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Passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor – disabling via coding or plug-in bypass?

7.1K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  kajer  
#1 ·
I have a health condition that requires me to use a gel seat pad and sit partially reclined. This causes the weight sensor mat in the passenger seat to register it is empty and in turn disable the passenger airbag. There's nothing I can do with my seating position or the cushion, but want airbag protection.

I've seen that older 3 – series had problems with the passenger occupancy sensor mat and the aftermarket supply to fix in the form of a plug-in bypass that would mimic the signal from a properly functioning sensor.

Has anyone seen such a thing for the F10 cars – – or could this sensor be disabled using coding?
 
#3 ·
Sensor is good. Did extensive testing with the help of my great dealer and a BMW engineer. I'm light enough and the position and pad distribute enough weight to elsewhere on the seat that it doesn't register as occupied.

Now looking for unofficial fixes.
 
#5 ·
BMW has been very helpful and willing to spend time on it. Just wanting to see if a quick and easy solution is already available via the aftermarket.

If anyone has seen seat sensor simulators for the F10 that are similar to those common for the late model 3-series do tell.
 
#6 ·
Occasionally the little dog will go to work with me, and him on his towel on the front seat will cause the seatbelt reminder to chime until I buckle the belt. (the dog is ~15 pounds)

I'm not sure about the airbag, but I had to disable the passenger seatbelt reminder. I disabled the initial reminder with coding, but about 2-3 minutes in to driving, the chime comes back and WILL NOT STOP until the belt is buckled. I'll have to disable it entirely next time I code.