Air bag light after door handle replacement.

[RedBirdin96]

I had a broken inside door handle that I had to replace. In doing so I had the side airbag unified and turned the key to the second position so that I could roll the window up and down to look at something else. I was not thinking about the airbag being unplugged. Now my airbag light is on. Is it just a code that needs to be reset or will it reset itself if I disconnect the battery for a certain amount of time?

Thanks,
Kevin

[RuskiE39]

I think you need to take it to a dealership to have them reset it..

[edjack]

... or buy a reset tool from ebaY or Peake. Cheaper than a dealer visit.

[tommramon]

My Peake srs re-set tool has never worked, I have tried following their instructions and still no good, anybody else have this problem. This on my E39 and E46. I've driven around with this light on for so long it no longer bothers me. Damn !

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And now on my E60 as well.

[Spirit Force]

My Peake srs re-set tool has never worked, I have tried following their instructions and still no good, anybody else have this problem. This on my E39 and E46. I've driven around with this light on for so long it no longer bothers me. Damn !

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And now on my E60 as well.

And the error codes are? You can't reset before you fix the issue(s).

[Stück]

The Peake tool is junk.

You need a real diagnostic tool.

[sealbeach740]

On a similar subject - does anyone know if the airbag light is on, do the airbags still function normally?

I've heard (don't know if it's true) that if the airbag light is on, the airbags won't deploy in a crash.....

[Qsilver7]

...I've heard (don't know if it's true) that if the airbag light is on, the airbags won't deploy in a crash.....
SB...non-deployment when SRS light is illuminated...for the record is INCORRECT! Probably because the line in the owners manual (that's highlighted below) isn't clear to some, or misinterpreted to mean the opposite of how the system works:


http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/Air%20Bag%20SRS%20Warning.jpg

An example of the "normal response range" would be for the front passenger seat air bag to NOT deploy if no one is sitting in the seat. If the SRS light is illuminated and the vehicle is involved in a frontal crash an NO ONE is sitting in the front seat, then the air bag will deploy any way (not the normal response)...in this case erring on the side of safety...in case someone is actually sitting in the seat.

You can see what the info in the BMW MRS (multiple restraint system) says about the various thresholds for air bag deployment...those with single-stage air bags operate the same way, except without the additional stages for lower impact thresholds:


http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/Air%20Bag%20Deployment%20when%20SRS%20-%20MRS%20Light%20is%20Illuminated.jpg

[sealbeach740]

Thanks, Q. I did read the owner's manual on the airbag, but that alone (at least in my mind) didn't really answer my question (what is responding to a normal range mean anyways?). But when you added the info from the MRS (I've been a BMW owner for over 25 years now) & I've never even heard of an MRS manual.
But, when you added that info, that answered my question. And, that makes total sense, as BMW chose the safest route to take when there is/was issues with the airbag system. Good info to know!

[Spirit Force]

Thanks, Q. I did read the owner's manual on the airbag, but that alone (at least in my mind) didn't really answer my question (what is responding to a normal range mean anyways?). But when you added the info from the MRS (I've been a BMW owner for over 25 years now) & I've never even heard of an MRS manual.
But, when you added that info, that answered my question. And, that makes total sense, as BMW chose the safest route to take when there is/was issues with the airbag system. Good info to know!

Qsilver is right about how it behaves if the passenger seat occupancy sensor is bad, but the light could also mean there is an issue with the connection to a airbag/belt tensioner -> that airbag/belt tensioner might not deploy in a crash to due connection issue. So nobody can tell you with 100% certainty what will happen in a crash with the airbag light on, if you don't know what issue the SRS system is reporting. So I would advice anyone with a airbag light on to atleast check the codes ASAP (if your interested in satefy). If it's just a passenger seat occupancy sensor, it won't prevent airbag/belt tensioner deployment, but a connection issue to airbag/belt tensioner might.

[Qsilver7]

SB, you replied before my final "edit" (gotta give this old brain time). :) I always reread my message before posting, but many times its not until it's been posted that I see the incorrect spelling (there/their, your/you're' your/you, to/two/too' brake/break, etc)...or worse, rereading after posting...and finding that the intent or wording doesn't come across as what I really was trying to say. Especially when I then remember who I was answering & how long they've been around (someone like you), and if it's written so that others reading it can also understand it even if they are new to the forum or familiar with the subject matter or vernacular.

[Spirit Force]

SB, you replied before my final "edit" (gotta give this old brain time). :) I always reread my message before posting, but many times its not until it's been posted that I see the incorrect spelling (there/their, your/you're' your/you, to/two/too' brake/break, etc)...or worse, rereading after posting...and finding that the intent or wording doesn't come across as what I really was trying to say. Especially when I then remember who I was answering & how long they've been around (someone like you), and if it's written so that others reading it can also understand it even if they are new to the forum or familiar with the subject matter or vernacular.

I just tought I'll make it absolute clear to anyone reading this thread that airbag light is an safety issue and should be treated as such. Some seem to think the airbag light just an annoyance and don't consider what might happen in a crash, if the airbag(s) won't deploy.

[sealbeach740]

Q - no worries from this end.

I have been around BMWs for quite a while, and I do know a lot about them. However, I am smart enough to also know there's a LOT that I've still got to learn about them. This is one of those threads where I do learn something that helps expand my knowledge base (or my internal rolodex, like you like like to call it!).

I'm very much old school, and if/when I have/had an airbag light on, my first priority would be to get the fault corrected, then the airbag light reset & THEN drive the car. Only way I'd be comfortable cruising in my car is without that airbag light on (safe or not).

As always, I appreciate the input. And, Spirit Force, I agree. Even if the manual said "airbags work fine even with the airbag light on", I wouldn't trust it.

[Qsilver7]

... the light could also mean there is an issue with the connection to a airbag/belt tensioner -> that airbag/belt tensioner might not deploy in a crash to due connection issue. So nobody can tell you with 100% certainty what will happen in a crash with the airbag light on...

In most cases, owners are inquiring as to the operation of the air bags when the light is illuminated, and not if the belt tensioners is defective...which normally tightens the belt to keep the occupant from moving forward. But you raise a good point. The system should be diagnosed to determine which sensor(s) has registered a fault. Im sure no one wants to be in an accident and suffer from the failure of a belt tensioner or air bag or other SRS/MRS component.

But BMW's design still falls to the side of safety...see the text highlighted in green (at the very bottom). If the seat belt tensioner is defective, then the air bag will deploy as if someone was sitting UNBELTED in the passenger seat...which means in the dual stage system, the air bag is going to deploy at the fastest speed (no delay) regardless of the normal operating range, which would take into consideration severity of the crash and if the person is belted or not...and the single stage system will also deploy the air bag even if the seat belt tensioner is defective. :)

[Spirit Force]

In most cases, owners are inquiring as to the operation of the air bags when the light is illuminated, and not if the belt tensioners is defective...which normally tightens the belt to keep the occupant from moving forward. But you raise a good point. The system should be diagnosed to determine which sensor(s) has registered a fault. Im sure no one wants to be in an accident and suffer from the failure of a belt tensioner or air bag or other SRS/MRS component.

But BMW's design still falls to the side of safety...see the text highlighted in green (at the very bottom). If the seat belt tensioner is defective, then the air bag will deploy as if someone was sitting UNBELTED in the passenger seat...which means in the dual stage system, the air bag is going to deploy at the fastest speed (no delay) regardless of the normal operating range, which would take into consideration severity of the crash and if the person is belted or not...and the single stage system will also deploy the air bag even if the seat belt tensioner is defective. :)

I know it errs on the side of safety, but it can't overcome malfuctioning air bag/seat belt tensioner. Either one could save you/your passenger from a serious injury in a bad crash. That is something that anyone driving with the airbag light on should consider. It might not affect just the safety of the driver, but also the passengers. I wouldn't feel too good if a relative/friend got injured in a crash due to SRS system not fuction as it should have.

[Qsilver7]

...it can't overcome malfuctioning air bag/seat belt tensioner. Either one could save you/your passenger from a serious injury in a bad crash. . . I wouldn't feel too good if a relative/friend got injured in a crash due to SRS system not fuction as it should have.


The system should be diagnosed to determine which sensor(s) has registered a fault. Im sure no one wants to be in an accident and suffer from the failure of a belt tensioner or air bag or other SRS/MRS component.

We are on the same page. :)

[RedBirdin96]

I have one follow up question to my original post. When I was reassembling the door panel, there was one wire (2 wire with a plug) that I could not find where to plug it in. The plug was at the front of the door and looked like it should plug into the component that appears to be part of the audio system (where other speakers in door plug in). I checked that all my speakers and buttons function so I thought maybe it was a random wire that is placed in all cars, but only used with certain options like maybe a DSP equipped stereo. I neglected to take a picture, but if I have this week I will pull the panel back off and take a quick picture. just wondered if anyone can confirm if this wire is truly not necessary? I definitely plugged the air bag back in, but didn't know if this wire was potentially some sensor related to the air bag system and with it being unplugged that is why the light is on.

Thanks again,
Kevin

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Does anyone have experience with this tool or similar for resetting the air bag light?

http://dx.com/p/b200-bmw-airbag-srs-scan-reset-tool-35188?tc=USD&gclid=CJTsxZCv-7sCFclaMgodcA0Apg

-Kevin

[RedBirdin96]

Here is the plug that I could not figure out where it goes. It is the yellow 2-pin plug in the pictures. As stated before everything appears to work, just want to confirm this isn't related to the air bag light before I get the code cleared.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/14/aqaru8y9.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/14/syhane7u.jpg

[BMWPlanetDude]

Here is the plug that I could not figure out where it goes. It is the yellow 2-pin plug in the pictures. As stated before everything appears to work, just want to confirm this isn't related to the air bag light before I get the code cleared.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/14/aqaru8y9.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/14/syhane7u.jpg

doesn't plug into the airbag by any chance?

[rf900rkw]

doesn't plug into the airbag by any chance?


No, That's not the right type of plug. All SRS plugs have anti-static shorting legs built in.

[BMWPlanetDude]

No, That's not the right type of plug. All SRS plugs have anti-static shorting legs built in.

Ok cheers.
Then if everything is reconnected you just need a reset OP