Black Goo Drip

[CroughtonE32]

Has anybody ever had a line of black goo run out of the orange airbag impact sensor. I have it on both sides. I was told that this silicone stuff is inside the orange square sensor and can drip out over time. Was also told that as long as the airbag light is not on, then they're still working. I was thinking of replacing them but thought I'd check here first. Used from parted out cars..... I could get them both for about fffty dollars. New, they are available and they're $213.00 each. Looking for some input. Thanks
Jeff

[htrdbmr]

I haven't seen the goo, but the plastic connectors on mine are all cracked and broken. Since yours and mine are roughly the same vintage, has it occurred to you that after 27 years the airbag may not even be functional?

[CroughtonE32]

I haven't seen the goo, but the plastic connectors on mine are all cracked and broken. Since yours and mine are roughly the same vintage, has it occurred to you that after 27 years the airbag may not even be functional?

I actually always thought that as long as the Air Bag light on the dash came on when I turned the key and immediately went off when the engine started, the SRS was just fine. I hope to never have to find out if it's working. The car has never been hit. Ten years ago when I did a bare metal paint job, the shop was amazed to find no bondo when the car was stripped. I think I'm going to leave them alone. If the dash light comes on, I'll replace them new. Actually going to wait to see what Eric (Shogun) has to say when he's back from his vacation. I'm sure he's come across leaky Impact Sensors. We'll see. Thanks
Jeff

[unity]

I think what htrbmr means about the airbags is that they infect age/deteriorate. They technically are a maintenance item like a fuel filter. I think they are suppose to be inspected every 5 or 10 years for that reason. So yes, the electronics may check out okay but the physical end of it might be an issue.

As for goo, never saw it on mine yet.

[CroughtonE32]

I think what htrbmr means about the airbags is that they infect age/deteriorate. They technically are a maintenance item like a fuel filter. I think they are suppose to be inspected every 5 or 10 years for that reason. So yes, the electronics may check out okay but the physical end of it might be an issue.

As for goo, never saw it on mine yet.

I understand. This is what the goo looks like. I just noticed it. Amazing how it happened on both sides, exactly at the same time. First picture is what it looks like on the drivers side and the second is with my finger on the goo. I took some of it off with a razor blade. It feels like hard plastic when it comes off, but to drip that far down it must have been soft coming out. Just something I've never seen before.

[unity]

Thats like the stuff that leaks out of very old ballasts/transformers such as used for neon lighting. Weird. I would be very concerned and replace them. They are the sensors after all. I am not sure how the system works on a 7, if one sensor can cause the bag to go off. I know on my Mark VIII it required two sensors to trigger. One airbag sensor and a second frame position sensor to verify body distortion.

[shogun]

If you replace the sensors, better buy new ones, used ones are also 20-30 years old. But of course, new, old stock could be of same age.
Electronics-wise the system should be o.k., as long as the airbag light on the dash comes on when you turn the key and immediately goes off when the engine started.

[CroughtonE32]

That's what I'll do. I'm going to clean it up with a blade, and as long as the lights on the cluster don't change, I'll just keep a watch on it.
Thanks

[CroughtonE32]

So after doing some research, I finally found out exactly what the hell this black goo is, dripping out of my Air Bag impact sensors. Thought I'd post it here in case any of you come across this problem in the future. A guy selling a couple of used sensors gave me this info. After learning this, I'm definitely going for two new ones. List price from BMW is about 235. BavAuto has them for 213. I found them at parts.com for 173. Have to order some other stuff from BavAuto, so I'll see if they match the price. Here's the info. I found it interesting.


The black goo is the insulation that buffers the meter inside - the meter has to move a certain amount at a certain speed to deploy the airbag. If the insulation is lost - there is nothing to prevent the meter from moving and they may deploy with much less impact than the original spec, or if the insulation has turned to "goo" they may not deploy at all. - ever - no mater what hits you.

[SergeBMW]

I think after 25 years, the airbag should be just as funtional as long as the system is kept intact. I've blown airbags from very early cars pushing 25 years without any problems. There recently was an E32 for sale for parts with front end damage, seller said it happened a week before the crash, airbag was deployed. He said it saved his life.
That said I've gotta bring mine to the dealer to have the light reset as once I had disconnected the plug with the battery connected, big mistake. I was in a rush that time.

Jeff id say replace those with the new ones, it's got me thinking of replacing mine just as a preventative maintenance option now that I've seen this.

[shogun]

is that Impact sensor 65778350075 ? http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...74#65778350075

After you have replaced them, break the old one open and show us the innards on a pic, just out of interest how they look inside.

[CroughtonE32]

That is the part number and when the old ones come off, I'll send them to you. Then you and your "Wrenching Buddies" can tear them apart the right way.....like you guys played with my burnt up shift selector. That was a beauty.

[shogun]

No need to send, just cut it open and make a pic, not dangerous, after it has been disconnected from the airbag system.

[m60power]

That is weird. Good info. I haven't noticed that on my e34 or e32s, but I just checked and it looks like there is slight seepage from the sensor casing:


20171222_221655[1].jpg

[CroughtonE32]

I think after 25 years, the airbag should be just as funtional as long as the system is kept intact. I've blown airbags from very early cars pushing 25 years without any problems. There recently was an E32 for sale for parts with front end damage, seller said it happened a week before the crash, airbag was deployed. He said it saved his life.
That said I've gotta bring mine to the dealer to have the light reset as once I had disconnected the plug with the battery connected, big mistake. I was in a rush that time.

Jeff id say replace those with the new ones, it's got me thinking of replacing mine just as a preventative maintenance option now that I've seen this.

Actually Serge, it was Peter who noticed the drip when we were doing the Cat two weeks ago. I didn't tell him yet, but I have a few little things for him to do after the first of the year. By then I'll have two new sensors, and I'll have him replace them. Even Pete never saw that before, and he's got almost 20 years at Vista and 15 years at his own shop. I guess the longer I keep this car, the more crazy stuff will show up. Glad I have this forum to share, as my wife can only listen to so much about my E32.

- - - Updated - - -

That is weird. Good info. I haven't noticed that on my e34 or e32s, but I just checked and it looks like there is slight seepage from the sensor casing:


20171222_221655[1].jpg

Something to keep your eye on. Sometimes there are things you just don't look at no matter how many times you have the hood up.

[CroughtonE32]

Finally got two new crash sensors from Germany. Next week we'll install them as well as a new blower motor. It's starting to act up.