E36 M3 air bag light

[e46tknv]

I have a 98 m3 and have an airbag light. My PA soft scanner says its an error for "Analog status belt lock, passenger". I sprayed it with MAF cleaner since I did not have electric contact cleaner. I cleared it, drove around for the day and it came back 1-2 days later. I also took an air hose to blow out any dirt that can be in there and that didnt fix anything.

What would cause this error?

my current seat setup is Corbeau racing seats. I have the seat occupancy sensor airbag emulator. I know this error code I am getting is not the same code I got when I didnt have the emulator.
Is there a defect in the belt buckle? Please help.

thank you

[e46tknv]

Bump

[flyfishvt]

Chances are it's the switch in the passenger seat belt latch. Best bet is to replace the latch assembly. You'll have to remove the seat. Make sure you get the correct seat belt latch. You need one from a 98-99 e36. They redesigned it midway through 97 production. The earlier version looks different and it won't work on your car.

[e46tknv]

Thanks flyflish. Was really hoping I didn't need to replace this damn belt buckle.

[flyfishvt]

Thanks flyflish. Was really hoping I didn't need to replace this damn belt buckle.

It's very easy. 4 bolts hold the seat in the car. 1 bolt holds the buckle assembly onto the seat. Should be able to puck up a used buckle assembly for $20.

[shogun]

Just for info, as you have a 1998 M3, same like mine:
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW recall/defect on 1998 BMW M3 Build Years/Makes/Models: 1997 - 1999 BMW M3 UNits affected: 16749 Recall Number: 99V063001

Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH A SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONSISTING OF DOOR-MOUNTED THORAX AIR BAGS (REAR DOOR AIR BAGS ARE OPTIONAL), A CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, LEFT AND RIGHT SATELLITE IMPACT SENSORS, AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS SYSTEM IS UNDULY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BST) COULD ALSO ACTIVATE, DISCONNECTING THE STARTER CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. IN THIS CASE, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN, BUT AFTER STOPPING, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.

Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 7, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
--------------------
I bought the car 5 years ago, was never done till I found the recall info, went to the dealer here in Japan and it was done immy free of charge. As my car is a U.S. spec car, they had no info on this in Japan.

[e46tknv]

It's very easy. 4 bolts hold the seat in the car. 1 bolt holds the buckle assembly onto the seat. Should be able to puck up a used buckle assembly for $20.

I wish it was $20. These days people sell for $50 which I will pay.

And for the other comment. It's just a faulty belt buckle. I've replaced the belt buckles before. Long story.

[Tom44]

Looking to reset my SRS/Airbag light on a 1995 e36 M3. It’s a 09/94 build.

I’ve heard of people using the b800 tool to do the reset but is this applicable with an obd1 car? I’m assuming I would purchase one with the obd1 adapter.

See these all over on Amazon so curious which one is best to get.

Outzone B800 SRS Reset Scanner BMW Airbag Scan Reset Tool OBDII Diagnostic Repair Tool for DIY BMW Owner Fit BMWs E36/E46/E34/E38/Z3/X5/X3 Manufactured Between 1994 and 2003 https://a.co/d/asgfAD2

[shogun]

B800 works on my 02/98 E36 M3, it "might" also work on your 09/94 1995 model, you have to test it, usually and also as mentioned in your link they state: Compatible - Models available for most BMWs built between 1994 and 2003 like ALL variants in E36/E46/E34/E38/E39/Z3/Z4/X5. But it doesn't work with 2001 BMW 330i.
The adapter is included in the scope of supply, see pics in the offer in your link. It does definitely not work on models before 1994, apparently different airbag modules installed.

Electric parts airbag
Control unit airbag, uncoded 65778374821 Sep '93 - ...
Control unit airbag, uncoded 65778374821 Sep '93 - ...
Control unit airbag, uncoded 65778374798 Sep '96 - Sep '98
Control unit airbag, uncoded 65778386131 Sep '96 - ...

[Boltz]

Looking to reset my SRS/Airbag light on a 1995 e36 M3. It’s a 09/94 build.

I’ve heard of people using the b800 tool to do the reset but is this applicable with an obd1 car? I’m assuming I would purchase one with the obd1 adapter.

See these all over on Amazon so curious which one is best to get.

Outzone B800 SRS Reset Scanner BMW Airbag Scan Reset Tool OBDII Diagnostic Repair Tool for DIY BMW Owner Fit BMWs E36/E46/E34/E38/Z3/X5/X3 Manufactured Between 1994 and 2003 https://a.co/d/asgfAD2

You can literally just order a cable including adapter from ***** website and download INPA from here, and you'll be good to go. All for under 20 bucks. Don't know why people bother with actual scanners on e36 (besides ABS, that doesn't work with INPA)

edit: and if I straight up write aliexpress.com, would that be allowed?

[SIIDEWAYS]

You can literally just order a cable including adapter from ***** website and download INPA from here, and you'll be good to go. All for under 20 bucks. Don't know why people bother with actual scanners on e36 (besides ABS, that doesn't work with INPA)

edit: and if I straight up write aliexpress.com, would that be allowed?

Why even bother? This airbag light is probably the most ubiquitous issue on our E36 M3s. No matter what you do, the light will keep on coming back. I just yanked the bulb, problem permanently solved!

[Tom44]

Replying to my own post. But I did in fact order the linked scan tool and cleared the codes. So on my 09/94 build M3, the SRS light is now off and has stayed off for the past 50 miles or so.

I had a low voltage code. It’s been on since I purchased the car, so I’m assuming it had a low battery at some point that triggered the SRS light.

Hope this helps someone out.

[shogun]

Why even bother? This airbag light is probably the most ubiquitous issue on our E36 M3s. No matter what you do, the light will keep on coming back. I just yanked the bulb, problem permanently solved!

that you might work where you live, where I live they are checking the airbag light in the roadworthy/safety inspection every 2 years. Airbag light must go on with ignition on and then go off, if no light at all or if it always stays on, my car will not pass the inspection and will not get a sticker = not allowed to drive. Besides that, it will not make any car safer to tamper with airbag systems.

[SIIDEWAYS]

Well that's a bummer for you. It's bad enough we have periodic smog checks, definitely don't need regulators to also enforce "airbag light checks". Anyway, it's just a bulb, and besides, I removed my airbag altogether by replacing the factory steering wheel with MTech II baby!