E36 Airbag warning light...

[Handlebar]

I was getting ready to take my son's car for emissions/safety inspection and I realized his airbag light is on.

Any suggestions on next steps to verify there is a problem, or what steps to take to fix this?

I tried to verify the light was actually warning me since my son started wrenching a little bit. I tried using a OBD2 reader at Autozone, but it just told me '1 code' and '5 codes' - not what the codes were, nor any details. I also tried using a fancy Bluetooth OBD2 reader with some phone apps. A couple apps gave some info on performance info, but no apps gave me info on error or fault codes.

I have a feeling this won't pass an inspection - and may not be safe, if left alone - I appreciate suggestions or directions immensely.

[Goggles Paesano]

The airbag light is n/a in md for state inspection. However a cheap diagnostic tool can be bought on ebay.

[Jazzbass]

You may have to use a BMW specific scan tool that connects to the big round underhood port to read this code. If you can drive it to my house I can read the code for you.

[Handlebar]

You may have to use a BMW specific scan tool that connects to the big round underhood port to read this code. If you can drive it to my house I can read the code for you.

I will see what I can do on my schedule - I am in Virginia (Dulles airport/Herndon area), so I will plan ahead - thanks!

[hberwald]

I have one. Sold the car so it is available if you want. $50?
hberwald@msn.com

[BeerBurner]

Our E36 airbag light periodically lights up due to a flaky seat occupancy sensor so I bought a Peak tool for it. Feel free to stop by and scan the codes as well as turn the light off. It may very well just stay off for a while. :)

BB.

[ChaosRogue]

I had the same issue with my E46. It had something to do with a faulty sensor in the seatbelt latch of all things. To fix it, they basically had to cut out a chunk of the wiring harness and replace it. It was a complete pain in the ass. Hopefully yours won't be so bad.

Best of luck!

[John Clay]

My E36 that was passed on to cmartin a while back had the airbag light also. I tried a few fixes without success. Not my problem anymore. :)

[Goggles Paesano]

The cluster is held in by 2 screws on the bezel, and a couple screws on the cluster itself. Pop out the light bulb and problem solved. The e36 airbag light comes on when the wind blows, so even moving the seat can trigger it. ignore it unless it really matters to you.

[Handlebar]

The cluster is held in by 2 screws on the bezel, and a couple screws on the cluster itself. Pop out the light bulb and problem solved. The e36 airbag light comes on when the wind blows, so even moving the seat can trigger it. ignore it unless it really matters to you.

It mattered to the Virginia inspector, so I guess it needs to matter to me now...

Our E36 airbag light periodically lights up due to a flaky seat occupancy sensor so I bought a Peak tool for it. Feel free to stop by and scan the codes as well as turn the light off. It may very well just stay off for a while. :)

BB.

Sweet! You are in Sterling? That is right around the corner. I will see if we can set a time that works, then check with Jazz if I need to delve further.

[Goggles Paesano]

It mattered to the Virginia inspector, so I guess it needs to matter to me now...



Sweet! You are in Sterling? That is right around the corner. I will see if we can set a time that works, then check with Jazz if I need to delve further.
MY bad. I thought it was maryland. I lazily didnt read your location.

[BeerBurner]

Sweet! You are in Sterling? That is right around the corner. I will see if we can set a time that works, then check with Jazz if I need to delve further.

Yup! I live near the Loudoun NOVA campus.

BB.

[Trak Ratt]

I had the same issue with our 996. Cleared code with ScanTool, then used a seatbelt extension in belt buckle to get it through inspection.

[arob]

Ken - if you haven't gotten a hold of the Peak tool yet, I've got one in Reston/Herndon (Fox Mill). I'm WFH today as well, so feel free to swing by.

[turkis_tii]

Bought one off eBay for around $50 several years ago, well worth having one since airbag light comes on periodically (like moving seats forward) as mentioned above, also does a full system scan/reset. It's a CreatDor (?) C310 and comes with the circular connector for E36s.
-John



Ken - if you haven't gotten a hold of the Peak tool yet, I've got one in Reston/Herndon (Fox Mill). I'm WFH today as well, so feel free to swing by.

[jbse39]

I had the same problem with my 97 M3. My indy shop read the code and confirmed it was the occupancy sensor. I ended up using sensor bypass from eBay (~$15-$20) and removed the code using INPA program.

[B r i a n]

I just experienced the Airbag light issue on my 2005 X3 - closing in on 140K miles.
10 year on son sat in the front passenger seat the other day and airbag light came on - never went off.
Today i put the seat up high and "played" around with the airbag connector (did not disconnect) underneath the seat, and it went off (knock on wood) VA safety inspection is next month. I am guessing connector connections are oxidizing a bit.

[turkis_tii]

If this is due to either the passenger seat occupancy sensor (E46 and later) or the passenger seat belt latch (E36), there are easy and very cheap ($2 at Radio Shack) fixes online. On my E36, after disconnecting the battery, I pulled the seat belt latch electrical connector that's under the passenger seat and jumped it with a 100-Ohm resister. IIRC, the E46 takes a 47K-Ohm resister; search e46fanatics.com. Then use the reset tool to clear the fault.

By the way, I'll sell my scan tool for $25, I sold my E36.

[B r i a n]

If this is due to either the passenger seat occupancy sensor (E46 and later) or the passenger seat belt latch (E36), there are easy and very cheap ($2 at Radio Shack) fixes online. On my E36, after disconnecting the battery, I pulled the seat belt latch electrical connector that's under the passenger seat and jumped it with a 100-Ohm resister. IIRC, the E46 takes a 47K-Ohm resister; search e46fanatics.com. Then use the reset tool to clear the fault.

By the way, I'll sell my scan tool for $25, I sold my E36.

John,
Thanks for the info, I will take you up on the scan tool - I am sure I will need it at some point. I'll PM you next time I am up near Gaithersburg, my sons play soccer so I am usually up there a couple times a season on the weekends.
-Brian