air bag light help plz

[alex654]

My air bag light flashes about three time and then stays steady when starting the car. If anyone has any ideas that could help it would be much appreciated. I tried disconecting the battery and holding the connections together to reset it did not fix the issue.I have a 2007 z4m.

[dc_wright]

None of the faults in the SRS system will self reset. They have to be cleared with a code reader that can access the SRS controller. The dealer of course can read the codes and do the reset but that is pricey. Most independent BMW shops can also read and reset. You can do it yourself with INPA software or some of the more advanced code readers. The run of the mill code readers the parts stores have generally won't read the SRS codes.

[elerner61]

Get your code read and then go from there. Some codes indicate "too much resistance" and cleaning the module contacts behind the steering wheel airbag/clockspring will fix that.

[Huz-Z]

Faulty occupancy sensor perhaps.

[RossBMWZseries]

Originally Posted by elerner61

Get your code read and then go from there. Some codes indicate "too much resistance" and cleaning the module contacts behind the steering wheel airbag/clockspring will fix that.

Any specific method to do the cleaning or tips perhaps?

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by RossBMWZseries

Any specific method to do the cleaning or tips perhaps?

I used this product from CRC. Spray it on, let it evaporate, repeat a few times then I plugged/unplugged each connector to mechanically clean off any oxidation that may have occurred.

I've posted in DIY with some pics what's involved.

https://www.crcindustries.com/produc...-oz-05103.html

[RossBMWZseries]

Originally Posted by elerner61

I used this product from CRC. Spray it on, let it evaporate, repeat a few times then I plugged/unplugged each connector to mechanically clean off any oxidation that may have occurred.

I've posted in DIY with some pics what's involved.

https://www.crcindustries.com/produc...-oz-05103.html

I'll give it a go this weekend as I'm doing maintenance on it. Thanks!

[RossBMWZseries]

Elerner 61 - thanks for the DIY in the link you provided above! I used it yesterday to remove my steering wheel, cleaned the clockspring itself as well as the connections and modules with the CRC, plugged/unplugged several times as suggested. The clockspring was full of dirt, too much in fact. Anyway, when I screwed the clockspring back in and connected the cables back to their modules, i noticed that one of the airbag cables is missing the small tab on top. It’s the biggest connector coming from the airbag, and connects to the female on top of the center of the clockspring. Missing this tab means that the connector is NOT fully plugged in. Any slight pull on the cable and it comes right off without much effort. Yes I made sure I pushed it in all the way but while putting the airbag in, I wonder if the cable was pulled out a bit. Once i put everything back, started the car and it seemed to have a better start, somehow (did clean the ignition switch so maybe that played a role). All my electrical issues were no longer present; turn signals were showing up dash as they should, radio controls were working on radio and steering wheel, AC was blowing cold. Just today, the airbag light came back on, however, it didn’t give me any electrical problems. The light seems to come on and off. I have no idea if it’s the airbag module that needs replacing or if the loose cable has come off in the process of installing the air bag. Perhaps this is why the airbag light coming on is an intermittent issue. Here are some pics. The circled spots show the cable and where it connects with the missing tab. The other ends of that cable is what connects to the airbag (green and black connectors). I wonder if this is a cable I can buy by itself

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by RossBMWZseries

The other ends of that cable is what connects to the airbag (green and black connectors). I wonder if this is a cable I can buy by itself

Looks like it
https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/590...s-32301097246/

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=32_1385

[RossBMWZseries]

Originally Posted by dbarton62

Looks like it
https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/590...s-32301097246/

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=32_1385

Thanks Dave. Placed the order. Hopefully this solves the issue for me.

[RossBMWZseries]

So I replaced that $40 wire that DBarton pointed out on realoem.com. I had a brain fart apparently; the first time I removed the air bag from the steering wheel to clean the connections, I noticed the female connection (attached to the clock spring itself) was the piece that had the broken tab in order to secure the male connection. I bought the male connection *sighs*...

Anyway, it was able to have a better, tighter, connection between the male and female. Do I still have the electrical problems? Sometimes but it's rare. I do get the air bag light (even after clearing it with my scanner) but it comes on and off intermittently. However, it doesn't affect my AC, radio controls, or turn signals anymore. My next step is to replace the actual clockspring. My theory is that when hooking up the air bag back on the wheel, somehow it pulls on the male connection and there's no way to check as the air bag blocks the view, disabling full function of the mentioned features. Is the clock spring also responsible for locking the steering wheel? Because mine doesn't lock anymore as of a few months ago.