Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 28

Thread: My turn at the infamous airbag light

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2024
    Location
    NW Indiana
    Posts
    363
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M52 Arctic Slvr

    My turn at the infamous airbag light

    I have a 98 2.8 Z3 (built 10/1997) at 83,000 miles and while sitting at a gas station, car running and then leaving, somewhere in that time, the air bag light came on. I want to say it was going to be when my wife got back into the car and it came on while she was seating herself and buckling up but I dont have that evidence. It was just a short moment after, when I glanced down and saw the red light.

    So, I have searched and skimmed through the various threads but that took me into a time warp and back, so are my only options to

    a) ignore it (which I cant do)
    b) try my OBD II bluetooth to get a code (which returns nothing as it seems to only bring back CEL codes)
    c) get a tool like B800 SRS scan (or B8300??) and get the code, address, then reset and fingers crossed
    d) invest in the time/effort of INPA to get code, address it, then reset and fingers crossed

    What is the best option here?

    Also, I realize that there is no 1 size fits all, but what is common in this situation? Is it that some of the connectors under seat need DeOxIt cleaning and reconnecting, reset and should be good to go?

    What is the WORST scenario? (air bag is not deployable in the event it needs to be deployable)?
    Last edited by kezug; 11-07-2024 at 09:05 AM.
    BMW Z3 - 1998 - 2.8 Arctic Silver (M52)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    2,489
    My Cars
    2000 m roadster 2010 x3
    Best option is set up a laptop with INPA from the z3 diagnostic thread. It’s free other than the cables you need. BMW factory software. Typically seat belt tensioner causes airbag light but without INPA you’re just guessing.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    2,027
    My Cars
    00 M Roady '22 Lexus RC
    Quote Originally Posted by z3forlife View Post
    Best option is set up a laptop with INPA from the z3 diagnostic thread. It’s free other than the cables you need. BMW factory software. Typically seat belt tensioner causes airbag light but without INPA you’re just guessing.
    +1, you will probably from time to time, have a need with your 26 year old car, to diagnose an issue. You can't beat the BMW program that the tech's used when the car was new.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Blairstown, NJ, USA
    Posts
    683
    My Cars
    1998 M Roadster
    The light could be related to the seat occupancy sensor. If so, your have to take the seat upholstery off, or buy a gizmo to fool the computer.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    McLean, VA
    Posts
    4,693
    My Cars
    02 MC, 01 MR, 99 Z3C
    My Foxwell NT 510 reads the SRS codes. In my case I have the passenger buckle causing the fault. to date it responds to cleaning with DeOxit sprayed directly into the buckle and then latching and unlatching a few times. But I bought a replacement buckle assembly for the inevitable day when it fails.
    Kelvin

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2022
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    5
    My Cars
    2001 Z3 3.0, 2014 e84 X1
    I agree. Start by spraying some deoxit in the seat belt receptacle and latching and unlatching the the buckle a few times. It has resolved transient airbag lights for me every time.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    12,868
    My Cars
    36 Cylinders
    Quote Originally Posted by devmast View Post
    I agree. Start by spraying some deoxit in the seat belt receptacle and latching and unlatching the the buckle a few times. It has resolved transient airbag lights for me every time.
    This won't clear the codes, so this is working backwards.

    Read codes
    Fix problem
    Clear codes.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2024
    Location
    NW Indiana
    Posts
    363
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M52 Arctic Slvr
    All good advise, I have procured a laptop, but not I must read to determine which cable or perhaps based on some recent discussions, may not need a cable after all. Bluetooth has capability too, so must read to see if my Bluetooth will work and get those instructions.

    Here is the OBDBII Bluetooth reader I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    BMW Z3 - 1998 - 2.8 Arctic Silver (M52)

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    12,868
    My Cars
    36 Cylinders
    It needs to be an INPA K+DCAN cable, preferably with a switch on it.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    2,027
    My Cars
    00 M Roady '22 Lexus RC

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    2,552
    My Cars
    Early '99 Z3 M52TU2.8
    What does the switch do?

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Location
    Mt Lemmon, AZ
    Posts
    178
    My Cars
    1998 BMW Z3 M Roadster
    That's the one I ordered a couple of days ago.

    Description says...

    "Switched inpa k+Dcan, You can use the switch to do more cars .Some cars need disconnect to use the inpa k+dcan,but others need connect. It can support more cars after adding the switch.Not every model need switch."

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2022
    Location
    Lake Wylie SC
    Posts
    98
    My Cars
    1999 Z3 M Roadster
    Disagree with 328 on this, although it keeps coming back maybe twice per year, spraying contact cleaner in the driver buckle buckling/unbuckling vigorously numerous times and then clearing with the B800 has worked 2 or 3 times for me

    The code I'm getting is driver buckle, which has been replaced, methinks this mechanical switch hangs up from time to time...
    Last edited by ZJon; 11-08-2024 at 05:48 PM.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2024
    Location
    NW Indiana
    Posts
    363
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M52 Arctic Slvr
    Quote Originally Posted by ZJon View Post
    Disagree with 328 on this, although it keeps coming back maybe twice per year, spraying contact cleaner in the driver buckle buckling/unbuckling vigorously numerous times and then clearing with the B800 has worked 2 or 3 times for me

    The code I'm getting is driver buckle, which has been replaced, methinks this mechanical switch hangs up from time to time...
    But I would still need the INPA and Cable to reset AFTER and IF, only IF, that happened to be the one of many possible situations. So still have to reset via the INPA, of which I dont have, nor have a tool to reset such a code.

    Unless, I am missing something.
    BMW Z3 - 1998 - 2.8 Arctic Silver (M52)

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    2,489
    My Cars
    2000 m roadster 2010 x3
    My issue has never been the buckle but the harness plug below the seat. INPA should tell wether it’s the tensioner/pyro or buckle circuit.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Feb 2024
    Location
    NW Indiana
    Posts
    363
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M52 Arctic Slvr
    Quote Originally Posted by IndianaRoadster View Post

    Ordered. Thank you.


    Any recommendations for the following ? BMW 20-pin to OBD Adapter
    Last edited by kezug; 11-09-2024 at 02:02 PM.
    BMW Z3 - 1998 - 2.8 Arctic Silver (M52)

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Arida Zona
    Posts
    30,983
    My Cars
    z3
    There's no need for an adapter cable, they just jump the pins at the port and then convert to OBD2 plug. The car already converts to the OBD2 plug... at the OBD2 plug... so if you just jump the pins like shown below, you can access all modules via the OBD2 port



    Just remove the cap on the round port, install a jumper wire like pictured and reinstall the cap

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    2,027
    My Cars
    00 M Roady '22 Lexus RC
    I know that you can jump pins, but just out of convenience, I went ahead and ordered the adapter. Here's one from ECS for $18, but like $14 on Amazon.
    Screenshot_20241109_132659_Chrome.jpg

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Feb 2024
    Location
    NW Indiana
    Posts
    363
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M52 Arctic Slvr
    Quote Originally Posted by BimmerBreaker View Post
    There's no need for an adapter cable, they just jump the pins at the port and then convert to OBD2 plug. The car already converts to the OBD2 plug... at the OBD2 plug... so if you just jump the pins like shown below, you can access all modules via the OBD2 port



    Just remove the cap on the round port, install a jumper wire like pictured and reinstall the cap
    As in, set it (jumping like you show) and forget it, regardless of doing any diagnosing or driving car?
    BMW Z3 - 1998 - 2.8 Arctic Silver (M52)

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    2,489
    My Cars
    2000 m roadster 2010 x3
    No. This allows access to all modules through the obd2 plug instead of the 20 pin.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Mar 2023
    Location
    Mt Lemmon, AZ
    Posts
    178
    My Cars
    1998 BMW Z3 M Roadster
    Quote Originally Posted by IndianaRoadster View Post
    By way of follow-up... I purchased that cable (already had a 20-pin adapter cable) downloaded the INPA to an old Windows 7 laptop and everything seems to work well.

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    2,027
    My Cars
    00 M Roady '22 Lexus RC
    Quote Originally Posted by Ahwahnee View Post
    By way of follow-up... I purchased that cable (already had a 20-pin adapter cable) downloaded the INPA to an old Windows 7 laptop and everything seems to work well.
    Glad you're good to go! I just leave the two hooked together and stored in the drawer in my tool cabinet. It's convenient to just pull it out, open the hood and plug it in.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Arida Zona
    Posts
    30,983
    My Cars
    z3
    Quote Originally Posted by kezug View Post
    As in, set it (jumping like you show) and forget it, regardless of doing any diagnosing or driving car?
    Yes it's fine to drive like that. I'll use it for real time diagnostics while driving on occasion - but usually if I don't need to access other modules for awhile I will unplug the jumper.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Flowery Branch (NE Atlanta), GA
    Posts
    630
    My Cars
    MZ3 Roadster
    Quote Originally Posted by IndianaRoadster View Post
    I know that you can jump pins, but just out of convenience, I went ahead and ordered the adapter. Here's one from ECS for $18, but like $14 on Amazon.
    Screenshot_20241109_132659_Chrome.jpg
    I bought one like this and added a programming switch.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Feb 2024
    Location
    NW Indiana
    Posts
    363
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M52 Arctic Slvr
    I have 2 codes

    16 analog status belt lock driver
    Error Frequency : 1
    -------------------------------
    3 Supply voltage
    Error Frequency : 4

    I am not finding much on these codes when searching around:
    for 16 - I found this thread - Unsure which of the 2 things discussed was the solution. Seemed like I could clean the buckle connect and seat if that works. Or mess with wiring under the seat?
    If I do disconnect/spray electrical parts cleaner/reconnect, do I just do ALL the cables or the seat belt lock driver cable (which one is that)? Is this requiring the seat to be removed?

    For 3 - Unsure of what to make of 3 Supply Code - seems this is unrecoverable???

    Also, I am assuming that which ever I do try, I still must do a clear code, then see if my solution worked?
    Also, but since I have INPA, if I am am going to be unplugging wires, do I still have to disconnect battery first or simply just clear the code that pops if I dont?






    I also felt I should ask about this. Why does my Sensor say No?



    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by kezug; 11-17-2024 at 09:27 AM.
    BMW Z3 - 1998 - 2.8 Arctic Silver (M52)

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 10
    Last Post: 03-25-2016, 10:56 AM
  2. Airbag Light comes on for ~ 2 minutes then turns off
    By bejita in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 10-31-2005, 09:10 PM
  3. Replies: 9
    Last Post: 08-14-2005, 08:18 PM
  4. Airbag light on! Help to turn it off?
    By IzzE46 in forum 1988 - 1996 (E34)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-23-2003, 02:31 AM
  5. turning off airbag light
    By tinymcoupe in forum 1996 - 2002 Z3 (E36/7, E36/8)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-25-2003, 10:20 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •