the old seats and put a bypass plug in. this should sort the issue.

 

[Jakg]

are the new seat BMW Z4 ones or aftermarket? swap over black module from under the old seats and put a bypass plug in. this should sort the issue.

Aftermarket. I have no idea where I'd mount the sensor.

 

[mac27040]

you should of taken this off the old seats and plugged it into the car yellow plug

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/S9Lk9aj1g-g/maxresdefault.jpg

then added a bypass plug

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Passenger-Seat-Occupancy-Mat-Bypass-BMW-E46E36-E38-E39-Z3-Airbag-Sensor-Emulator/151809584719?_trkparms=aid%3D555017%26algo%3DPL.CASSINI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D55149%26meid%3D7736498054e94678af6fd2cfad3ae5f9%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26%26itm%3D151809584719&_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226

 

[Jakg]

I'm aware I can bypass it but I'd rather disable it in software if possible.

 

[mac27040]

if you have ncsexpert you could look up "OC3" which is passenger occupancy sensor if its availible as on option to code

 

[mac27040]

try NCSexpert and look up ABG module, look for OC3 and disable it (set to nicht_aktiv)

 

[Jakg]

I can't see the "ABG" module in NCS Expert.

 

[Jakg]

Bump!

 

[Jakg]

Managed to do this.

The E85 uses the same airbag setup as the E60 despite being mechanically more like an E46.

You need to connect to the "Satellite ??? ???? Left / Right" module (I forget the exact name) depending on which side you want (SBSL / SBSR).

From there you need to change the SBSL_SBE or SBSR_SBE parameter.

Clear the fault in the SBSL / SBSR module, and the airbag light on the IKE (instrument cluster) and you should be golden.

 

[CRAIGO]

Managed to do this.

The E85 uses the same airbag setup as the E60 despite being mechanically more like an E46.

You need to connect to the "Satellite ??? ???? Left / Right" module (I forget the exact name) depending on which side you want (SBSL / SBSR).

From there you need to change the SBSL_SBE or SBSR_SBE parameter.

Clear the fault in the SBSL / SBSR module, and the airbag light on the IKE (instrument cluster) and you should be golden.

Hi Jakg,

I have exactly the same issue as you on my 2003 car and am struggling to code out the occupancy module in NCS Expert. I used the NCS Dummy profile and found the related coding options in the SBSL ECU for my e85. I then found left occupancy matt sensor and set this to "not active" and exported a new FSW/PSW file but then noticed a warning in the export log stating that an error occured while reading C:\NCSEXPER\WORK\FSW_PSW.TRC unresolve parameter keyword "wert_02" in function ALGOPARAM_SBSL_EAM make sure chassis and module match those of the trace file

I then got worried and didn't write the amended file into the module in NCS Expert and now I'm lost. Have you an idea where I might be going wrong?

Thanks

 

[Jakg]

unresolve parameter keyword "wert_02" in function ALGOPARAM_SBSL_EAM make sure chassis and module match those of the trace file[/b]

I then got worried and didn't write the amended file into the module in NCS Expert and now I'm lost. Have you an idea where I might be going wrong?

Thanks

I guess the first question is - does the module you've selected's version match your setting in NCSDummy?

I.e. the C08 code thing or whatever.

It sounds like you've got the right module but the data in the file doesn't match what NCSDummy expects.

 

[CRAIGO]

I'll take a look tonight. The occupancy module physically has H/W "C10" stamped on it so I need to find a way to see if the software version of the module is the same I guess?

I realised I also used the Dummy profile in NCS Expert and perhaps Revtors or the Expert profile was what I should have used.

I'll be loading it all up again tonight in a bid to get this damn thing coded out for good 8)

 

[Jakg]

I'll take a look tonight. The occupancy module physically has H/W "C10" stamped on it so I need to find a way to see if the software version of the module is the same I guess?

I realised I also used the Dummy profile in NCS Expert and perhaps Revtors or the Expert profile was what I should have used.

I'll be loading it all up again tonight in a bid to get this damn thing coded out for good 8)

I'd be checking the software version using NCSExpert.
I seem to remember a quirk where it shows the latest version in NCSExpert when you connect, but when you actually read the module it then updates with the actual version.

 

[CRAIGO]

Thanks JakG.

So tonight I got a little further having installed Revtors profile which I found actually tells you the correct module (CBD name) to select in NCS Dummy once downloaded from the AKMB ECU on the car. I pulled the information from the SBSL
module and imported it into NCS Dummy and got no errors

I then set Left Seat Occupancy Detection to 'Not Active', exported the MAN file and coded that back to the car in NCS Expert. I then pulled the Trace file again to confirm it had successfully coded - it stated 'Not Active'.

I then disconnected the occupancy module and turned off the warning light in BMW scanner 1.4 and the airbag light is still on. I then scanned the ECU on DIS and it's telling me I still have a communication error on SBSL. Eurgh....

Have I missed anything in NCS Expert - should I have deactived any further options related to the SBSL module?

JakG do you recall exactly which settings on SBSL that you set to Not Active as I notice there are a few more but they are simply check boxes with 'Value' number ranges 1-4?

Any ideas? Thanks

 

[Jakg]

Thanks JakG.

So tonight I got a little further having installed Revtors profile which I found actually tells you the correct module (CBD name) to select in NCS Dummy once downloaded from the AKMB ECU on the car. I pulled the information from the SBSL
module and imported it into NCS Dummy and got no errors

I then set Left Seat Occupancy Detection to 'Not Active', exported the MAN file and coded that back to the car in NCS Expert. I then pulled the Trace file again to confirm it had successfully coded - it stated 'Not Active'.

I then disconnected the occupancy module and turned off the warning light in BMW scanner 1.4 and the airbag light is still on. I then scanned the ECU on DIS and it's telling me I still have a communication error on SBSL. Eurgh....

Have I missed anything in NCS Expert - should I have deactived any further options related to the SBSL module?

JakG do you recall exactly which settings on SBSL that you set to Not Active as I notice there are a few more but they are simply check boxes with 'Value' number ranges 1-4?

Any ideas? Thanks

So in advance, I did this a while ago, I don't have any more info written down and the car is in bits so can't pull the data off right now.

However I wonder if part of your problem might be that you have the sensor connected?

When I've done this job on a Renault Megane before, the car sensibly kicks off if you try to disable something (in the seatbelt/airbag domain) that's actually electrically connected. I'm sure I've heard of similar on BMW too.

Specifically what I'm suggesting is - disconnect the occupancy sensors, which brings up the fault, code out the sensors, then clear the fault codes.

It might not help, but from my experience disconnecting them and then coding them out won't leave you with an error you can't clear as that's what I did.

Also, you say BMW Scanner 1.4. I've used it before (although, ironically not on a BMW) but don't remember it being any good.
I would try INPA instead for clearing the faults - that's the tool I used.

You say that when you scan afterwards it says no communication...
The final question I probably should've asked first is... what fault are you trying to fix?
Are you disabling them sensors because you've removed them (like me)? It doesn't sound like it.
Or are your sensors faulty?
Or is there another problem your trying to work around? If so this might not be the best solution.

 

[CRAIGO]

Thanks for all your help.

I've had an airbag light on my dash for around a year and now want to clear it.

Having scanned the faults on DIS it came up with 'Seat Occupancy Sensor communication fault' (see attached).
Googling and YouTube suggested this can simply be coded out and then physically removed (the small black occupancy sensor which usually has a resistor/diode eBay bypass) But now I'm wondering if the actual SBSL module needs to be removed which isn't what I had in mind. Is this what you did?

Hope this extra information helps.

 

[Jakg]

But now I'm wondering if the actual SBSL module needs to be removed which isn't what I had in mind. Is this what you did?

The ECU (SBSL) is still present. The sensor is removed.

I can't remember what fault mine came up with to see if it's the same as yours to say if your sensor is bad or if it's something else.

 

[CRAIGO]

I think I have two options here.

1. Work out if I need to disable further options in the SBSL module in NCS Expert and if a 'communication error to the passenger seat occupancy' is actually preventing coding from successful application.

2. Locate the SBSL ECU, disconnect it and clean up the contacts and see what error codes are still present.

I'll go on the hunt on the internet to also see what impact those 'wert values' check boxes would make if turned off under the SBSL.

 

[CRAIGO]

So it appears I've been distracted by the error message of the first module detected in the DIS fault memory. I looked more closely in the INPA error log and found there is a communication error on SBSL module itself. This most likely talks to the occupancy sensor to see if anyone is sat there when in a crash on that side before deciding to fire the airbag. I cleared the error, the light went out but came back again on restarting the ignition.

I need to gain access to the SBSL module to check for water damage, I'm hoping a clean of the terminals with switch cleaner and reseating it will be the fix. Once I've got the seat out and disconnected the battery, how easy is it getting access?

Thanks