96 Z3 Instrument panel lights stay on, ABS, air bag and hazzard

[TexasGrand]

These lights stay on after the car is started. Have a photo but don't see how to post. What is the best way to troubleshoot this issue?

[z3forlife]

Check the diagnostic thread one page back for the hardware and software you'll need to build a code scanner. You will need it in the future

[Vintage42]

These lights stay on after the car is started. Have a photo but don't see how to post. What is the best way to troubleshoot this issue?

You have to be a member awhile to post photos. It would improve the quality of responses to know how many miles on the car, how long you have had it, when the problem started, and what if anything you were doing around the time it started.

Could be the ABS sensor needs cleaning:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...3&postcount=10

Could be the steering angle sensor needs resetting:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=912503

Could be the ABS pump module:
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...BS-Pump-Module

Could be the ABS controller:
"... the ABS/ASC lights would come on and stay on for a day or so and then go off... stayed on for a day and then off for a day and then back on and so on... The code stored said the ABS pump was faulty. But both he and I agreed that the code was bogus and that the problem was probably the ABS controller."
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...=diy+asc%2Fabs

The hazard warning light on the console should only stay lit when pushed and the lights are flashing. So your switch is pushed down and locked there, but the lights are not flashing? Pull the switch and check its connections and wires and fuse. There is also a crash sensor module that goes through the switch to activate the hazard lights. It is in the driver footwell above the side kick panel.

[LannVouivre]

If the hazard switch can be activated by a crash sensor and OP's airbag light is staying lit, that could be more than a coincidence.

Without checking and sharing actual DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes), this becomes a game of blindfolded darts. All DTCs currently present should be shared regardless of whether they seem relevant.

[328 Power 04]

I think he may mean the traction control light, as the "hazard light". If equipped on a 96.
Get it scanned.

No steering angle sensor on this old model.

[Vintage42]

These lights stay on after the car is started. Have a photo but don't see how to post...

Did you just buy a high miles 1.9 and have no history?
Do you have an Owners Manual to give the correct name to the lights? If you need a manual, PM me with your email and I can send you a PDF manual.

[JKuhn]

I think he may mean the traction control light, as the "hazard light". If equipped on a 96.
Get it scanned.

No steering angle sensor on this old model.

This.

Is it the warning triangle with a circular arrow? If so, that's traction control. It seems to me that the TC and ABS lights like to go on together when there's a problem with the system. First of all, this might sound like a stupid question, but did you check the tyre pressure? I had bad valves on mine, and when one wheel went almost flat the ABS and ASC disabled.

I can't say why your airbag light is on, but on mine the drivers seat wiring is off. I suspect that's why mine is on, since the seat has a pyrotechnic tensioner (it pulls the buckle down, tightening the belt). It does seem to me like these old Z3s like to have the airbag light on.

EDIT: If you want to share a picture but can't, just upload it elsewhere and post a link. It's not ideal, but it's better than nothing.

[LannVouivre]

Clean the tensioner and buckle latch, JKuhn.

[JKuhn]

Like I said, the seat isn't connected. Fixing it just isn't a priority.