It may be the case that the Passenger Restraint System error, and the 930B9B are separate issues, and the 930B9B is a simple wire error caused by clumsy wiretap or access.

ISTA does not make it clear that there is no circuit that is unmonitored for unauthorized load and that will not cause an error. That looks like a triple negative assertion. All circuits are monitored for unauthorized loads that will cause errors.

 

Hey Doug, thanks for your comment

Other than reverse the dash cam install and remove the wiretaps.. do you have any thoughts on checking /eliminating a bad wire tap?

it’s all been reversed, but happy to check for any lingering issues you might suggest

I’m nervous they’re going to suggest a new seat sensor or ACSM module because of that code, just to not solve the issue.

Really interested to hear what you might do/check next If you were in this position?

Thanks Doug, appreciate it

 

pls show a picture of the wiretap and which fuse you used used to tap into, BMW's are sensitive on there electrics, if it isn't 100% correct or what it's expecting you will have a lot of problems
Something I experienced with a shonky wiretap. I'm assuming you are not allowing the dash cam to go on parking mode through the BMW battery, that will cause problems, don't ask me how I know this.
It could be a big coincidence, but I don't believe in those, if it was fine before you started, it's the work you did, if you reverse the work you should be ok unless you've cause damage.
All these youtube video's on how to dashcam on non-BMW cars don't apply to BMW's
At least you did the work yourself, mine I had a bunch of total A$$ wipes screw my car to the tune of a new battery and messed up a couple of other systems

 

Hey Jaye, thank you for commenting - much appreciated

I have added a couple of photos of the fusebox and the fuse's that was tapped into. 1 was for live power, 1 was for accessory power

Also, I can confirm I didn't turn on the parking mode in the Camera settings. The instruction video I followed was also on a F20 BMW by someone who claimed to have done hundreds of these installs so thought i'd be okay.. doh! lesson learned.

PS, thanks for making me chuckle at a frustrating time! with your 'Atleast you did the work yourself' comment!

 

It's possible the issue is damage from the wiretap but the fact that it first occurred when you simply plugged into the USB port suggests otherwise to me. The error shouldn't have occurred by powering a device via the USB port. Fuses are in place to prevent overload. There's a reasonable chance that it is a coincidence. If it were my car, I'd start by tracing the wires from the passenger seat detector mat. I'm not familiar with the technical details of this system but would be tempted to search for the seat detector mat's connector and disconnect it to see if error codes changed. I'd also compare resistance values of the driver's mat and passenger mat. Similar values would suggest the passenger mat is good and the problem is elsewhere, probably in the wiring somewhere in the supply line from the connector forward.

 

Good morning Stan, Thanks you for offering some insight mate, much appreciated

I have plans to disconnect that seat mat sensor today and re-test to see if the error fault changes or if a new one pops up.. My thinking is, if a new error fault pops up then I'm probably looking in the wrong area despite the 'code' and it's description. (Sibling in the motor trade suggested that same thing as you so I'll give that a go)

Yes, I thought the USB/triggering the SRS light to be strange too, I put it down to the dashcam causing the voltage to drop too low and trigger the SRS system. (based on online research)

I wonder if the USB caused one soft SRS error (due to voltage) that was easily cleared, and this current SRS error is a different error caused by the wiretap and the two SRS errors are actually different.

(I did not have Ista+ when I cleared the first error, just used a generic scanner so am not able to compare codes from the two separate SRS errors unfortunately)

Thanks again for your input

 

re-read,
"plugging it into the armrest USB slot. The following day a "Passenger restraint system" fault appeared. "

yeah pluggin in was a co-ink-e-dink,

 

We're all just trying to help our here and your smart ass comment adds no value.

I didn't say it IS a coincidence, only that there's a reasonable chance it could be. It's an odd situation and should NOT be ruled out. That it first occurred at the USB port suggests that, at the very least the problem isn't limited to the tap because it first occurred before installing the tap. Checking the tap is certainly a worthwhile endeavor but the wiring from the passenger seat forward should be checked as well as the wiring below the center console. I don't know the layout of the wiring but would also be looking into anything common between the passenger seat pad wiring and the USB port wiring.

FWIW, I'm not an armchair quarterback. Component level through system level troubleshooting and repair of a wide range of computers and electronics was my Navy career for twenty years where, among other things, I obtained miniature and micro-miniature repair certification not to mention I've re-wired entire cars and other more complex systems.

Leave your snide remarks at the door.

 

It is funny how nowadays knowledge and professional achievements don't seem to have a dirrect connection to maturity or simple politeness.
Nothing in StanDiego's well argumented (and polite) comments warranted such a childish, insulting and ridiculous rant.

I think you'd win big time by imagining, every time you post, that you're both sitting at the same table, beer in hand, rather than going ballistic. We're all guests here.

 

God not you again, < putting you on ignore>

I don't like being called a smart ass, and I dont like being told to keep snide remarks at the door, I'm assuming you can read,
you want polite, then be polite,and being called a smart ass is NOT POLITE, do you understand that ?
I don't need you to tell me how to handle myself,
"We're all just trying to help our here and your smart ass comment adds no value."
Leave your snide remarks at the door.
I will give as good as I get, guests DONT call other guests names

You are going on ignore, I'm done with you, from other threads you've pulled this rubbish.
Please go stalk somone else.

It is funny how nowadays knowledge and professional achievements don't seem to have a dirrect connection to maturity or simple politeness.
Nothing in StanDiego's well argumented (and polite) comments warranted such a childish, insulting and ridiculous rant.

I think you'd win big time by imagining, every time you post, that you're both sitting at the same table, beer in hand, rather than going ballistic. We're all guests here.

 

Usually two adults can reason with one child, but there are exceptions to everything
Cheers

 

If you have a short to ground I would expect a blown fuse. Have you looked at wiring diag yet?
Since the seat moves you have potential for a chafed wire to the pad sensor, rubbing on metal frame. I would inspect wires under the seat, look for wires laying against metal.

 

If you have a short to ground I would expect a blown fuse. Have you looked at wiring diag yet?
Since the seat moves you have potential for a chafed wire to the pad sensor, rubbing on metal frame. I would inspect wires under the seat, look for wires laying against metal.

Hey Xrviz, Thanks for your comment mate

I've checked all the fuses in both the front/back fuse box.. Every single fuse, not just the Safety system ones either.

I have checked the wires under the seat, i've unplugged the module, check the connections and then checked the connection from the Seat module to the ACSM module under the dash. All seems ok

I've also checked to see if I stretched or snagged any wires when I tucked the dash cam wiring behind the trim and nothing!

I spoke to a few auto electricians and they are all leaning towards a dodgey seat sensor and indicating that dashcam install was just a coincidence.

I'm taking the car to a BMW coder tomorrow to attempt to 'code out' the Occupancy sensor to see if I have any luck that way

All very bizarre!

 

Why not just leave it unplugged? Does it give you warning light on the dash?

 

Yeah afraid so, disconnecting it alone without coding it out brings up a different error (Open circuit error or no communication)

 

Hey Bimmerfest folk

I'm here with my hat in hand asking if anyone has any insight into my current issue that is slowly zapping up my soul!

Car = 2013, M135i, F20 N55 (But I think this issue may be relevant to all models)

The Problem - installation of dashcam caused 'Passenger restraint system fault' that Ista+ cannot clear.

Background Story
I purchased and installed a dashcam, plugging it into the armrest USB slot. The following day a "Passenger restraint system" fault appeared. Hours and hours of research led me to some noise about voltage being the cause. I unplugged the dash cam, charged the battery, and was able to clear the code with Bimmerlink. Yippee! (No sign of any warning lights for 2 weeks)

Then, The dashcam was installed using the wiretap method. Tapping into a live and accessory fuse. (Avoiding any of the critical fuses of course) and POW, the "Passenger restraint system" fault re-appeared the next day.

However, The wiretap/Camera has been uninstalled and we can't seem to clear this one with Bimmerlink OR Ista+. (Neither can the local BMW specialist indi garage)

Fault Code - "930b9b - Front Passenger seat occupancy detection short circuit to earth"

It is booked back in the garage in 2 weeks for a deeper investigation by their techs, but I have my annual inspection (WOF/MOT) coming up next week which it will fail with the 'Restraint system' fault (in this Country) and I'm eager to try anything myself to resolve.

I have Ista+, I'm pretty handy with a spanner and willing to check any suggestions you folks may have.. Case of beer delivered to the door to anyone who points me to VICTORY!!!

Regards

View attachment 1080729
View attachment 1080728

I have the "Passenger restraint system" light on ,on my BMW cluster, while installing the dash cam you damaged the passenger sensor under the seat cover, there is bypass you can order to remove the dash light. I was told it would cost 2500 USD by the dealer shop to fix it.

 

Hey Giant head! Sorry to hear you're having a similar issue.

Yeah, a replacement seat sensor is definitely expensive..I will be trying to 'de-code' it from the ECU or use a seat emulator bypass and any other possible solutions before I pay that sort of money for Seat mat that is prone to fail again (It's a really common issue)

Hmmm, I'm familiar with the Seat mat wiring, It literally goes from the middle of under the seat to the yellow connector that is also under the seat. I didn't go anywhere near said wiring or even under the seat. I ran the dash cam cable across the head lining and down the pillar and down along the door seal.

I'd concede the maybe my wiretap caused a fault, but i'd be VERY surprised if I've damaged the 'seat sensor' wiring itself mate.

I've got my hands on a seat emulator already, but i'm going to try have it coded out first!

 

Post hoc, ergo proctor hoc.
After this, therefore because of this.

Alas, a human frailty. Assuming that because something occurred after something else, that first something was the cause. A fallacy perhaps but our brains are wired for such survival shortcuts. A frailty from strength?

 

Post hoc, ergo proctor hoc.
After this, therefore because of this.

Alas, a human frailty. Assuming that because something occurred after something else, that first something was the cause. A fallacy perhaps but our brains are wired for such survival shortcuts. A frailty from strength?

Maybe so

 

My experience of passenger restraint system fault is corrosion on wiring connectors. Extra resistance of connection is enough to mess with voltage and resistance of the circuit tests that the module/ecu runs.

If you’re desperate to blame the USB (remember, the fault occurred prior to the wire tap) the only thing I can think of is that in routing the wires (if you routed wires) a connector block or plug was disturbed enough to exacerbate an already borderline connection.

 

My experience of passenger restraint system fault is corrosion on wiring connectors. Extra resistance of connection is enough to mess with voltage and resistance of the circuit tests that the module/ecu runs.

If you’re desperate to blame the USB (remember, the fault occurred prior to the wire tap) the only thing I can think of is that in routing the wires (if you routed wires) a connector block or plug was disturbed enough to exacerbate an already borderline connection.

I do appreciate you sharing your insight Pete, my fellow New Zealander

It is entirely possible that it’s a coincidence indeed, just seemed bizarre that the first warning occurred the day after installing using USB, and then after clearing the error code there was no sign of it until 2 weeks later when I installed via wire tap.

That said, there may be legs in your suggestion around disrupting electrical wires whilst routing the DashCam cables. It’s possible I could have knocked them on the two occasions

1 - Routing the usb
2 - Rouring an entirely different wire tap cable along the same route

Although I lightly tucked the cables just into the trim, I’ll try identify if there are any plugs along that route

Thanks Pete

 

Took me a long time of mis-attribution of fault, testing capacitors in the main ABS/Restraint Syst module (I forget what it’s called), trying resistors to fool the test but in the end I went with the mechanic’s diagnosis (non specialist but experienced with BMWs) and replaced a wiring harness with used one from Pick-A-Part for $9. (That was in my E61 5 series but some parts from E9x are similar and we’re now seeing a crap-ton of later model BMWs turning up in the wreckers. Thank you used Japanese imports.)

Front passenger seat pads seem to be a fairly common fault. Hope you get it sorted.

Would be nice if you could simply unplug them but alas, BMW have their extreme ways.

I got a 2008 Mitsubishi Delica D5 to replace another vehicle and it has more airbags (!) than the 5 series, all the same electronic features for controls, accessories and vehicle access & comfort features yet to disable the driver seatbelt warning chimes (opening farm gates) you simply unplug it at the belt. No warnings, no bongs, no chimes, no light, no earth-disconnected fault. Bliss.

 

Good morning Pete, Lovely weather aye?

Yup, BMW definitely love a complex system. I wish it was a simple as your Delica!

Providing a quick update, some day it may help someone

• Checked all the fuses, Seat wiring, Seat sensor plug and connection to the ACSM module under the dash
• Checked where I routed the wiring on my dashcam, just to rule out knocking any wiring or plugs
• I have had the seat mat sensor coded out using ‘ProTool’ so that the ACSM module isn’t even looking for the seat sensor, yet I still get a short circuit on that seat mat sensor
• I’ve tried resetting the ACSM module
• Mixed feedback from Auto Electricians, some have claimed it’s an entire coincidence, whilst others have said it’s entirely possible that a dash cam could have caused this

I’ve put in more hours researching and diagnosing than I’m proud to admit, it’s always been booked in with the BM specialists but I’ve tried to solve it myself in the meantime. It’s been a bit of a learning curve and I’m happy that i’ve obtained some knowledge and future tools (ProTool, E-Sys and Ista+) which will no doubt help in the future.

My gut feel is that the Seat Mat Sensor is fine, the fault is occurring further up the line.. There is only one other post I can find online that quotes the same fault code and description and this chap said he solved it by replacing the ACSM module with a used one and having it re-programmed to his car/vin using E-sys.

I have lined up a used ACSM module for a good price ($50 delivered), given the postage to NZ can often take upto 4weeks, I’ve already decided to take a punt on this in case it ends up being the fault.

If the garage determines that the seat mat sensor is at fault, I’ll have an auto electrician perform a bypass or I’ll try a used seat mat sensor to confirm this. Seat mat sensor repair is a couple of thousand dolllars, which is expensive if it doesn’t end up being the issue!

Thanks to everyone who has offered insight or input, I’ll report back once it comes back from the garage on Tuesday

Regards, Jamie

 

Hi Guys, Reporting back with an update. I hope this helps someone someday!

Today the car went into a BM workshop, I'm pleased to say I drove it home without an SRS airbag light.

They initially looked it up on the system (Ista+) and they noted a comment on fault code that said ''Fault not relevant to this model''

Therefore, the BM guys updated the software on the car (which was the original 2013 software). They had hoped that this would do one of the following

A) Clear the fault
OR
B) Update the fault to a more specific fault that could be diagnosed

As part of this software update process, they cleared the faults and it hasn't appeared since. For how long, we will have to wait and see.

The BM Technicians took it for a test drive, they let it go into sleep mode and tested it again. They seem to have high confidence but also said it could re-appear.

I'll provide another update if it returns.

Regards