So many airbag lights.

[cjscopp]

New to this forum coming over from Benzworld having owned and repaired MBZ's for decades. My 19 year old daughter wants an E36 but in looking at many used ones I am seeing almost every one with the airbag light on. What gives? Is this a normal weak spot on the E36 or am I just lucky? From the schematics I see seat pad sensors and seat belt switches which MBZ does not use so this is a little new to me. Anyone care to comment if this is an area of concern. I searched for this issue but found only older posts with not much info.

Thanks
Alan

[johnnybayonne]

Originally Posted by cjscopp

New to this forum coming over from Benzworld having owned and repaired MBZ's for decades. My 19 year old daughter wants an E36 but in looking at many used ones I am seeing almost every one with the airbag light on. What gives? Is this a normal weak spot on the E36 or am I just lucky? From the schematics I see seat pad sensors and seat belt switches which MBZ does not use so this is a little new to me. Anyone care to comment if this is an area of concern. I searched for this issue but found only older posts with not much info.

Thanks
Alan

I know when you remove a steering wheel or a front seat for any reason without 1st disconnecting the battery the light will come on & stay on, until reset.......
johnny,

[darkhorse737]

Hey there... Sac'to as well :-) to the werkz.

i wouldn't say weak spot, really...

On BMW's they use a pad sensor for the airbag/s that are susceptible to moisture when you shampoo the carpet or get the floor wet; drive in the rain; or ... some drunk passenger spilling a drink on the floor ... (for one reason or another).

johnny bayonne is also right in his post. In the 1st place, it is bad mech practice to toy around with steering wheel ans airbags without first disconnecting battery and letting it sit at least 15mins before commencing work ;-)

Not a major issue and definitely correctible. We're actually in luck bcz we have the recycle yards in Rancho Cordova where replacements can be had for cheap ;-)

I'd say seeing airbag lights on cars you have seen is purely coincidental. And if it's ON and up for sale, it's probably because the seller doesn't want to assume the load for repairs(almost always $1000+ at the dealers... for whatever reason).

You've worked on MBZ before... then u know it could just be a loose wire ;-)

[David Mc]

Front passenger seat occupancy sensors and seat belt latch sockets are common faults and both easily fixed. Airbag light activations give you strong bargaining power in purchasing a used BMW. I got $3000 off for an airbag light activation that turned out to be a bad front passenger seat sensor. I built a little circuit which fools the airbag module into thinking the front seat is always occupied for less than $1 and reset the light which has stayed off ever since (the circuit is described in this link 4shared.com - document sharing - download Seat Occupancy Sensor ByPass.pdf ). The only downside is that both airbags will deploy in the event of a crash. A replacement sensor was about $250 and I will instal it myself when I get the motivation.

[cjscopp]

Thanks for the tips. I have also found lots of ABS lights on. Seems like lots of wheel sensors go bad and it motivates the owner to pawn off the problem by selling the car. The thing is though that they all want full KBB private party retail even with the problems, go figure. Going to see a 1994 325i this afternoon that has no airbag light on but does have the ABS light on. Guy's asking $6200 for it which is WAY out of the ballpark even for a dealer but I'm goint to look at it anyway and see how far down he might go.

[darkhorse737]

try the Sacramento Craigslist as well... lotsa bargains there(sometimes...) ;-)

[dwagz]

It's probably the front seatbelt switch (located in the seatbelt lock housing). The airbag will Not deploy (Is Not Functioning) when that light on the dash is on. In my case, the dash light turns off turns off after about 20 or 30 seconds as the system has corrected itself. (I've already replaced 2 (two) front-passenger seatbelt switches in my '96 328ic under warranty).

[cjscopp]

Well folks we got one! After looking at too many pieces of junk I found a real gem. 1995 325i with the sport option. This one qualifies for the KBB catagory of excellent. Picked it up this afternoon and my daughter is very happy. The only thing to do is the drivers seat leather. It has the sport seats with the extending front. Anyone know an aftermarket supplier of leather covers?

[darkhorse737]

try eBay or if you do the Roseville auctions at Denio's there's a fellow there that does custom seat covers for cheap.