Airbag light reset!

I just met up with a bimmerfest member (Cereall) yesterday to have my airbag light reset. I had complained earlier about the ridiculous price a dealer wants just to plug in a cable, tap a few buttons, and viola, the light goes off. Cereall PM'd me and said he has Carsoft and can reset it for me so we met. Thanks again Cereall!

is there another way to reset the airbag light other than going to the dealer, can you use a peak tool reader or what ??

I believe Peake does make an airbag light reset tool but it's very limited in what else it's good for. Other than those two options, there is no other known way to reset the light correctly.

(This is my first post. Hoping for a few results with this problem. Here goes...)

My E46 had the dreaded Airbag Light come on (WHY does it have to look like the guy has a medicine ball in his lap...?)

It happened after I followed the instructions for removal/replacement of the driver's door airbag while changing the window regulator. (BTW, do NOT pay the stealer for this job: $150US for the part, PLUS $350 for "labor", apparently billed at, oh $175/hour..) Was able to put in aftermarket regulator from FCP Groton, at $55.00, and it took me 2 hours. I'm an average mechanic, with basic tools and good sense of determination, and a Bohemian sensibility when it comes to spending money.

OK, rant's over....

Anyway, the airbag light came on after reassembling everything. I'm told that it COULD be reset with a Peake tool ($150), Stealer price ($135), OR...shorting two of the contacts in the diagnostic plug base, where the Peake tool would interface with the car's OBD computer. Sooooo.......which are the two contacts to short? Anyone had experience with this? AND...been successful?

Thanks in advance for your help/advice/chastisement/comments!

I wish there was an easier way myself. I'd rather just put up with the light than spend over $100 just to have it turned off.

Originally Posted by TemporarySanity

I wish there was an easier way myself. I'd rather just put up with the light than spend over $100 just to have it turned off.

The law allows you to drive around with an airbag light on? Have you tried the passenger occupancy airbag light fix?

I don't think the law has jurisdiction over that. My light is on because I had the airbag unplugged when I was working on my window regulator and turned the key for power.

So far, MI doesn't require annual inspections. As for which version of Carsoft, I don't know. I just met up with the owner/fest member and he reset it for me.

Originally Posted by drmax60

Anyway, the airbag light came on after reassembling everything. I'm told that it COULD be reset with a Peake tool ($150), Stealer price ($135), OR...shorting two of the contacts in the diagnostic plug base, where the Peake tool would interface with the car's OBD computer. Sooooo.......which are the two contacts to short? Anyone had experience with this? AND...been successful?

Thanks in advance for your help/advice/chastisement/comments!

Hi - just a bit of clarification, our R5/SRS airbag tool retails for $129.99, though most authorized dealers sell it for $119.99.



Best of luck,

Ken

Originally Posted by TemporarySanity

I just met up with a bimmerfest member (Cereall) yesterday to have my airbag light reset. I had complained earlier about the ridiculous price a dealer wants just to plug in a cable, tap a few buttons, and viola, the light goes off. Cereall PM'd me and said he has Carsoft and can reset it for me so we met. Thanks again Cereall!

May I ask what triggered the airbag light in the first place, and if the Carsoft tool read the code properly? From what I've read, it is most commonly due to the sensor in the seat itself or the sensor in the seatbelt. Did the reset tool turn off the light without you having to correct the cause? I have been dealing with this light for quite some time now (I think my son kneed on the seat itself while trying to reach for something in the backseat). CN90 was trying to come up with a fix for this issue as well. Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by guaping

May I ask what triggered the airbag light in the first place, and if the Carsoft tool read the code properly? From what I've read, it is most commonly due to the sensor in the seat itself or the sensor in the seatbelt. Did the reset tool turn off the light without you having to correct the cause? I have been dealing with this light for quite some time now (I think my son kneed on the seat itself while trying to reach for something in the backseat). CN90 was trying to come up with a fix for this issue as well. Thanks in advance.

My issue at that time was when I was replacing the steering wheel buttons, I turned the key to unlock the wheel when I had the airbag out. I accidently turned the key to the on position which triggered the light. Once I reassembled the wheel, I knew there would not be an issue but it doesn't reset the light so I had a friend reset it for me. I'm sure there isn't a problem with the SRS system. Thanks

As an xref, there is a nice airbag reset procedure here:
- air bag light reset - was drivers belt buckle

The PA Soft should be able to do it too...