1994 540i with no passenger airbag?

[Brake_L8]

Got a question for the E34 nerds on here, I thought I knew a lot about the chassis but this is a head-scratcher.

Friend of mine just bought a 1994 540iA. Alpine over Parchment, 117k miles, two owners, looks super nice. The SRS light comes on when starting the car because of course, it's an old BMW.

He tried using a Peake tool and got the E-10 error code (cannot communicate with SRS computer) so started exploring. I looked at the photos he sent a bit more closely, too. It doesn't have a passenger airbag (has the tray in the dash instead). He pulled up the backseat, and there is no SRS computer, either.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171112/1a8fd07e4bff73f64a2c10a0643c018c.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171112/afe9920a8a8aac7c0421aba5122bb97a.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171112/aa168ec43dad709569858b29a88ed469.jpg

What makes me wonder is that you can't even see holes for the studs that poke up to mount the SRS computer to, through the rubber mat here:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171113/d95869aa6861f935b74f36e29eca50ad.jpg

We ran the VIN and the car was built May 4, 1994. The options list does include "passenger airbag." So... what happened here? I know some "1994" MY cars came with no passenger airbag, but I figured those would only have been the ones with a late 1993 build date.

All the VIN tags match between fenders, doors, dash, etc. so my theory of it being in a crash is sort of blown, too.

Any thoughts?

[shogun]

Peake SRS tool does not work on the E34. Also the cheap chinese B800 not.

[Brake_L8]

Peake SRS tool does not work on the E34. Also the cheap chinese B800 not.

Good to know.

Regardless... what's up with the dash and lack of computer? Did BMW manage to locate the SRS computer somewhere else for a random number of cars?

[Viper1313]

Owner here. Thanks for making this post Jake.

What is also really strange is that the VIN states the car is a 1995 (10th digit is S) with a 05/1994 build date. Don’t know if that helps.

I have looked for any cut wires and looked under the mat - I don’t even feel bolt holes where the SRS module would bolt to.

[ross1]

I'm not clear as to when a pass bag was required.
FWIW to help determine, my 7/93 built "1994" did not have a pass airbag, my 10/93 "1994" did

OP, are you sure it's a US spec car?
Would a Euro delivery make any difference?

[Brake_L8]

The "Model" listed when running the VIN is "540i - USA" and production plant is Dingolfing.

Even if Euro Delivery was selected, it'd be a US-spec car I believe.

[Viper1313]

As a law, I don’t think they were mandated until 1998.

[Layne]

On my single-airbag car, the computer is behind the lower left part of the dash, above the driver's left foot. Try looking there.


But if the VIN say passenger airbag, and it isn't there, someone swapped the dash. No great mystery there.

[Brake_L8]

On my single-airbag car, the computer is behind the lower left part of the dash, above the driver's left foot. Try looking there.

But if the VIN say passenger airbag, and it isn't there, someone swapped the dash. No great mystery there.

Swapped dash but with matching VIN? Sounds like a lot of work but could be done, I suppose.

[Viper1313]

Can anyone verify / recommend a tool that will work to diagnose the fault? I have seen some posts talking about Carsoft 6.5 w/ the serial port. I see ebay versions of that for $40 to $50, anyone have luck with that?

[AHenry014]

Dash/vin swap is easy. Ive done it and dont recall an issue swapping over the vin tag. I believe it was just two small metal clips holding it on. My 5/93 has no passenger airbag. The SRS module is under the dash, above the clutch pedal (or where this pedal would be). Youll see a big orange connector. Youll also have two airbag sensors under the hood, one on each strut tower. The later cars didnt have these, and had just the module under the back seat. As far as i knew, the '95 MY cars were the only sure fire ones to get the passenger bag. There are a couple instances ive seen of weird crossover cars, so anythings possible.

[Viper1313]

I am a bit weirded out by all of this, but I don’t think the car has been in a wreck. I can’t find any indication of body or paint work. Every VIN tag I have found matches. I do find it weird the car has a 1995 VIN but none of the 1995 features. Door cards are not bunched leather, rocker panels are black, steering wheel is the pre-1995 style.

[AHenry014]

Its a crossover car. Ive seen a 1995 narrow nose 525i, no skirts but has fender markers which is generally '95 only. Youve got fender markers too but non painted lowers, no skirts, and brake ducts. Brake ducts were specifically for a '94 540i, so it fits. I wouldnt worry too much about it, the car looks great.

[moroza]

On my single-airbag car, the computer is behind the lower left part of the dash, above the driver's left foot. Try looking there.


But if the VIN say passenger airbag, and it isn't there, someone swapped the dash. No great mystery there.

My 4/93 530iT had one airbag and the module under the dash just like Layne's. I think only M50 cars had it under the seat, for whatever reason.

What's the build date of this car according to the door jamb sticker? "Model year" is an idiotic and confusing concept, but that said, the cutoff is usually September, so 5/94 should be a '94. It seems that manufacturers can get exemptions, like my 4/93 being officially a '94, but I'm not aware of this being done for the 94/95 models.

Swapping the VIN plates on the dashboard is trivial once the pad is out. IIRC it just clips in.

[Sir Montalbon]

Just to add to the date info here:

6/93 build '94 530iT: No passenger air bag, orange sensors under hood
9/93 build '94 540iA: Passenger air bag, no orange sensors under hood
6/94 build '95 530iT: Passenger air bag, no orange sensors under hood

[Viper1313]

This car does have the orange sensors under the hood as well.

[84318i]

This car does have the orange sensors under the hood as well.

Orange sensors exist on cars with just driver air bag too, so that doesn't tell you anything lack of passenger airbag .

[Viper1313]

Does anyone have a copy of DIS v44 I could have without having to surf the 7 seas?

[Viper1313]

Thank you all for all of your help. DIS v44 with the TinyADS was able to connect just fine. DIS indicated a code 49 (lamp malfunction) and cleared the code successfully, I will see if it comes back. It found the drivers side airbag, manufacture date 04/1993, who knows.