Air Bag Reset Tool

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Rocketbike
Joined: Thu 17 May, 2012 20:12
Posts: 83

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by Rocketbike »

My airbag light comes on just about every time I move/glance at the passenger seat. As I've seen airbag reset tools on ebay for £15 - 20 my thoughts are to get one so I can reset it myself. Anyone have any experience of these or recommendations for particular ones as the thought of setting off my air bag is making me a bit hesitant. Is this the way to go?
Thanks
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Robert T
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Joined: Mon 12 Jun, 2006 10:35
Posts: 10170

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by Robert T »

A reset tool will not set the airbag off. It's purpose is to clear the error codes logged in the memory of the airbag control unit, which is what brings the light on. The light goes out when the errors are cleared. So no worries there.

However, if moving the seat is known to bring the light on, then the likelihood is that you have the usual dodgy connections under the seat. There is/was a replacement wiring loom that corrects this, and I have had it fitted to my car, but as I didn't fit it myself, I don't actually know what they changed on it, but my suspicion is that it will use different connectors. All it takes is a momentary break in the circuit and this will bring the airbag light on, and it will stay on until the error code is cleared. Whilst the light is on, you will have no airbag(s) or seatbelt pre-tensioners.

If it were me, I think I would prefer to actual fix the problem, then I wouldn't need a reset tool.

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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Rocketbike
Joined: Thu 17 May, 2012 20:12
Posts: 83

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by Rocketbike »

Thanks. For now I brought the tool off ebay, cost £16. Easy to use following the instructions and sorted it straight out, so very pleased. I'll see how it goes from here
bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by bertiejaffa »

As Robert says, the loom under the seat comes loose and the wires can get chewed by the seats. Easy enough to remove the seats and then check all the wiring for splits. Find it, repair it and then use some cable ties to attach the wiring back in a more trustable position
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Wavesong
Joined: Sun 21 Dec, 2014 18:46
Posts: 92

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by Wavesong »

On the same theme. I had all the error codes cleared on my year 2000 2.00 six last week after the EML light came on. There were loads of airbag errors recorded. This was done so that if the EML light came on again (it hasn't yet) we would have a better chance of isolating the cause. In the meantime, I have realised that my airbag light does not come on when the ignition is switched on as it should, momentarily. I also see that the seatbelt light comes on and then goes off regardless of whether the seat belts are clunk clicked. I am wondering whether the seatbelt circuit has been disconnected and perhaps the bulb removed or blown for the airbag light? Clearly something isn't right and I now think that my airbags are not "live". Is it possible that a previous owner in disconnecting the seatbelt circuit, has affected the airbag circuit too? Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated.
Brian4
Joined: Mon 19 Dec, 2011 19:02
Posts: 541

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Hinckley

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by Brian4 »

Hi waves ongoing it sounds as if the bulb for your airbag has been removed or blanked off. It should come on when ignition on. The seat belt light comes on and off regardless of whether the seat belt is clipped in. Not sure of the reason.
I would guess there is a loose wire under the seat or seat sensor and needs sorting as no light on start should be MOT failure.
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Wavesong
Joined: Sun 21 Dec, 2014 18:46
Posts: 92

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by Wavesong »

When it was last mot'd, the handbrake light didn't work. However, this was not a failure and wasn't even an advisory. They didn't notice the airbag light wasn't illuminating when the ignition was switched on. Was I lucky? So, it seems the seatbelt light does nothing but momentarily remind the driver of the existence of the belts before switching off regardless. I suppose it is possible that the airbag warning light bulb has blown and that this is the fault being flagged up on the codes when read? I will check the connections under the passenger seat.
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Robert T
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Joined: Mon 12 Jun, 2006 10:35
Posts: 10170

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by Robert T »

Very simple reason for the seatbelt light behaviour - on UK spec zeds it isn't connected to anything - it is just a simple timer circuit. In some other markets (e.g. USA), there is actually a switch in the buckle.

Cheers R.

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Wavesong
Joined: Sun 21 Dec, 2014 18:46
Posts: 92

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by Wavesong »

Ah, that explains the seatbelt light then thank you. I have just managed to get my EML light to come on with the engine running. Switched off, fiddled with the wires underneath the passenger seat, restarted and, no EML light on. So, something amiss under the seat that seems to effect the EML. Definitely no airbag light, at any stage. No idea whats going on really but nothing new there :(
Wavesong
Joined: Sun 21 Dec, 2014 18:46
Posts: 92

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by Wavesong »

I have discovered several splits in the ribbed flexible hose coming of the air intake hose post MAF. This will explain the rough idle from cold and occasional EML light. Thanks to previous threads on this forum which inspired me to search this one out. I have no doubt, from what I have read, that this will be the cause of my woes. Happy days for an easy and relatively cheap fix.
burmagirl
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Joined: Sun 09 Jul, 2006 17:11
Posts: 575

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by burmagirl »

sorry to resurrect an old thread...

Does anyone know the part no/cost of the replacement air bag bit of loom? I've just had mine reset for the umpteenth time and I would love to sort the problem once and for all. I looked on realoem but I think there was more than the one part.

tia

Sue
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pingu
Joined: Fri 30 Apr, 2004 16:01
Posts: 3412

  M roadster S50

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by pingu »

The problem is unlikely to be cured by a new cable as the original is usually OK. It is the connection that is weak. Tape it tightly with electrical tape.

The cable is part of the seat belt tensioner.
Pingu
burmagirl
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by burmagirl »

I've had cable ties round mine for a long time Pingu but every time the garage, RAC, OH moving the car etc moves my seat much, it still happens. I'll try the tape once the seats have come out to sort bushes and the height motor on the driver's side, which I think has stuck...

Not surprisingly the garage is very keen to get it back in and do the bushes and the motor, and find some connectors to put on the harness and the seats. But they admit they have never done bushes and I would rather the OH does it, if I can persuade him, and saves me the labour charges!
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Robert T
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by Robert T »

If you are thinking of poly seat bushes, then I'm not sure a garage will fit them as they are a non-standard part. An Indy might do it, but it is unlikely that they will have done it before.

I had the alternate wiring loom fitted to mine by my local BMW-specialist many years ago after my airbag light came on. No problems since, but then I don't move my seat very often. I didn't see the new loom when it went on, so I can't comment on the differences.

Cheers R.

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burmagirl
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Joined: Sun 09 Jul, 2006 17:11
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by burmagirl »

Hello Robert

yes it is my usual indie garage - they have said they haven't done the bushes before. If I had the strength and I could get hold of some connectors to replace my splicing then I would do it - having read the instructions a couple of times I think I have grasped it. But not strong enough and would prefer not to have to solder and re-wrap everything again. I THINK I remember I left enough room on the harness to be able to lift the seats out but not sure about there being enough to be able to turn them over to get to the bushes, too. I don't suppose now I will ever put the other seats back in the car; I guess I could sell them otherwise it would make sense to take the connectors off them.

Sue
sebring
Joined: Thu 12 Dec, 2013 12:45
Posts: 53

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by sebring »

which tool did you get? I got one but didn't have any instructions for it
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colb
Joined: Sat 05 May, 2012 22:46
Posts: 690

  Z3 roadster 1.8 TU
Location: Newport South Wales UK

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by colb »

You want a B800 reset tool, loads on ebay at various prices, cheaper from China but I would go for this one from Manchester, it will arrive quicker.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Airbag-Reset- ... SwYmZXLGVe
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1999 BMW 1.8 Z3
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peter2b
Joined: Sat 01 Nov, 2014 18:47
Posts: 963

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: cheshire

Re: Air Bag Reset Tool

Post by peter2b »

I had the same when I took out the passenger's seat I found a little dongle plugged into the seat sensor that had come loose pushed it back in ,sorted ,also I had the engine light come on Robert T helped me sort it out , after the MAF unit there are 2 small hoses that connect to the main intake hose one of them had a small split in it allowing more air that the MAS sensor saw causing the light to come on , I cleaned the area with brake cleaner after roughing arround the split then using a small pice of nylon mesh coated in sealant (windscreen sealant ) problem sorted
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burmagirl
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Air Bag Light/Reset Tool - again!

Post by burmagirl »

sorry yet again for posting to an old thread! I have the airbag light issue again - it came on a few days after the car had its MOT. The difference this time is that I have had it reset three times by the garage and I get a mile down the road and it comes on again.

The garage is very good at resetting it FoC but I've ordered a reset tool now from ebay. I am concerned that it keeps coming back on. The fault code indicated the seat belt tensioner but I think that's always the case, isn't it? The connectors beside the seats seem firmly in place and I have cable ties round them to stabilise them.

The only thing I have noticed is that the rod which attaches to the seat belt socket on the passenger side is much longer than the one on the driver's side. Could this indicate that it has triggered?

TIA

Sue
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