Has anyone else had a problem with the weight sensor for the seatbelt in a seat issuing a warning even though there's nothing in that seat? That's becoming a routine problem for me, to the point that I now drive around with all seatbelts fastened at all times, and STILL occasionally get an alert.

I think officially, that alert isn't supposed to trigger until there is something that weighs at least 20 pounds in a particular seat.

I'll mention it when I go in for "Dory"'s annual service in July, but wondered if it's a known problem.

 

Use BimmerCode app to disable the seat bealt warning sound.

 

Good suggestion. I'd been thinking of trying BimmerCode anyway.

[Update: Still got a seat belt warning after turning off passenger seatbelt alerts in BimmerCode. Driver seat belt was fastened at the time, as were both rear seat belts. Guess I'll still ask the dealer about them next time I'm in for service.]

 

Took "Dory" in to our local MINI dealer for her annual oil change and service today, and showed them the "Passenger restraint system service request malfunction." They said they tracked it down to moisture somehow having gotten into the front passenger seat sometime, and were able to solve the problem by resetting the error report. The diagnosis and error code reset were covered under warranty.

Here's hoping the fix lasts!

Note: I wondered if the dealer would notice or complain about the changes I've made to "Dory" with BimmerCode. If they noticed, they didn't complain.

 

Update: The malfunction returned the next day and again the day after that, even though no moisture was anywhere near the car. "Dory" has been back at the dealer for further diagnosis for three days now. Fortunately, it's covered under warranty so far.

 

Update: Our local dealer has now tried three times to permanently fix the Passenger Restraint System malfunction we've been experiencing with Dory, our '22 Sidewalk. The error they are finding is fault 930A1C in the Airbag Control Unit. It appears to be sensing moisture, such as if someone had spilled water on the front passenger seat. The recommended fix is to clear the fault and dry off the passenger seat. When that failed, they were told by "TSE" that seat mat contamination cannot be fixed and must be replaced.

The part lists for $2,600, but they are willing to cut the price to $1,600. On the other hand, they do not consider it a warranty matter, despite it involving the airbag control unit, because it's not their fault if someone spilled water on the seat. Because we are the second owners of this car, I can't absolutely guarantee no one ever spilled water on that seat, but neither my wife nor I ever remembers doing so, and we've never left the car out in the rain with the top down either. (We live in a desert, and the car is always garaged at home.)

If this is just an annoying error message that has to be reset occasionally, I'm inclined to just ignore it, or use a program like BimmerLink to clear it whenever it occurs. On the other hand, if we are ever in a bad accident and that airbag fails to go off when needed, that would be bad.

I checked with BMW's national service number, and they say whether it's a warranty repair or not is up to the dealer to determine.

Has anyone else ever heard of this issue, or found a real solution for it? Also, is it just an annoying warning that can be acknowledged and then ignored, or is it a serious warning that our airbag may not function if ever needed?