Okay, so here's the skinny - There is a warranty extension for the passenger seat weight sensor in the '06 R53, up to 10 years or 100k miles. Well, my car fits into that designation, however, Mini won't -not- charge me a diagnostic fee (about $200) to figure out if it is in fact that sensor that's failed. If that's the case, the fee would be waived, as would the cost of the repair.

Jump forward to today, my C100 scan too arrived & I pulled the codes:



Clearly, the first code, 71, is the seat sensor that would be covered. However, there is also that code 88 for a left B-pillar sensor. So now I'm wondering, should I clear the codes & see if just code 71 comes back? I have read that the codes can only be cleared from the SRS module 3 times before it has to be replaced or something weird like that?

 

Is that something relatively new? I haven't seen it mentioned in the forum before, and I had been following the topic with interest because the sensor in my '06 had been acting up for the last couple of years (it was already replaced once while still under new car warranty). However, I just sold the car last month.

Why are you thinking of clearing the code? If the repair will be covered, why not just get it done?

 

This is the bulletin I found:


I'm thinking of clearing the code because I don't want to be charged for them to fix or "diagnose" the code 88 that's being thrown by the B-pillar sensor.

 

Those are TSB's (Technical Service Bulletin), which are generally not covered beyond the standard warranty. Did you also find something about a warranty extension?

 

Are you going to fix the b pillar code yourself then? If not, then what is the point in getting the seat sensor fixed - if the srs light is on the airbag system does not work in an accident.

 

Alright, well, I spoke with Mini USA today regarding the seat sensor. I gave them the TSB code in question & their reply was - "While your car does fit in the specified date range, your VIN wasn't flagged as an affected vehicle, so the extended warranty does not apply to you." Damn it. Well, I got the C100 to clear the light today, I'm sure it's just a matter of time 'till it turns back on & I'll have to order the emulator on eBay. Boo.