Ok, so I am just not computer savvy. The ista and bimmerworks are on my laptop for Adrian to be able to tune my car. But I have no confidence in using the programs and in fact I am worried about screwing something up irreversibly.

I say this to ask if there is a code reader that would allow actual programming. For instance I have the dreaded airbag light issue that I am trying to resolve. I'd like a programmer that would allow me to address those sorts of issues if possible.

Is there an option for me or an I going to have to just knuckle down and learn ista? Thanks everyone.

 

Just curious - Did the airbag light just suddenly come on without any battery issue (e.g.: not disconnecting the battery before removing the front seats, ECU, etc...)?
It could be the BST may have randomly blown. If so there is a simple hack/repair involving soldering in a diode between the BST wire. That was my issue years ago. A simple fix.
I think my Foxwell NT510 elite has the ability to reset/extinguish the light. It has been years since then so I can't be certain. I'll try to explore the Foxwell to see if it has that function to read and clear...

 

Having an 06 means that the resistor mod doesn't work from what I've read. It appears to be the typical problem where the passengers seat sensor goes bad. There is no fix. Buy a new seat was apparently the factory solution.

I know some have figured out how to disable the alert and dash lights using PC based programming, but I'm nervous about trying to figure it out and risk bricking the computers on the car.

I'm still trying planning on using the black ECU. But, that doesn't help with the bcm issues.

I hope this ramble makes sense. Thanks for the reply. If there's someone who can walk me through the PC fix I would really appreciate the help.
Brad

 

You'll need a $500 scanner like an Autel to turn that airbag light off. Find a local MINI club with someone who knows INPA.

 

You think it’s the passenger occupancy sensor, i.e. the passenger airbag off light is still on when there’s someone sitting in the seat?

Yeah, it’s “fixable” with INPA and NCSExpert, though it’s been long enough that I don’t exactly remember the steps I took to fix the issue. I think I have a post somewhere explaining it. I want to say there’s a flag in the airbag module where I set the passenger occupancy sensor to nicht_activ. Then I did a bit of sorcery with some resets and plugging/unplugging of the mat to get the module to turn the light off.

I also have a doom and gloom disclaimer somewhere as well pointing out that I don’t exactly have a way to test it short of crashing the car with someone in the passenger seat. I’m decently confident all it does is make the airbag active all the time though.

 

I wish there were other mini owners in my area. Extreme North West Montana is a bit of a car fan desert.

I have read the thread on the setting the airbag light. Unfortunately, I am not sure how to even get to the inpa page where I can reset the light. Am I wrong in believing that I could seriously screw things up just mucking about. Is there a way to reset it all if I mess it up?

 

I’m not sure that it’s even possible to brick things with just INPA. You’re not coding modules with it. That’s when things can theoretically go wrong.

NCSExpert could potentially cause issues if you make a mistake, but it’s not as scary as it might initially seem. I always make sure I can read from the module first, so I know I have a good connection. Then I edit the file I read and write the edited one back. You’ll want to make sure your battery is charged, or ideally put the car on a battery tender if you’re being paranoid.

 

inpa can clear the error. but it will come back if the condition is still present or returns.

inpa is safe, like using an obd code reader. other tools in that suite are more advanced.

inpa might also tell you where the error is (ie the diagnostic code, dtc. diagnostic technical code).

you could also just buy one of the capable code readers from ecstuning. get a good one. If you don't like computers

 

Not necessarily an endorsement but I can confirm that my/the Foxwell NT510 Elite is capable of reading, clearing and extinguishing the lite. However, I have no experience with associated passenger occupancy airbag fault. As I don't have that feature in my pre-facelift '04.

 

Thanks everyone. If the inpa can't brick anything then I think I an willing to give it a try. Going to be out of town for a couple of weeks but I'll update when I get back. Thanks again.
Brad

 

Contact me by FB Messenger and i'll do the job by remote
https://www.facebook.com/nastase.adrian.313

 

....and then a hero comes along.
Problem solved