hello all,
does any one know how to reset the airbag light after installing aftermarket seats and maintain usage of the other airbags? i may have shot myself in the foot this thing.

please...any one.....

thank you,

 

In foreign countries, the airbags for the side curtain and side of the seat are optional, so I am sure that the computer could be reprogrammed to ignore the malfunction code now being sent by the airbag wiring to the seat. However I am also sure that it is illegal to do so in the U.S., so that may not be an option even though it is possible.

I am not sure what exactly the wiring has to detect to send the proper info to the computer that the airbag is present and functional. If it is something simple, like a fixed resistance or something, you could probably rig a smal circuit to mimic an armed airbag signal and hook it to the seat airbag wiring. That would require no reprogramming. Some cars come equipped with airbag switches, so it is possible to disconnect them without the car reacting, but the BMW system is odd.

Secondly, I hope you saved your old seats, because I doubt that you could ever legally sell this vehicle in the U.S. with those airbags removed, and anyone buying it would legally own your soul if anyone was ever hurt in an accident.

Also, I doubt that the airbag light being on means that the other airbags are not working. Like all "idiot lights" it is just there to tell you that there is a problem in the system. After all, the car thinks two airbags have been stolen, or the wiring has failed, or something is wrong. I strongly doubt that the computer would not fire the other airbags appropriately if it detected that any individual airbag had failed. that makes no sense.

Also ask yourself if you would really want a system where your airbags could be disabled or even totally removed, and you could then reset the light? Sounds like the plot for a CSI episode on how to murder people. Makes no sense.

 

bbt4,
See this DIY on seat install-
http://www.webbmotorsports.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9
You can now save your foot from any harm.

 

Awwww, Minihune beat me to it

Using the handy-dandy thread search function, I found the following link: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...irbag+resistor

Same thing, I think.

BTW, I agree about the legality of the car after this "mod." Officially consider it a "track only" change, and you'll be fine. And keep the OEM seats for if you ever want to sell the car.

 

Thanks all for the links.

I went into Radio Shack today and found no 4 ohm resistor. Looking at the picture that Randy provided in his "how-to", the resistor should be small. I couldn't find any resistor, at that size, that was remotely near 4 ohms (they were all 100k ohm, 200 ohm, 100 ohm, etc...). So I guess I'll try calling Randy again tomorrow, or actually putting an ohms meter to the seat and get a reading that way.

I just need the rest of my airbags to work!

Bernie

 

And don't forget, you'll need to go to the dealer to get the light turned off. Unless you want to drive around with the light on forever... (I'm assuming it's already on; and once it's on, only the dealer can turn it off)