E39 525i Sport Airbag Ecu Replacement

[EMsport]

Hey everyone
Before anyone asks I did search but couldnt really get a clear answer to this specific question
After numerous times trying to reset the airbag light it's constantly on now and after reading the codes I got
F0 Internal Control Unit fault
So basically my airbag module went on vacation and it doesn't look like he will be returning to work...ever .
I decided to get a price from BMW in Melbourne and it's come to a grand total of $3462 plus tax no warranty and no returns for some reason. So after my heartbeat and blood pressure returned to normal I searched realoem with my VIN
The part number BMW gave me was 65776997257
However realOEM lists different part numbers.
I just want to clarify that "Exchangeable Retrospectively" means I can fit that part to my vehicle even though it's a different part number?
I'm going to scour eBay find a used unit and get it coded if need be
I just want to make sure I'm ordering the correct part number when I do find one

Here is the link
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...&q=65776900727

Would really appreciate your input on all this

[777300ER]

You can always go with a newer revision of these modules, but let it be known that they can not come from a wrecked car. Find out the part number of your airbag computer and you can go from that one down the list.

[geargrinder]

Yes and no. Bunch of things...

1. It's called the "MRS" module, you can search for that here and elsewhere to help with more info.
2. Yes they do that. If you are l33t h@kz0rz then you can open up one w/ the 'internal error' and reflash the EEPROM with a clean image from a 'good' module. Most people aren't doing that obviously.
3. There was a late E39 change - who knows if it made it to Oz - where they changed to an MRS4 version . If it is a part number listed as an 'exchange' for your specific PN, then you're OK. There's a thread that talks about how to update to MRS4 if you have 3 - it entails swapping a couple of the bags I think. I'll try to post link below.
4. As Trip-Sev says, you don't want to use a version from a big wreck that's got a triggered flag in it, but, that doesn't mean you can't use a junkyard module. You can. Here's the rub: knowing if that eBay junkyard (you use 'breaker' I imagine?) item works and or hasn't been triggered and/or has the same internal error problem. A lotta guys have bought eBay ones only to find them with codes and problems. However I am rolling w/ a used eBay item myself, good luck it worked fine for me. Just coded to my car and has been fine. My old one for no apparent reason started throwing that internal error which is apparently just what they do. Still got it, and have a vague idea that some day if I had a good one in my hand (aka didn't have to take the other one back out again...) I might try dicking around with the rehabilitation flash process.

Heres that MRS4 thread:
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...g-error-coding

[EMsport]

When I rang BMW they gave me the part number which is apparently in the car at the moment 65776997257
Then he said something about it being a short run from 3/1999 through to 2/2001 is that change that you are referring to ?

Real OEM doesn't recognise the part number if I type it in . It only gives me part numbers if I type in my vin as posted in the link
So Exchangeable Retrospectively means that I can fit that part number in place of my old part correct ?

I have found a few sellers that are willing to accept returns but who also say that they are from non crashed vehicles I guess if I were to buy a couple it still wouldn't equate to 3400 dollars and I'd still be ahead .

[geargrinder]

OK. Buckle in. This is interesting/complicated.

So looks like they might be right.. depending on your build date... Up until 2/2001 build date shows that module as legit on other ETK sites.

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/parts/...ce/65776997257

RealOEM shows instead, this number: 65776900727... oddly VERY similar digits but not the same, but same late '99-'01 period. Almost looks like a typo of the other number, but seems like a 'real one' also. I'm guessing those are same/compatible, along with whatever other 'crosses' were out there for either one. Oddly no supercession info etc...

From 02/2001 build dates on, this is the 'current' number for uncoded module - 65776919789, which supercedes a couple other part numbers.


http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=65_0275

So... thoughts...

1. your VIN & build date would be the key thing as to whether that weirdo short-timer part number is even an issue. dealers can be morons, don't blindly trust them. but the guy was right about the 99-01 thing. if your build date falls in that period, you might or might not worry about it at all, if not, then forget it entirely and realize the dealer is not the sharpest tool in the shed.

2. if your build date IS in that window, who knows, the other modules still might work. you can't always trust these things, and sometimes the factory is overly strict about things that work fine. maybe they changed suppliers in that period and for legal liability reasons they want to be sure they don't have any exposure so the spec the same special part for that window only. some people will be ultra cautious on airbag stuff since, hey, its exploding pyrotechnics really and quite dangerous... so... will be up to you if you want to try a later controller anyway.

Just to make it extra fun puzzler, look at this great weird data:

The current / later parts DO swap with the much earlier (pre-03/99) parts... as well as later (post-02/01) parts!? So old and new are interchangeable but not the weirdo middle period?

The "257" part number doesn't show up enough places to find any compatibility/exchange/supercession/'cross' info that i can see.

Part number page for the new "789" part, says no you can't swap it for the middle "727" part.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...789&series=E39

But wait... hey lets look at the middle "727" part... well hey YES, it says you can exchange it for a new "789".

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...&q=65776900727

Well that's just as clear as mud! My guess would be that really you can probably swap all these around but who knows. Maybe if you swap them all the airbags will randomly assplode and kill all the passengers in the car instantly.

(BTW agree w/ the 'why not risk 2-3 cheap used ones vs the massive dealer price...' approach...)

[Qsilver7]

Real OEM doesn't recognise the part number if I type it in . It only gives me part numbers if I type in my vin as posted in the link
So Exchangeable Retrospectively means that I can fit that part number in place of my old part correct ?

To answer the question you asked in bold above...the answer is YES. If you input your VIN into the part database...and when you click on the part nbr search feature...if it gives multiple part nbrs that say "exchangeable retrospectively"...then yes, those part numbers will work. There may have been some slight upgrade/modification...but it doesn't prevent the part from being used outside the date-range listed.

But do be read carefully...the part numbers that say "nonexchangeable retrospectively"...have a specific date range indicated. If your BMW's build date does NOT fall within that date range...then the part DOES NOT work for your application. There's something slightly different either software or hardware wise that make is NOT compatible.

TIPS:

• always search using your VIN which as you've seen, will give more specific details if a part nbr works or not.
• many times (on realoem.com) the diagram will have "grayed-out" number which means they do not work for your VIN
• and if the part number index below the diagram does NOT display a number in the illustration above...it means it DOES NOT fit your car based on its VIN

[EMsport]

OK. Buckle in. This is interesting/complicated.

So looks like they might be right.. depending on your build date... Up until 2/2001 build date shows that module as legit on other ETK sites.

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/parts/...ce/65776997257

RealOEM shows instead, this number: 65776900727... oddly VERY similar digits but not the same, but same late '99-'01 period. Almost looks like a typo of the other number, but seems like a 'real one' also. I'm guessing those are same/compatible, along with whatever other 'crosses' were out there for either one. Oddly no supercession info etc...

From 02/2001 build dates on, this is the 'current' number for uncoded module - 65776919789, which supercedes a couple other part numbers.


http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=65_0275

So... thoughts...

1. your VIN & build date would be the key thing as to whether that weirdo short-timer part number is even an issue. dealers can be morons, don't blindly trust them. but the guy was right about the 99-01 thing. if your build date falls in that period, you might or might not worry about it at all, if not, then forget it entirely and realize the dealer is not the sharpest tool in the shed.

2. if your build date IS in that window, who knows, the other modules still might work. you can't always trust these things, and sometimes the factory is overly strict about things that work fine. maybe they changed suppliers in that period and for legal liability reasons they want to be sure they don't have any exposure so the spec the same special part for that window only. some people will be ultra cautious on airbag stuff since, hey, its exploding pyrotechnics really and quite dangerous... so... will be up to you if you want to try a later controller anyway.

Just to make it extra fun puzzler, look at this great weird data:

The current / later parts DO swap with the much earlier (pre-03/99) parts... as well as later (post-02/01) parts!? So old and new are interchangeable but not the weirdo middle period?

The "257" part number doesn't show up enough places to find any compatibility/exchange/supercession/'cross' info that i can see.

Part number page for the new "789" part, says no you can't swap it for the middle "727" part.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...789&series=E39

But wait... hey lets look at the middle "727" part... well hey YES, it says you can exchange it for a new "789".

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...&q=65776900727

Well that's just as clear as mud! My guess would be that really you can probably swap all these around but who knows. Maybe if you swap them all the airbags will randomly assplode and kill all the passengers in the car instantly.

(BTW agree w/ the 'why not risk 2-3 cheap used ones vs the massive dealer price...' approach...)

That's some really useful info thank you so much
I agree totally some BMW dealers are full blown idiots I rang the main BMW dealer in melbournes city asking for a part number he actually told me that he isn't allowed to give out part numbers "unfortunately" what the ? I was like uhhh ok ?
Hanged up rang the BMW dealer on the other side of town and he was happy to chat and discuss part numbers go figure lol !

And you must be right with them changing something during that time because when I took my E39 to BMW for the worldwide airbag recall thing they stated that my airbag system was not one of those affected ? Yet my friend who had a 2001 530i sedan at the time had his replaced ..

All in all I think youve nailed it
I'm going to try my luck with a $55 dollar 789 part which I found locally on eBay if it works it works if not..well I'm still $3345 ahead ����. He claims it's from a 2001 530i Il give that a go and report back with my findings fingers crossed no imploding �� Il keep a look out for a 257 anyway but it looks like it's such a rare number to find Ive searched worldwide on eBay and come up with nothing so I won't hold my breath

I will hopefully have the module by next week
Then it's trying to find someone to code it
Wish Aus had more euro specialists like the states , seems like we got the sheeet end of the stick when I comes to workshops I rang a few shops for a coding quote all claiming to be "BMW SPECIALISTS" they all told me good luck it's a dealer only job.

[geargrinder]

Yeah. Oz boys have told me you guys have "Automotive Electricians" as a specific thing? Maybe a BMW-specialising ( <-- changed the zed so you don't have to translate ) electrician would have the gear..?

We don't quite have that so much... there might be shops that claim to be more specializing (oops - specialising) in that kind of work, or, you might have a TUNER who does a lot of software/coding, but we don't have a job description like an "Automotive Electrician". Here you generally ask around and usually it turns out to be either a regular mechanic who knows/has the software and skills in addition to the mechanical stuff, or, a tuner...

When I tell mechanics here that other places have "Auto electricians" that do all the electrical work, they generally laugh and would be happy to have that cuz most of them hate doin the electrical work...

Actually, thinking about that $3345... why don't you buy me a round trip ticket and I'll zing down and sort out the coding for you? If we get a good price on the ticket and buy cheap beer, you might even still have a little left over. I haven't been to Melbourne in years, would love to go back.

[EMsport]

Yeah. Oz boys have told me you guys have "Automotive Electricians" as a specific thing? Maybe a BMW-specialising ( <-- changed the zed so you don't have to translate ) electrician would have the gear..?

We don't quite have that so much... there might be shops that claim to be more specializing (oops - specialising) in that kind of work, or, you might have a TUNER who does a lot of software/coding, but we don't have a job description like an "Automotive Electrician". Here you generally ask around and usually it turns out to be either a regular mechanic who knows/has the software and skills in addition to the mechanical stuff, or, a tuner...

When I tell mechanics here that other places have "Auto electricians" that do all the electrical work, they generally laugh and would be happy to have that cuz most of them hate doin the electrical work...

Actually, thinking about that $3345... why don't you buy me a round trip ticket and I'll zing down and sort out the coding for you? If we get a good price on the ticket and buy cheap beer, you might even still have a little left over. I haven't been to Melbourne in years, would love to go back.

Il make you a deal , send me down one of those Buick Grand National turbo's of one of those 1996 impala Ss's and il pay for your flights and the beer 😜 one thing is for certain you guys get all the good cars.

Hahahaha unfortunately for you I found a guy a few suburbs away who does key and module coding for Mercedes and BMW said it shouldn't take longer than 15 minutes might save you a trip and me some money 😆

Our "Auto Electricians" do almost if not the same apprenticeship a mechanic does here I guess it's just who you work for and what they specialiZe in 😆
Melbourne is just getting too damn expensive lately

[manualshifter]

Have 2000 M5 with failed airbag control module under centre console, part number on it is 31690072701c

I ordered one with same part number from that guy in Lithuania, will I still need to code it to the car, or does being the exact same part number mean you don't?

Hey EMsport, how did yours turn out? I am in Australia too...