airbag firing circuit - Front Left side

I apologize for not replying sooner. I threw a whole host of airbag codes when I did an overhaul on the car after purchase. I had the side door air bags out, the seats unplugged, etc. All of the does would reset except the side door air bags. There is a thread on here or another board about what resistor to use to fool the computer.

Basically, the airbag (if working properly) places a certain amount of resistance on the wire running to and back from it. When I used the resistors, I was able to reset the light. Thus, I knew the airbags had gone bad. I left the resistors wired in place, and the problem was permanently solved. New air bags would work too. I think if you disconnect or reconnect the bag at any point when the battery is hooked up, or have the airbag unplugged while there is power, the airbags are ruined.

Originally Posted by jonwrong

I apologize for not replying sooner. I threw a whole host of airbag codes when I did an overhaul on the car after purchase. I had the side door air bags out, the seats unplugged, etc. All of the does would reset except the side door air bags. There is a thread on here or another board about what resistor to use to fool the computer.

Basically, the airbag (if working properly) places a certain amount of resistance on the wire running to and back from it. When I used the resistors, I was able to reset the light. Thus, I knew the airbags had gone bad. I left the resistors wired in place, and the problem was permanently solved. New air bags would work too. I think if you disconnect or reconnect the bag at any point when the battery is hooked up, or have the airbag unplugged while there is power, the airbags are ruined.

Jon, yes exactly. I accidently reconnected the battery before connecting the drivers side door airbag after changing the window regulator. That set the code and I could not clear it for nothing with the SRS reset tool. For posterity, I'll let you all know that I checked absoulutely everything I could in and around that door and all looked perfect but to make a long story short I finally reset my SRS light by using Carsoft to clear it. I can not explain why the B300 SRS reset tool would not work but Carsoft did.

After resetting it with Carsoft the light has not been back on and it's been a couple weeks.

Wow, nice. Where did you get carsoft, cost, etc.?

Originally Posted by jonwrong

Wow, nice. Where did you get carsoft, cost, etc.?

I purchased this from a seller named catastefy on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-USB-OBD-...item4cf9b475a7

I figured what the heck, it's only money. I will tell you that this is not for the faint of heart. I am an industrial programmer by profession and it took me a while to get it all working on my laptop. I'm not saying others can't get it working but they better be very computer savvy. And you run the risk of "bricking" your car (which I did trash my GM5 module , but luckily I made a backup file and was able to restore it).

Originally Posted by gixxerguy

I purchased this from a seller named catastefy on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-USB-OBD-...item4cf9b475a7

I figured what the heck, it's only money. I will tell you that this is not for the faint of heart. I am an industrial programmer by profession and it took me a while to get it all working on my laptop. I'm not saying others can't get it working but they better be very computer savvy. And you run the risk of "bricking" your car (which I did trash my GM5 module , but luckily I made a backup file and was able to restore it).

I bought the cable too. I hope I do not "brick" my car.

Originally Posted by jonwrong

I bought the cable too. I hope I do not "brick" my car.

Just read all the setup files, some are not in English but there are good screenshots and you will figure it out. After that, hit Youtube and watch some how-to video's for each software. I can try to answer specific questions but I am no expert.

Originally Posted by gixxerguy

I also replaced my drivers door window regulator and gosh dang dammit, forgot to disconnect the battery. Now the SRS light is ON and my SRS reset tool (B300) will not reset the light. I have had the door apart several times checking wiring, connectors, etc and everything looks perfect.

What is the fault code? The fault can tell you a lot about what the source of the problem might be.

Originally Posted by jonwrong

I apologize for not replying sooner. I threw a whole host of airbag codes when I did an overhaul on the car after purchase. I had the side door air bags out, the seats unplugged, etc. All of the does would reset except the side door air bags. There is a thread on here or another board about what resistor to use to fool the computer.

Basically, the airbag (if working properly) places a certain amount of resistance on the wire running to and back from it. When I used the resistors, I was able to reset the light. Thus, I knew the airbags had gone bad. I left the resistors wired in place, and the problem was permanently solved. New air bags would work too. I think if you disconnect or reconnect the bag at any point when the battery is hooked up, or have the airbag unplugged while there is power, the airbags are ruined.

Is there a way to test the airbag to see if it's bad? I've been checking everything inside my doors to make sure that the wiring is fine after I replaced my regulator. Well, really all I've done is checked for continuity in the wires... Everything seems to check out fine but when I go to my local Indy shop it doesn't reset the light. I'm about to just order a new door harness to make sure that all the wiring is fine, but if there is a way to check the airbag first I'd like to do that.

Originally Posted by 330iZSP

Is there a way to test the airbag to see if it's bad? I've been checking everything inside my doors to make sure that the wiring is fine after I replaced my regulator. Well, really all I've done is checked for continuity in the wires... Everything seems to check out fine but when I go to my local Indy shop it doesn't reset the light. I'm about to just order a new door harness to make sure that all the wiring is fine, but if there is a way to check the airbag first I'd like to do that.

I would not advise any airback checks of any type. A voltage induced onto the contacts could very well ruin your day. I would just replace it. Check ebay, I ran across several for less than $80.

Originally Posted by scottjoh

What is the fault code? The fault can tell you a lot about what the source of the problem might be.

All it said was Drivers side airbag. Problem is that there are three on the drivers side!!! LOL Doesn't really matter now, it just needed to be reset with Carsoft and not the handheld B300 SRS reset tool. My SRS Light has never came back on since.

Originally Posted by gixxerguy

I would not advise any airback checks of any type. A voltage induced onto the contacts could very well ruin your day. I would just replace it. Check ebay, I ran across several for less than $80.

I realize that but using a mulit-meter to test it will not send an electrical signal through the airbag. I ended up finding a way to test the airbag through http://airbagsystems.com/. I emailed them to make sure it was safe to test the way that their video shows on my side-door airbag. I'm sure my airbag isn't bad and I've been leaning more towards the wiring inside the door. I'll be ordering a replacement harness through ECS Tuning to replace it and then head to my local INDY shop to have them shut off the light.

Originally Posted by 330iZSP

I realize that but using a mulit-meter to test it will not send an electrical signal through the airbag. I ended up finding a way to test the airbag through http://airbagsystems.com/. I emailed them to make sure it was safe to test the way that their video shows on my side-door airbag. I'm sure my airbag isn't bad and I've been leaning more towards the wiring inside the door. I'll be ordering a replacement harness through ECS Tuning to replace it and then head to my local INDY shop to have them shut off the light.

Let us know how it turns out!

I was also replacing a regulator recently and decided to check on my airbag light cause while I was in there.
I bought a used airbag on ebay and hooked it up and then reset with my Peake tool. Light stayed off for one whole day.
The next day I was in there again due to a crap fitting regulator and the plug seemed really loose. Like falling out of the airbag loose.
I found the wiring harness part number but dont want to replace unnecessary parts. Plus it looks to be a real job changing the harness out. The plug that came on the used airbag (he cut the connector off and sent it with airbag) is different than mine completely. The guy I bought the airbag from said it would match up with my car but now I wonder. Is there a way of telling what airbag is for what car? I have the part number for my airbag but I looked and sure dont see it written on it anywhere like most bmw parts do. Here is what my airbag connector looks like.

I got my to rest with actual bmw software, which was complicated as hell.

Originally Posted by gixxerguy

Let us know how it turns out!

The replacement harness solved my issue. For anyone needing a harness, ECS tuning has OEM BMW harnesses for much cheaper than any BMW dealership I found. I picked up my harness for about $80 shipped. It was very easy to replace also. If you can replace the window regulator you should have no problems replacing the harness.

Originally Posted by 330iZSP

The replacement harness solved my issue. For anyone needing a harness, ECS tuning has OEM BMW harnesses for much cheaper than any BMW dealership I found. I picked up my harness for about $80 shipped. It was very easy to replace also. If you can replace the window regulator you should have no problems replacing the harness.

Isn't there a bolt holding it in place inside the door jam that has to be removed?
How do you get to that? I looked at mine and it seems sorta unreachable by normal tools.

Originally Posted by CrazyOneToo

Isn't there a bolt holding it in place inside the door jam that has to be removed?
How do you get to that? I looked at mine and it seems sorta unreachable by normal tools.

I used a deep socket to get that one out. To make it a little easier to get at I pulled the pin for the door which allowed me to open it just a little bit more. I'll be replacing my harness yet again because ECS sent me the driver side harness instead of the pass side harness. Now my mirrors don't work on the pass side because the extra plug from the driver harness is for the mirror switch. I didn't realize this until after I had already installed it though. Maybe I'll do a quick DIY on how to replace the harness for the doors. It really only took me about 2hrs because I was routing and re-routing all of the wires to make sure everything was in the proper place.

Originally Posted by 330iZSP

I used a deep socket to get that one out. To make it a little easier to get at I pulled the pin for the door which allowed me to open it just a little bit more. I'll be replacing my harness yet again because ECS sent me the driver side harness instead of the pass side harness. Now my mirrors don't work on the pass side because the extra plug from the driver harness is for the mirror switch. I didn't realize this until after I had already installed it though. Maybe I'll do a quick DIY on how to replace the harness for the doors. It really only took me about 2hrs because I was routing and re-routing all of the wires to make sure everything was in the proper place.

Yeah I've been there. ECS has had some issues lately.
I wont buy from them anymore unless its a part I cant get anywhere else.
I'd like to see that diy if you do one. Would help alot. Thanks