Steering wheel change, Help.

Beedub · 10-08-2022, 03:59 AM

Ok i keep coming back to this, im REALLY wanting to change to an after market wheel in my car despite the already excellent stock wheel. If this is too much head ache i wont bother.

I need to know ALL the info, whats needed , how do i retain the clock spring setup? , the difficult bits and most importantly , how do i get rid of the airbag light and extensive pics with people that's done this.

any help would be amazing.

jwolf · 10-11-2022, 10:43 PM

It is very easy on a z4. Clock spring is down at your feet on these. Youtube has a video on it. Getting the airbag off is the hardest part. Just tricky. Unplug the battery before you start. You will need a decent level scanner to knock down the airbag light if triggered. I can't remember if I triggered mine when I put on an M wheel.

Westersund · 10-12-2022, 02:02 AM

The airbag can usually be replace by a resistor that is soldered in to replicate the same resistance the system would see from an airbag and you won't get an airbag light. Did it on my Z3 Coupe and it was a 2,2 Ohm resistor. Not sure about Z4 M though. To avoid splicing the wiring to the airbag connector you can get the airbag side plug and solder a resistor on that way so it's completely reversible.

maupineda · 10-12-2022, 02:30 PM

2.2 ohm is the standard resistance value for restraint components. I am a restraints engineer. We use resistors for breadboard testing to not have live devices.

belcom · 10-13-2022, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maupineda

2.2 ohm is the standard resistance value for restraint components. I am a restraints engineer. We use resistors for breadboard testing to not have live devices.

Is it universal across all car manufacturers?

Clearancediver · 10-13-2022, 01:45 PM

Why would you disable a safety device ( air bag) to get rid of an airbag light? That frankly is one of the stupidest suggestions I've seen on the various forums.

Use INPA or ISTAD software with appropriate cable ( switchable between prepost lift and post lift) to access fault/error codes and clear. If The error/airbag light persist then dig further down to possible error causes and resolve then clear error memory once again.

Both of the BMW tech software packages are capable of testing the SRS system to locate and or provide the current resistance values of the SRS wiring. You can clean connections or whatever is suggested to resolve the issue to get the resistance value between the 1.2-3.2 ohms it calls for (going from memory from when I did this myself… but values are close if not correct).

In my case it was to replace the 2 wire connector in the battery well that went to the exploder on the battery cable that disconnects the battery cable from the battery in a collision (mind fart at moment for the correct term for the exploder… which explosively disconnects the cable…. EOD technician here) After 8 years for owing the car and cleaning that specific connector numerous times. it refused to "get into spec" with under 3.2 ohms. I cut it out and replaced with a properly sized wire compatible connector which fixed it permanently.

Anyway…. Use the BMW software to investigate/resolve error codes on the car…

Always disconnect the battery from the car when disconnecting connectors… error codes are set when you do and need to be reset/cleared… few handheld scanners are capable of doing so and the ones that are are expensive and likely unable to "dig down" into the rabbit hole so to speak…to suggest causes and repair procedures.

Google for INPA and ISTAD software and cable. There are YouTube videos on how to use….

10-08-2022, 03:59 AM	#1
Beedub Major General 423 Rep 5,329 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M roadster vt2-500 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Steering wheel change, Help. Ok i keep coming back to this, im REALLY wanting to change to an after market wheel in my car despite the already excellent stock wheel. If this is too much head ache i wont bother. I need to know ALL the info, whats needed , how do i retain the clock spring setup? , the difficult bits and most importantly , how do i get rid of the airbag light and extensive pics with people that's done this. any help would be amazing. __________________ Z4MR VT2 - Clubsport build. Multi award winning Detailing \| Wrap \| PPF specialists UK based - www.topwrapz.com Last edited by Beedub; 10-08-2022 at 06:48 AM..
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10-11-2022, 10:43 PM	#2
jwolf Private First Class 63 Rep 121 Posts Drives: 135i M-Sport MT N-55 / Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	It is very easy on a z4. Clock spring is down at your feet on these. Youtube has a video on it. Getting the airbag off is the hardest part. Just tricky. Unplug the battery before you start. You will need a decent level scanner to knock down the airbag light if triggered. I can't remember if I triggered mine when I put on an M wheel.
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10-12-2022, 02:02 AM	#3
Westersund Captain 500 Rep 876 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hallstahammar iTrader: (1)	The airbag can usually be replace by a resistor that is soldered in to replicate the same resistance the system would see from an airbag and you won't get an airbag light. Did it on my Z3 Coupe and it was a 2,2 Ohm resistor. Not sure about Z4 M though. To avoid splicing the wiring to the airbag connector you can get the airbag side plug and solder a resistor on that way so it's completely reversible. __________________ BMW M2 LCI -18 \| BMW 520DA Touring M-Sport -12 \| BMW Z4 M Coupe -06 \| BMW M3 -02 \| BMW Z3 Coupe -99 \| BMW 740i/6 -96 \| BMW M5 3.8 -92 \| BMW M535i -87
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10-12-2022, 02:30 PM	#4
maupineda Captain 456 Rep 975 Posts Drives: E86 Z4MC Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (3)	2.2 ohm is the standard resistance value for restraint components. I am a restraints engineer. We use resistors for breadboard testing to not have live devices.
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10-13-2022, 01:45 PM	#6
Clearancediver Lieutenant 90 Rep 406 Posts Drives: 2004 Z4 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Victoria, BC Canada iTrader: (0)	Why would you disable a safety device ( air bag) to get rid of an airbag light? That frankly is one of the stupidest suggestions I've seen on the various forums. Use INPA or ISTAD software with appropriate cable ( switchable between prepost lift and post lift) to access fault/error codes and clear. If The error/airbag light persist then dig further down to possible error causes and resolve then clear error memory once again. Both of the BMW tech software packages are capable of testing the SRS system to locate and or provide the current resistance values of the SRS wiring. You can clean connections or whatever is suggested to resolve the issue to get the resistance value between the 1.2-3.2 ohms it calls for (going from memory from when I did this myself… but values are close if not correct). In my case it was to replace the 2 wire connector in the battery well that went to the exploder on the battery cable that disconnects the battery cable from the battery in a collision (mind fart at moment for the correct term for the exploder… which explosively disconnects the cable…. EOD technician here) After 8 years for owing the car and cleaning that specific connector numerous times. it refused to "get into spec" with under 3.2 ohms. I cut it out and replaced with a properly sized wire compatible connector which fixed it permanently. Anyway…. Use the BMW software to investigate/resolve error codes on the car… Always disconnect the battery from the car when disconnecting connectors… error codes are set when you do and need to be reset/cleared… few handheld scanners are capable of doing so and the ones that are are expensive and likely unable to "dig down" into the rabbit hole so to speak…to suggest causes and repair procedures. Google for INPA and ISTAD software and cable. There are YouTube videos on how to use…. __________________ Sent from my smart phone...
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