replaced seat belt tensioner, air bag light on

[DaveJB]

Hey guys, I did a bunch of searching but couldn't find a good answer.

So, some douche-bag hit my car while parked and didn't leave a note. While my car was getting fixed, I asked them to install a brand new passenger seat belt tensioner (that I provided) while they were at it. He explained that they will attempt to clear the code but they may not be able to. I approved.

Nonetheless, here we are. I have the red airbag light on the dash and the yellow lamp over by the passenger.

Car is an '07 Z4 M Coupe. What do I do?

TIA!

Dave

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by DaveJB

Hey guys, I did a bunch of searching but couldn't find a good answer.

So, some douche-bag hit my car while parked and didn't leave a note. While my car was getting fixed, I asked them to install a brand new passenger seat belt tensioner (that I provided) while they were at it. He explained that they will attempt to clear the code but they may not be able to. I approved.

Nonetheless, here we are. I have the red airbag light on the dash and the yellow lamp over by the passenger.

Car is an '07 Z4 M Coupe. What do I do?

TIA!

Dave

Any shop with BMW software should be able to clear this. I can with my fleabay cable. That is unless it's installed incorrectly or the wiring has Ben damaged.

I know this is a bit late but disconnecting the battery while doing the work would have prevented this--it's kind of best practice with anything electronic, especially the restraint system. Are these guys BMW specialists?

[antennahead]

Another issue to consider. The seat belt tensioner was on the passenger side. "If" they knelt in your passenger seat to put the new tensioner in, they may have broken your passenger airbag occupancy sensor. Unfortunately I know from personal experience this one :-( And, like me, you have a 2007. BMW is replacing them through 2006 under an extended warranty, 2007 we are SOL. Same exact Takata part ....... I wonder who decides arbitrarily what year to cut off the free fix. You can turn off the sensor via the programming software (code not active), but if you don't have the software, again you're SOL .......... the dealer won't do it. These things are so fragile. There are members here who have replaced the sensor only to have the new one break a couple of years later. It's an expensive fix at the dealer. Seat has to be removed, leather removed from the bottom, new sensor put in the seat and the leather replaced.

[DaveJB]

Forgot to mention that the yellow lamp on the console was on but at the time the seatbelt was fastened. I unfastened it (the passenger belt) and now only the light on the dash is lit.

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Any shop with BMW software should be able to clear this. I can with my fleabay cable. That is unless it's installed incorrectly or the wiring has Ben damaged.

I know this is a bit late but disconnecting the battery while doing the work would have prevented this--it's kind of best practice with anything electronic, especially the restraint system. Are these guys BMW specialists?

It was a highly respected and BMW certified body shop. I'm guessing the body shop guy knows about more about paint and repair than replacing things like tensioners. I'm sure he didn't disconnect the battery.

Originally Posted by antennahead

Another issue to consider. The seat belt tensioner was on the passenger side. "If" they knelt in your passenger seat to put the new tensioner in, they may have broken your passenger airbag occupancy sensor. Unfortunately I know from personal experience this one :-( And, like me, you have a 2007. BMW is replacing them through 2006 under an extended warranty, 2007 we are SOL. Same exact Takata part ....... I wonder who decides arbitrarily what year to cut off the free fix. You can turn off the sensor via the programming software (code not active), but if you don't have the software, again you're SOL .......... the dealer won't do it. These things are so fragile. There are members here who have replaced the sensor only to have the new one break a couple of years later. It's an expensive fix at the dealer. Seat has to be removed, leather removed from the bottom, new sensor put in the seat and the leather replaced.

Man, I don't think there's any way to replace this without removing the seat.

At this point I guess I need to start figuring out how to setup this computer software and cable thing. How would a shop charge for this? Screw the stealership.

[DaveJB]

Back at this. So, I have setup all the BMW laptop diag tools on my laptop and bought the cable, but haven't used it yet. I can't seem to find how to use this to reset the airbag light.

OR: I have had a generic ODB II code reader for a while. Can you clear the ABS code with one of these? This is the one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA0XA0851767

Thanks

[elerner61]

Assuming you are using SSS/Progman I found this video which uses the same procedure I used to clear my Airbag code.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FONtjKicFNc

[DaveJB]

Cool, just need to make time for this! Thanks.