Air Bag Light Gremlin and the dealership...

[paulbare]

Anyone have any luck getting the dealership to spring for the upgraded under-seat wiring / connector / harness that causes the Airbag light to come on in pretty much every E36 car?

My understanding is that there is a TSB floating around related to the wiring harness / seatbelt tensioner and this very common problem, and the instruction is not to replace the tensioner, but to replace the connectors / harness under the seat with a newly designed / improved one.

My thought is that this is a safety issue that has been identified by BMW, and addressed with an upgraded part, and that would likely be covered on a "good will" basis (I know, "good will" and dealership aren't ever used in the same sentence).

Anyone have any experience?

[Dayclone]

Well I personally have an E46 and the airbag light is on... I really don't care. Yes it's a saftey issue but drive safe :D.

I'll get it into a dealership or Shendi's or w.e. it is one of these days... maybe he can fix it.

Steve

[paulbare]

Yeah, I talked to Shenni, and its either a wiring harness upgrade under the seat, or a seat belt tensioner. About a 2hr fix give or take, as they have to take the seat out.

[Dayclone]

How much were they going to charge you?

Steve

[Glenn 328is]

Can you find that TSB? I have had my airbag light on for so many years, it is fading. I wouldn't mind finding out about this upgraded harness.



Originally posted by paulbare
Anyone have any luck getting the dealership to spring for the upgraded under-seat wiring / connector / harness that causes the Airbag light to come on in pretty much every E36 car?

My understanding is that there is a TSB floating around related to the wiring harness / seatbelt tensioner and this very common problem, and the instruction is not to replace the tensioner, but to replace the connectors / harness under the seat with a newly designed / improved one.

My thought is that this is a safety issue that has been identified by BMW, and addressed with an upgraded part, and that would likely be covered on a "good will" basis (I know, "good will" and dealership aren't ever used in the same sentence).

Anyone have any experience?

[HillBilly]

same bullshit is happening to the E39's. I am glad I have a Peake SRS tool to take care of that annoying light.

[Dayclone]

I was planning to buy a ODB II Code Reader, and plug it into my Bimmer and see what was wrong... but this is just too much of a hassle...

[e36bmw///]

nm