1997 Z3 - 1.9L - SRS Fault - occupat'n sensor

My SRS light has been on for some time now. I took it to a local BMW mechanic and he indicated the fault code was for the passenger seat occupation sensor (child occupation sensor). He indicated the part was around $380 not including labor, which he was unsure of. He indicated he would have to take the seat apart, leather and all, and get in the "foam" to replace the part. He indicated this could be 5 or so hours of labor. Does that sound right? Is this a DIY'r? Any help is appreciated.

It's about $250 discounted. Seat has to come apart. Labor intensive. Do a continuity check on the seat mat before you go any further. No sense in replacing it if it's just a bad connector. The ohm reading will change with the amount of weight on the seat.

Originally Posted by Monolith

It's about $250 discounted. Seat has to come apart. Labor intensive. Do a continuity check on the seat mat before you go any further. No sense in replacing it if it's just a bad connector. The ohm reading will change with the amount of weight on the seat.

Thanks. Sorry for the ineptitude, but could you please "explain" how I would do the "check" you indicated? Thanks so much.

What I believe he is suggesting to do is: Get yourself a Digital Multimeter with a pair of leads.

Find the harness under the seat going to the sensor.

Disconnect the harness, place your leads on the wires going up to the sensor.

Place DMM on Ohms, look for an open. Not sure what your typical resistance will be for this sensor, but an open will just show no value or a flashing.

Also check the pins on that same connector to make sure they are firm seated.

Originally Posted by Pants

What I believe he is suggesting to do is: Get yourself a Digital Multimeter with a pair of leads.

Find the harness under the seat going to the sensor.

Disconnect the harness, place your leads on the wires going up to the sensor.

Place DMM on Ohms, look for an open. Not sure what your typical resistance will be for this sensor, but an open will just show no value or a flashing.

Also check the pins on that same connector to make sure they are firm seated.

Roger that. I will look for the harness and do the test. I will probably have to take the seat out to even get to the harness, right? Thanks so much.