airbag light on

[neoman]

guys . i took out my instrument cluster so i could change a bulb. i didn't open it or anything as all the bulbs are plugged into the back. i had to plug out all the wires the are in the back so that i could get the cluster out from behind the steering wheel. anyway i replaced the bulb and plugged everything back in. now when i start the car the airbag light stays on for about 3 mins and eventually goes out. Does anybody know what the problem might be?
it's in the white 525 below

[carspainc.com]

when you unplugg the cluster without disconnecting the battery, you will cause a fault in the airbag system. htat needs to be reset by the dealer. don't think that if you take the light bulb out you'll be safe, there is a little diode that will still come on. don't ask how, i just know:mad

and for future referrence... always disconnect the battery, if you play with the electrics. i had to learn it the same way you just did

[neoman]

how does the dealer reset it? somebody must know how. i don't want to go near them because they're wankers

[Binjammin]

Disconnect your battery at both terminals, touch the terminals together. This should clear the SRS codes IIRC. BTW, what white 525? You've got a black 5 and a white m3... :dunno

[elock]

Disconnect your battery at both terminals, touch the terminals together. This should clear the SRS codes IIRC. BTW, what white 525? You've got a black 5 and a white m3... :dunno

Binjammin, are you sure about that trick? My SRS light has been on since I bought my '95 525i and I decided to just leave it that way 'cause I don't want to pay a dealer $100 to reset it and I don't want to buy a Peake reset tool. If you're sure your trick works I'll give it a try. First, clarify for me. You said to touch the terminals together. Did you mean to touch the cable ends together? Or am I totally confused?

[andrewcconti]

I just replaced the battery in Touring #2 today and the SRS light came on after I hooked up the new battery.

[Binjammin]

Binjammin, are you sure about that trick? My SRS light has been on since I bought my '95 525i and I decided to just leave it that way 'cause I don't want to pay a dealer $100 to reset it and I don't want to buy a Peake reset tool. If you're sure your trick works I'll give it a try. First, clarify for me. You said to touch the terminals together. Did you mean to touch the cable ends together? Or am I totally confused?

No, not sure. I believe I read it somewhere. It will clear the ECU, I believe I read that it will clear the srs too. What the hell, it couldn't hurt and will only take ten minutes to try.

[chr9984]

Binjammin, are you sure about that trick? My SRS light has been on since I bought my '95 525i and I decided to just leave it that way 'cause I don't want to pay a dealer $100 to reset it and I don't want to buy a Peake reset tool. If you're sure your trick works I'll give it a try. First, clarify for me. You said to touch the terminals together. Did you mean to touch the cable ends together? Or am I totally confused?
If you r going to try it pls tell us what results you ll have because i'll never heared this before
thanks m8

[neoman]

lol why don't you try it first? I have a reset tool for the service lights will that do anything or is the peake a different one?

I don't know where my white one went to admin must have erased it on me???

[Qsilver7]

Er, uh...this is the SRS (suplemental restraint system) light that's on...not the CEL (check engine light) or SES (service engine soon) light.

Because of the safety issues involved with the SRS (airbag system)...when a fault is detected...and the light illuminates...you can't just reset the light by shorting your battery cables together. :) There's too much liability involved with this system for someone to be able to "trick" it after it's been set off.

You will have to deal with the dealer...an INDY that has the specific tool (or a DIY'er that's purchased one) to reset this light. But first, the sensor or reason that set the light off must be fixed...if not...when you reset it...it will illuminate again thus wasting you money.

When you take your car to the dealer to reset a SRS light...it will be hooked up to BMW's diagnostic equipment and the fault code read. When the reason for the fault is fixed, then they will reset the light.

[andrewcconti]

the SRS light comes on? and must be reset with a tool?

[Qsilver7]

So if I understand correctly every time a battery is changed in a e34 the SRS light comes on? and must be reset with a tool?

No, if your SRS light came on...something else is wrong. If you have diagnostic equipment, hook it up to see which sensor set the fault...changing your battery should NOT set of the SRS.

If you inadvertantly had one of the orange connectors around the car disconnected while the battery was being connected/disconnected...then that would be a reason for the SRS to be set off. Or if one of the orange connectors on the car has fallen apart (which they do after a decade has gone by).

The only time you can safely disconnect any of the sensors and wires in the diagram below is AFTER you've disconnected the battery...and they MUST be reconnected BEFORE you return power to the car: http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HJ63&mospid=47414&btnr=65_1098&hg=65&fg=65

http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/diagrams/c/t/11.png

[carspainc.com]

ok lets try this again
by taking out the panel without the battery being disconnected, a fault is caused in the srs system. it needs to be reset at a dealer.
or one could do what i did take the light bulb out and with a little help of needle nosed pliers brake the diode inside the panel. then one day when i get the thing reset i'll disconnect the battery and put the light bulb back in.

[andrewcconti]

Hmmmm my low fuel light was on. So I went and got gas and after putting in fuel and starting the car the SRS light went out. LOL!

I know they are NOT related, no way, no how. I guess the message is my SRS light is now operating properly after yesterdays battery replacement so I am happy. Who knows why or how...

[neoman]

there is no problem with my srs system so no point in hooking it up a diagnostics machine. i just pulled the cables to change a bulb as half my instrument display is in darkness. i should have disconected the battery i now know. i'll just pull the bulb out i guess. not getting charged 200 dollars for putting it on a diagnostics machine. theives charge 120 euro over here in ireland. i have the reset tool for the service lights will this reset it ..no??

[RicoUK]

how does the dealer reset it? somebody must know how. i don't want to go near them because they're wankers


Amen..!

[HausBimmer]

I'm not sure that the Peake tool works on older e34's. There is a diagnostic software section to this board and the bootleg, eBay CARSOFT 6.5 tool and software works for this purpose. Maybe you could check there and see if anyone in your area has SRS reset software. The dianostics will tell the problem and then your can repair if needed and reset until the problem goes away.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=233