2008 750Li Seat Belt and Airbag lights on with a warning message

[Wolfgheist]

My 2008 750Li with 40k miles has the Seat Belt and Airbag lights on with a warning message.

On the main instrument panel it flashes with:
- Restraint systems!
- Front pass. restraint system fault!
- Driver restraint system fault!
- Restraint Systems!


On the information/control panel it flashes with:
Fault in pass.-restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. Fasten and continue to wear belts. Please contact the nearest BMW center.


What can I do to isolate and fix the problem? I have an OBDLink MX Wi Fi reader, but it shows that there are zero trouble codes so apparently the seat belt portion is not accessible. I was going to clear the codes and see if they reappear since I have read that these warnings can happen after a low or changed battery.

[Platinum4Life]

I had a similar error - but it was on my E38. It turned out that there is a sensor in the seat belt clips that can fail. I replaced the passenger seat belt clip and the problem was resolved.

[Wolfgheist]

I had a similar error - but it was on my E38. It turned out that there is a sensor in the seat belt clips that can fail. I replaced the passenger seat belt clip and the problem was resolved.

Were you getting the error message for both the driver and the passenger like I am, or only the passenger? What did you replace? the Buckle side of the seat belt?

[abiserz]

Any luck fixing the problem? I have similar error:
"Driver restraint system fault!" Belt tensioner or belt-force limiter fault - the airbag light is illuminated yellow, e65 2007 750li

I was thinking of buying a seat occupancy mat bypass sensor on eBay but that doesn't appear to be the problem here. The best bet might be to clean the connections and see if that fixes the problem.

[White94RX]

Why don't you have the codes read out instead of guessing at the problem?

[mandd]

Why don't you have the codes read out instead of guessing at the problem?

This!!!

[jclausen]

We have been seeing air bag tensioner faults in e60's, when the alternator is tested the charging voltage is dropping to 13 then up to 14 volts and the ac leakage has been very high. Replacing the alternator with a factory one has cured the issue. Of course diagnostics were performed