Why misfire?

[123NotIt]

I was working on removing my instrument panel and had to remove my steering wheel to get it out. So, I disconnected the battery, then the orange connector for my airbag and proceeded to loosen the steering wheel center bolt. I then realized I didn't have a torque wrench to tighten it back on to spec, so I stopped. I figured my repair would have to wait until I had the right tools. So I left the airbag off and hooked my battery back up. When I started my car, it ran really rough, then died, and I noticed white smoke coming out of my hood. So frightened that I damaged my car forever , I broke a sweat... then I plugged the airbag back up to the car, first disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. After that it started up again fine. It should have ran fine without the airbag plugged in right? Why the misfiring and smoke?

[bimmerfan620]

don't know....but I like the look of your 325 in your sig..... looks sharp

[007ben]

It may have been a coinsidence.

see if it does it again with the airbag disconnected (if you dare). The air bag should be independt from the engine for the most part. perhaps there was some kind of short from not having things in their proper places?

[bmwtech332ti]

This had nothing to do with the airbag. It just so happend to act up at that instant. There is no telling what could have happened.

[123NotIt]

Thanks for the help, I'll let you know what happens when I try to disconnect it again. Here's another idea: could unplugging the battery have had some effect on the computer, which caused it to start up rough at first?

Thanks for the comp' bimmerfan B)