Did anyone in the USA successfully use either of these tools to reset their air bag light. I saw on the MiniII forum that they have but this tool only looks to be available in the UK.

I have a 1st Gen 2006 R50 and the airbag light came on the other day. From what I read, the model has a history of airbag lights and supposedly Mini USA has extended the warranty to 10 years on American cars. Has anyone recently has success with mini USA on getting this repair done under warranty on a car that was out of warranty under this 10 year extended warranty? Thanks for any answers.

 

Bought a B200 from eBay a few months ago after my airbag light lit up twice in 2 weeks (my mechanic reset it the first time, saying it was something to do with the drivers door airbag and the passenger head airbag throwing codes). It took the B200 a couple tries to reset the codes for whatever reason, but I haven't had a problem since. I only paid about $30 from China to get it, too.

Have you been moving your seats back and forth a lot lately? I ask because I figured out that had to be what caused my problems over the summer. I had a couple weeks where I had people in the back seats a lot and therefore the front seats were slid. Normally I NEVER move my front seats, access everything from the boot.

Most likely there isn't a problem, but the computer "thinks" there is. Yay technology!

 

B200 worked in my car no problem

However my light is on because of passengers moving the seat

 

There was a recall on some gen1 mini's...
Was to replace/fix the length and plugs under the seat for the airbag....the wires were basicly too short...so moving the seat could cause the plug/connections to momentary cause a variation in voltage...thus setting the airbag light for an error...(I had this on my car..happended just before my first oil change...so it was complied with ).
The fix was one of 2 things if I recall right...one was a clip on the plug to keep it tighter, and sometimes a new length of wire if thr harness was way too tight....

 

Thanks guys for the quick answers. I will update once I choose what route I go with my problem.

 

Does anyone know of a shop in New England (preferably Mass) that can fix the passenger side air bag light from coming on?? Other than a dealership?

Is there anyone in New England who has purchased the B200 who I can pay to reset air bag light on my car................Please

 

On a 2006, the most common issue is the weight sensor in the passenger seat fails...it determines is an adult or child is in the seat, so if/when the airbags deploy, the computer knows how hard to deploy it...they are two stage airbags on 2005+ PRODUCTION CARS...
If you just reset the light without fixing the fault, the light will return, typical either immediately or within hours....

 

Thanks Zippy NH

So do I read you correctly that using the B200 is a very short term fix and not worth the time or effort??

What suggestions might you have to fix in New England other than from the very high cost dealership??

Thanks for the reply.

 

The tool mentioned in this thread is just a specialized reader, like a odb2 reader, used to get codes for engine troubleshooting, then clear them.
The tool mentioned is just a box that can read/reset the codes in the SRS/airbag system...most pro odb2 readers in shops CAN do this....the typical consumer unit drops this to cut the price from $1000 or more to get it down to $40-150....
The info the unit provides tells one WHERE to look for the potential issue...the after fixing it...you clear the code, getting rid of the light.
If the cars computer sees an error or fault...the code is set again.
The answer to your question depends on if you like to pay to get stuff fixed, or if you are a diyer.
If the seat weight sensor IS the issue...it is a $1500+ fix.....a good diyer can swap the seat or even remove the cover...remove the old pressure sensor that Is GLUED to the seat...replace it, reasamble it...then reset the code...cost, a couple hundred....but since it is not an "approved" repair and is a safety sensitive item...doubt you can get ANY shop to do it...the dealer simply replaces the lower seat cushion/sensor as ONE unit.....plugs it in...resets the code....
But since you have a light....and no info...could be ANYTHING...
THE SEAT SENSOR in the passenger seat is just the most common issue....Till you know more...it is just a guess....so premature to worry...
I suggest finding a dealer or a bmw shop that can simply plug in...and pull a code...give you an estimate...maybe inquire with the dealer even...some cars did get extra Extented warranties on some items depending on the production date....fixes/improvements/changes are Implempented on a continuous basis... So knowing the production date (located on the drives side door jamb, near the tire psi listing) if you ever order parts, etc.

 

Thanks Zippy NH..........I will pursue with your guidelines.

Appreciate the response.