BMW is now paying for pasanger airbag sensor reparis

[elerner61]

My airbag light just went on yesterday. VIN search says I'm not eligible (build date is June of 2007). A quick call to BMW customer service was useless, since the car hasn't been to the dealer and the problem been assessed.

I did some snooping around and sensor mats going bad is certainly an issue not BMW or E85 specific. The cheap and dirty solution is to install a "Mat Emulator". They are dirt cheap ($10) if the mat is two wire (cars before ~2006) and only $60 if after 2006.

From this thread (http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=797110 )3002tii seems to have communicated with one provider so there is perhaps some level of confidence in at least one unit. Here is a link to that unit http://www.ebay.com/itm/160854844395...84.m1439.l2649

[Daemonblitz]

I can double-check your eligibility for coverage if you are willing to provide last 7 digits of your VIN.

Originally Posted by elerner61

My airbag light just went on yesterday. VIN search says I'm not eligible (build date is June of 2007). A quick call to BMW customer service was useless, since the car hasn't been to the dealer and the problem been assessed.

I did some snooping around and sensor mats going bad is certainly an issue not BMW or E85 specific. The cheap and dirty solution is to install a "Mat Emulator". They are dirt cheap ($10) if the mat is two wire (cars before ~2006) and only $60 if after 2006.

From this thread (http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=797110 )3002tii seems to have communicated with one provider so there is perhaps some level of confidence in at least one unit. Here is a link to that unit http://www.ebay.com/itm/160854844395...84.m1439.l2649

[elerner61]

Thanks, but I already had Customer Service check for me and I am not. I even escalated my call beyond the initial representative "Lindsey". She read 100% from the playbook, saying that I must have a dealer triage it and "yes" if is is not covered I will have to pay for the 1 hour of diagnostics time. Eventually she told me off the record that I have two chances of BMW providing any assistance....slim and none. Screw that. I'll install one of the bypasses and be done with it.

[antennahead]

Originally Posted by elerner61

Thanks, but I already had Customer Service check for me and I am not. I even escalated my call beyond the initial representative "Lindsey". She read 100% from the playbook, saying that I must have a dealer triage it and "yes" if is is not covered I will have to pay for the 1 hour of diagnostics time. Eventually she told me off the record that I have two chances of BMW providing any assistance....slim and none. Screw that. I'll install one of the bypasses and be done with it.

I'm assuming you saw my almost exact same encounter a few posts ago. Really pisses me off. NHTSA claims 2007s are covered, but BMW is playing hardball. I'm in the same boat you are, going to install an emulator and be done with it. I ordered the Bimtronics, but got an email from them yesterday saying the package was returned to them by the mail service. Damn international mail Address was correct, they are going to resend. After the fact I found this one on ebay, it's cheaper and works with the 3 wire red/white/brown set-up we have:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-2005-201...xVNW8d&vxp=mtr

[sudoer]

There's no need to buy a sensor emulator. The passenger occupancy sensor on my parents' X3 started acting up a few weeks ago and I was able to code it out on the ABG module. Simply set all the "OC3" parameters to "nicht_aktiv".

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by sudoer

There's no need to buy a sensor emulator. The passenger occupancy sensor on my parents' X3 started acting up a few weeks ago and I was able to code it out on the ABG module. Simply set all the "OC3" parameters to "nicht_aktiv".

That's a great tip, now I just have to get my lazy ass to solder the two pins on my cable and install the software I've had sitting around.

If you code it out, are you sure the bag is still active and will fire?

[sudoer]

Originally Posted by elerner61

That's a great tip, now I just have to get my lazy ass to solder the two pins on my cable and install the software I've had sitting around.

If you code it out, are you sure the bag is still active and will fire?

Anecdotal evidence from the internet says yes, but I don't care to test that myself.

[tkeneklis]

I put my VIN number in and it came back negative and I also called and had a very nice intelligent person tell me I vehicle was not covered. GRRR

[tkeneklis]

I received my notification letter from BMW NA in July. It states that
...BMW is extending the limited warranty for the Supplemental Restraint System's (SRS) front passenger air bag seat occupancy sencor (OC3) mat on the above referenced vehicle to:

15 years without mileage limitation, as determined b your vehicle's original in-service date."

...

This is notice of a "limited warranty extension" only. This is not a Recall or Service Action.
Bolding is as in the original letter.

Based on the last bolded sentence, unless your SRS/Air Bag malfunction indicator is illuminated, I doubt that taking an affected car into your dealer would result in them actually doing anything, because, as stated, "This is not a notice of Recall or Service Action".

So I brought my 2003 BMW Z4 to the dealer Bergstrom in Appleton, WI. (80 miles round-trip) They stated that I needed a new Airbag Control Unit since mine was faulty. The bad news is they wanted $1500.00 to repair the unit. I did get a free car wash!

I called BMW they gave me the same run around. "it's not covered."

I did call the NHTSA and filed a complaint. Oh well at least I got a free car wash

[misterawa]

I have a 2003 also. I contacted BMW Customer Relations in 2015 and they said it wasn't covered. Fast forward, I received a notice last month (July), contacted BMW Customer Relations last week and they informed me the 15 year warranty ended in March. Honestly, if BMW would have notified me sooner, I would have taken my car to the dealership, as I've been using a reliable independent shop for the last 8 years.

Any advice since my car is outside of the 15 year warranty?

I'm very disappointed about with BMW NA

Originally Posted by tkeneklis

I received my notification letter from BMW NA in July. It states that
...BMW is extending the limited warranty for the Supplemental Restraint System's (SRS) front passenger air bag seat occupancy sencor (OC3) mat on the above referenced vehicle to:

15 years without mileage limitation, as determined b your vehicle's original in-service date."

...

This is notice of a "limited warranty extension" only. This is not a Recall or Service Action.
Bolding is as in the original letter.

Based on the last bolded sentence, unless your SRS/Air Bag malfunction indicator is illuminated, I doubt that taking an affected car into your dealer would result in them actually doing anything, because, as stated, "This is not a notice of Recall or Service Action".

So I brought my 2003 BMW Z4 to the dealer Bergstrom in Appleton, WI. (80 miles round-trip) They stated that I needed a new Airbag Control Unit since mine was faulty. The bad news is they wanted $1500.00 to repair the unit. I did get a free car wash!

I called BMW they gave me the same run around. "it's not covered."

I did call the NHTSA and filed a complaint. Oh well at least I got a free car wash

[bgeorge0049]

Originally Posted by imz4n

Received my letter today as well. I will be making my appointment on Monday.

They won't replace it unless it has gone bad.

[tkeneklis]

misterawa we are in the same boat or vehicle as they say. This is what I did - I called the NHTSA and complained and got a complaint #.
I will have my independent mechanic set my OC3 parameters to nicht_aktiv the next time I am there and I purchased a Seat Mat Bypass Emulator off of Ebay for $9.80 that should put the light out when installed.
Other than that I will drive fast and watch for cops!

[bgeorge0049]

Originally Posted by sudoer

There's no need to buy a sensor emulator. The passenger occupancy sensor on my parents' X3 started acting up a few weeks ago and I was able to code it out on the ABG module. Simply set all the "OC3" parameters to "nicht_aktiv".

When changing safety parameters in a car to disable features such as airbags and whatnot without an indicator light or such being present, you can be held liable in the event of injury or death of a passenger or future owner. These things can sometimes be hard to trace back to who did the modification, but it has been done in the past and people have lost over it.

Just be careful is all I am saying.

[tkeneklis]

Originally Posted by bgeorge0049

When changing safety parameters in a car to disable features such as airbags and whatnot without an indicator light or such being present, you can be held liable in the event of injury or death of a passenger or future owner. These things can sometimes be hard to trace back to who did the modification, but it has been done in the past and people have lost over it.

Just be careful is all I am saying.

Thanks, I will note it in my journal and if and when I sell the machine I will inform the new owner.

[tkeneklis]

I ordered a SMBE from ebay and if you look at the sales of the equipment - many people either have a malfunction or they are avoiding one. UNSAFE at ANY SPEED!

[David_Vasha]

They say it's for free which is true on paper. But I went in today to have mine done and they still required me to have $140 ready in case they "find" something outside the warranty. I knew immediately what they were doing so I left. Saying this to give you folks a heads up.

[RossBMWZseries]

Originally Posted by David_Vasha

They say it's for free which is true on paper. But I went in today to have mine done and they still required me to have $140 ready in case they "find" something outside the warranty. I knew immediately what they were doing so I left. Saying this to give you folks a heads up.

I called my dealer letting them know my air bag light is on. They checked my VIN and told me to bring in the car to repair it for free. However, if they scan the code and it's actually not a fault for the OC3 (occupancy mat sensor), then they'll charge me for the diagnostic scan ($150) and will not repair the OC3. I haven't taken the car in for this reason.

[David_Vasha]

Originally Posted by RossBMWZseries

I called my dealer letting them know my air bag light is on. They checked my VIN and told me to bring in the car to repair it for free. However, if they scan the code and it's actually not a fault for the OC3 (occupancy mat sensor), then they'll charge me for the diagnostic scan ($150) and will not repair the OC3. I haven't taken the car in for this reason.

Exactly, these dealerships really put money over everything unfortunately.