This is a 2 month old car. Cooper S Convertible.

My passenger airbag light doesn't go off all the time. It lights up and goes off whenever it feels like it and the only way to get it off is to turn off the car.

... and then tonight my seat belt chime goes off, even when my belt is belted. Unbelting it and reinsterting it doesn't turn off the chime (and light) and chimes for a couple minutes long, goes off.. comes back on chime, chime, goes off, random time lengths and intervals.

What the hell is going on?!

 

You could have a problem with the passenger seat airbag sensor. Does this also happen when a passenger is riding in the front seat?

At any rate, take it back to the dealer and have them take a look at it. The last thing you want is a malfunctioning or non-functioning front passenger airbag.

 

Sounds like something is wrong with the passenger seat, I'm assuming that this is happening w/out a passenger, if you buckle the passenger seat I bet this would turn off the chime but like C4 said, this is something you should take to the dealer IMMEDIATELY, as this could be VERY hazardous in the event of an acciedent. And this should go into the warranty repair bracket so don't put off getting it fixed becauseof cost.

 

I've had both seatbelt sensors in my car replaced under warantee for these exact symptoms. Contact your dealer and make sure they have the sensors to put in before you leave the car for a day.

 

Is there a sensor in the seat that determines if their is "weight" in the seat? Cause.. could it be my laptop bag??

I didnt' think the seatbelt chime was for the passenger seat?

 

YES! If you have weight on the passenger seat, the system is chiming to ask you if the pass. needs a seatbelt. If no passenger, lift up the package and the system will reset.

 

...i need a lighter laptop!

 

I've got something like that except my problem is the laptop and a flaky connection at the driver's seat belt. You have to wiggle the seat belt receiver in order to extinguish the warning lamp, and yes, it's on the list. Can't wait.

 

YES, the seatbelt chime works for the passenger seat when the seat detects a passenger. And the passenger seat airbag light lights up when there is enough weight detected on the passenger seat for a small child, but not enough weight for an adult. I can trigger the airbag light by pushing down on the passenger seat lightly with my hand while I'm driving.

 

You most definitely do! I drive all the time with lotsa stuff on the passenger seat, and the only thing that ever activated the air bag light and seat belt chime was a full case of wine!