E36 air bag warning

My air bag (supplemental restraint system) light glows in the instrument panel. My mechanic's computer module could not diagnose the source of the fault code. Anyone have experience in this matter (sensor, loose wire?) as the air bag has never deployed and i do not want to pay the dealership $189 to gain the recommendation to start replacing parts until the light goes out.

1.) You need a specific reader to get teh SRS codes. Peaker SRS reset tool is one. The BMW GT1 is another. Check the Bimmerforums regional section and see if anyone close to you has one they will let you borrow or will use for you. The Peake tool is about $140, the GT1 will set you back about $1600.

2) there is no way to tell without getting the codes.

3) But the usual suspects are the slip ring, (drivers airbag firing circuit), Passenger occupancy sensor mat, and one or both seat belt buckles.

my airbag light stays on as it needs a new "clock spring" in the steering wheel mechanism, for an oem part that retails $700 i put up with it.

Clock spring or slip ring is about $179...http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...=214672I***39;m pretty sure you could do better.

thanks for the link mate

The Peake SRS tool is $119.99 Just in case you are interested...We do carry it.
http://www.bimmerzone.com/category/D..._SRS_Tool.html

Good luck in the diagnosis!

Originally Posted by rrsperry

1.) You need a specific reader to get teh SRS codes. Peaker SRS reset tool is one. The BMW GT1 is another. Check the Bimmerforums regional section and see if anyone close to you has one they will let you borrow or will use for you. The Peake tool is about $140, the GT1 will set you back about $1600.

2) there is no way to tell without getting the codes.

3) But the usual suspects are the slip ring, (drivers airbag firing circuit), Passenger occupancy sensor mat, and one or both seat belt buckles.

My 1995 E36 air bag light stays on for about 1 to 2 minutes once I start the car and drive then goes out. Should I be worried or chalk it up to old age.

I believe that one of the reasons the air bag light staying lite could be caused by disconecting the passenger seat sensor
I had removed the interior and wired a dice modual to cd connectors in the trunk
is it true the only way to reset is with hundred buck twentytwo tool?

Originally Posted by mike appleby

I believe that one of the reasons the air bag light staying lite could be caused by disconecting the passenger seat sensor
I had removed the interior and wired a dice modual to cd connectors in the trunk
is it true the only way to reset is with hundred buck twentytwo tool?

Pretty much. Ask around...you may have somebody near you that has one. I'm just across the border in NC...more than happy to scan/reset if you're in the neighborhood.

Thanks much for the offer. That is sure right nice of you. I can get it reset locally, It is things like this that make me think I'm driving a computer,(it's little issues like this that make me think it's in DOS).. Supose If I had a little forsight a disconect on the battery may have avoided this litttle bug..
Lesson learned: don't leave the windows open in the rain.. Could have been worse had any moisture gotton to electrics. That didn't happen. It was a good opportunity to install the Dice mod though. So all worked out.. So after over fourty years tinkering, never have I seen engineering that comes close. Recent advancements in Automotive tech. is great. Thanks again NC

Originally Posted by mike appleby

I believe that one of the reasons the air bag light staying lite could be caused by disconecting the passenger seat sensor
I had removed the interior and wired a dice modual to cd connectors in the trunk
is it true the only way to reset is with hundred buck twentytwo tool?

I have taken my seats out a few times and the light goes out on its own once I get everything plugged back in correctly. Make sure those annoying little connectors are plugged all the way in.

Good luck

Hey KM,
Up eary?
Thanks. I thought it should eventually find itself if all was connected right. I will recheck. I do remember the cable almost was forgotten, but thats hooked up. The seat sensor is conneted at the sensor itself, but I would bet that you are right, but under the carpet I would guess there is a discon somewhere.

Yea, I can't sleep in even on weekends. Guess I am just getting old and set in my ways lol. I purchased the Carsoft 6.5 cables and software for about $50. This tool works well and has quite a lot of diagnostic capability. It allows you to reset the airbag light, so it might be worth a shot. Of course if something is loose it would come back on. Good luck.

Understood.. I can get a diagnostic tool to connect to the OB connector, I don't think that the tool I have access to has the capabillity to reset that light. So happens that the 200 model has the BMW specific connector and an ob2 connector.. No big deal as long as performance is not affected.

Be carful working under the dash not to accidentally disconnect the airbag connector, this will result in the above problems