Sudden airbag light in console (error 000020)

[ryushe]

Evening,

As of today I suddenly have an airbag warning light on my dashboard. Checked the wires underneath the seats, and they seem fine, along with the connectors. Checked the door wiring loom as well, and that seems fine too.

So, what might have prompted this?
Well, while I was changing out my spark plugs this morning, I noticed the bonnet didn't want to fully close correctly. Checked the latches and catch for the bonnet, and everything seemed fine, so tried again with some force to be honest. Bonnet finally closed and seated correctly.
Right after, I noticed the airbag warning light illuminated in the dash. Didn't touch anything else besides the spark plugs.

I checked for error codes using Carly, and the only one I can see is an error 000020, with a description of "Ignition (KL.15) on but ignition (KL.R) off / Air Bag". This error popped up under the "Vehicle Electrical System" category; the airbag category itself didn't report any issues. I ordered a B800 airbag diagnostic tool today, so perhaps I'll find out more on Monday. But before I ask a mechanic to check this out, does anyone have any idea what I can look at or where I can look first?

Thanks for reading!

 

[colb]

The B800 is quite a simple diagnostic tool and may not clear the code. Code 20 on the Carley may be indicating a Satellite Sensor code from what I found on google searches. I had a code for the Satellite Sensor B which on my UK rHD car was the passenger side of the car, INPA and BMW Scanner 1.4 on my laptop couldn't clear the code but a handheld Creator 310+ code reader found the code and cleared it first go. Creator 310+ is circa £50 ebay and Amazon if you need one.

 

[ryushe]

Thanks much. Where would these satellite sensors be located? Are those the ones in the A or B pillars?

 

[colb]

B Pillar behind the panel

 

[ryushe]

For anyone stumbling upon this thread via Google or the search function here, a short update.


Bought a B800 as mentioned above, but it didn't even find any issue with the airbags, hence also nothing to reset using it.

So today I had the car checked and read out (with ISTA) at a third party shop today, and it turns out the airbag warning light and subsequent code is in my case due to some issue with connector to the battery controller unit (also called the Base B+, the small control box next to the battery in the trunk). It's the little connector on the right hand side of the longer plus pole cable, which connects to the Base B+ unit, number 4 in this image: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BT31-EUR-10-2004-E85-BMW-Z4_25i&diagId=61_1628

Had the warning reset, and so far it's stayed off. The guy at the shop said that if the light does come back, adding a 3ohm resistor to the connector should fix the issue. Not the first time he's seen it either.

Hope that helps!

 

[AlpinaJr]

Hi, I had the same issue yesterday with the airbag light just appearing. Came up with the same error code 00020 on my Carly. Can you please confirm what the issue was with the Base unit connector & what work you had carried out to solve the issue?

 

[ryushe]

Can you please confirm what the issue was with the Base unit connector & what work you had carried out to solve the issue?

Hi there, as a follow up to my previous message, the light came back after disconnecting the battery to replace a steering wheel.
I have since added a 3ohm resistor to the connector, reset everything, and now the light has stayed off. Basically this tricks the system into thinking it's properly connected. Annotated photo attached to show what I've done.



This took all of 5 minutes to do. Looking at my photo, I could probably clean it up a bit better, but hey, if it works, it works.

Good luck with your issue!

 

[AlpinaJr]

Magic, many thanks for the response.

 

[AlpinaJr]

Magic, many thanks for the response.

 

[Robster68]

I have the same airbag code 00020 on Carly after removing battery box compartment totally to retap broken bolt threads in
box and now I’ve reconnected everything airbag light has come on,is this yellow plug airbag related?
Car was fine before with no codes before.

 

[enuff_zed]

I may be wrong, but I was told ANY yellow plug in the car is to do with the airbag/safety systems and none should be disconnected until the battery has been disconnected and left for 20 minutes. I always do 30 minutes just in case.
If that is indeed the case then you may be able to just reset it, providing you have a device capable of doing that?

 

[Robster68]

I may be wrong, but I was told ANY yellow plug in the car is to do with the airbag/safety systems and none should be disconnected until the battery has been disconnected and left for 20 minutes. I always do 30 minutes just in case.
If that is indeed the case then you may be able to just reset it, providing you have a device capable of doing that?

I thought that about the yellow plugs also,looking at the photo above I can’t see a yellow plug,I can clear the code with Carly but the light stays on.

 

[enuff_zed]

I may be wrong, but I was told ANY yellow plug in the car is to do with the airbag/safety systems and none should be disconnected until the battery has been disconnected and left for 20 minutes. I always do 30 minutes just in case.
If that is indeed the case then you may be able to just reset it, providing you have a device capable of doing that?

I thought that about the yellow plugs also,looking at the photo above I can’t see a yellow plug,I can clear the code with Carly but the light stays on.

Err, just checking, but that yellow plug in your photo is reconnected?

 

[Robster68]

Err, just checking, but that yellow plug in your photo is reconnected?

It was,
Has your car got the same yellow plug?

 

[enuff_zed]

Err, just checking, but that yellow plug in your photo is reconnected?

It was,
Has your car got the same yellow plug?

Just checked wifey's 2.5i auto and my 3.0i cheapo project. Both 53-plate. Both got the same yellow plug as yours.

And no, I'm not unplugging it to see what happens. :rofl:

 

[Robster68]

Just checked wifey's 2.5i auto and my 3.0i cheapo project. Both 53-plate. Both got the same yellow plug as yours.

Thanks for that and no I wouldn’t ask you to unplug to see what happens seeing as this is the only thing I’ve touched /disconnected airbag related I’ll do some more research to try to find the problem,maybe this resistor mod above would work

 

[Robster68]

Purchased the creator c310+ to hopefully clear the code,in the body section under airbag no fault codes listed,so looked at various others no fault,then searched SBSR (satellite b pillar right) found a fault then cleared it.Bingo Airbag light on dash is gone.
Thumbs up for this code reader.