Sounds to me as though there may be a problem. I did notice that happening before - but I'm not sure that it does anymore since I had my Clubman's airbag/seatbelt light issue fixed. Perhaps someone else will offer their insights... I will try to remember to pay attention tomorrow.

Meanwhile, for what it might be worth - my dealer would not have me drive my car with the airbag light on either...and there was a problem with the seatbelt, too..

Apparently they got a "code 93BF on my, performed a test plan for the code, checked connections OK, checked wires OK. Perform test plan on seat position sensor tested OK. Perform PUMA, PUMA said to replace sensor if nothing found. Ordered drivers seat position sensor R&I L/F seat replaced seat position sensor" "Part # 42-10-2-752-671 Position Switch"

So far, so good - since yesterday. Here's hoping it holds.

 

Same problem. The overhead airbag warning light comes on with an adult passenger in the seat. Here's my time line:

10/2 - Got the car new.
10/13 - Took it in. They couldn't find the problem
10/22 - Complained
10/23 - They took it in and gave me a loaner (08 MCSa Convertible)
Today - still in the shop. Ordered and replaced sensors (twice because the the first two were defective) The third one is being delivered and hopefully installed today or tomorrow.

The loaner isn't bad, but it's an auto and it's based on the pre'07 supercharger engine. The R56 is much more responsive and more fun to drive (sorry I digress).

 

In rereading all the posts on this thread, it seems as though there is more than one problem being discussed. In some cases it's the airbag module, while in other cases it is a sensor...but both are causing similar issues.

kewlby, when you get your car back and get the print out of what they actually did, it would be great if you could post it...that way at least we can compare "fixes".

 

Thanks for the replies. I agree that this thread may have two separate issues, but maybe not. It is difficult to tell until the problem is properly diagnosed. I originally had a airbag module problem with the big red light lit in the middle of the tach. That was replaced and now the passenger air bag light is lit when the owner's manual says it should not be. Separate issues, maybe, maybe not. I will discuss with dealer tomorrow and update results.

Thanks again for the replies. Kewlby, hope your problems are soon resolved.

 

I've been having my passenger airbag light come on saying that it's off? I haven't messed with any of the settings since new exactley 1 year and 6 days ago... except to change the time for daylight savings..... what do ya'll think that could be it comes on randomly then turns off after a while..

 

Call your dealer and get them to look at it - and fix it.

 

Please go to http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ to record this issue on file. Mine still has not been resolved - even had my passengers wiggle around in the seat with the light still on. Unfortunately, it doesn't happen all the time .

Greg

 

Very good site to know about for many reasons and many cars. Thanks!

P.S. This link you've given would be a great "sticky" on this forum. Hint hint to any Moderators who might be reading.

 

Sorry, hit enter by mistake.

 

My 2009 MCSa:

- with no one in the passenger seat;

- "Passenger Air Bag Off" light comes on for 10 seconds or so when I first start the car, then goes off.

I think this is perfectly normal...it just shows the light bulb is working. When someone is in the passenger seat, I don't know what happens. I'll try to remember to check next time I have a passenger.

 

Right, that is true. Perhaps I misread SPUNKY's post and thought that by saying it came on randomly that he/she meant it came on and went off randomly...not just right at the start.

 

It comes on and off whenever it feels like it doesn't really bother me but when I have someone you know I want them to be as protected as me... well when I go in that'll be on my list (I have a list of things that are wrong) to get checked

 

I just made an appointment for my Mini to have the Pass Air Bag Indicator light situation examined. The SA told me that the light should only come on when someone is sitting in the passenger side seat without the seat belt on. Otherwise, the light should never come on if the system is working properly.

My appointment is not until next Friday. I will keep you posted on the results.

 

Background: overhead airbag warning light comes on intermittently while adult passenger is sitting on the seat.

Today is the 16th day in the shop. Four different seat sensors have been installed and they were either "defective" or they wouldn't activate. Apparently there is not one single seat sensor available left in North America. They are now consulting with MINI North America to figure out what to do.

The dealership has 28 '09 MINIS on the lot, 14 of which have black leatherette. I asked why he couldn't just swap a seat out with a new one??? He's checking into it.

Side note: despite the lengthy wait, anyone who has an issue with the airbag should contact their SA and have them fix it. The airbags are a key safety component that should function properly at all times.

 

kewlby, I believe what you were told about the sensors is true. My SA told me that initially he was told he'd have to order one and that it would take two weeks or so...then he tried to get one from another dealer in a neighboring state...they were saving it for a customer. Somehow they got one for me and so far, it is AOK though no one has ridden in the passenger seat yet. Keeping my fingers crossed - tomorrow will be the acid test because my husband will be traveling with me.

Please keep us posted and I hope they can change out the seat and that that seat will be OK. Clearly there are more than a few out there who have had this problem.

 

Follow-up from my last post. The SA said MINI USA doesn't allow them to take the part from another new vehicle. I guess I can see that though. I'd be pissed if I bought a new car, and found out a part has been switched out for another car.

So on Monday, some regional mucky-mucky is supposed to come by the dealership and assess the situation. Can't wait to hear what's next.

I have an idea that might help us all out. Since it seems this issue is only happening to a few vehicles (that we know of), perhaps we can get the "experts" to talk to each other and figure out what works and what doesn't. If we can compile a list of dealerships and SA's who have worked on this issue, we could present this list to your own SA to call around to figure all this out. Also add a quick description of your problem, vehicle, when you brought your car in and current status. I'll start.

Dealership: East Bay MINI, Pleasanton, CA
SA: Justin
My vehicle: 09 MCS, SS
Problem: overhead airbag warning light comes on intermittently with adult passenger in seat.
Status: brought in 10/23/08, problem unresolved.

 

As posted earlier:

1st visit for issue: ""Fault Code 93BF seat position sensor driver side open circuit. Checked connection plug X01159 under seat. Found connector not plugged in all the way. Refasten, clear codes and road test OK." The next day the problems returned.

2nd visit to dealership:
"code 93BF on my, performed a test plan for the code, checked connections OK, checked wires OK. Perform test plan on seat position sensor tested OK. Perform PUMA, PUMA said to replace sensor if nothing found. Ordered drivers seat position sensor R&I L/F seat replaced seat position sensor" "Part # 42-10-2-752-671 Position Switch"

MINI of Fairfield County, Stamford, CT
SA: George Evancho
Clubman Cooper Auto '09
Problem: airbag warning light on constantly and seatbelt warning light. No chime warning if passenger does not wear seatbelt or unbuckles seatbelt. As of 11/4 pick up problem resolved - fingers crossed.

 

I hope I'm not jinxing it, but I got my MINI back on Friday and the problem seems to be resolved.

Here's a summary of the Service Order:

Job #1 SRS Light on
Customer states "SRS" warning light is on
even when passenger is in seat
Verified complaint found seat mat not operating correctly
Installed new seat mat would not enable after
installation. Ordered new seat mat for futher repair.

Job #2 Loaner car .....

Job #3 Body electrical
Parts warranty, seat mat sensor
Verified parts seat mat was on order from previous attempts
Installed seat mat enabled seat mat. Test seat occupancy
system all functions are good

In a nut shell: original seat mat was defective. They ordered and replaced four seat mats until they got one that worked. Total shop time, 3 weeks and one day.

It's nice to have my car back.

 

After two months of waiting for parts at Irvine Mini I took it yesterday to Crevier got a brand new 3 series loaner , they can take as long as they want . The problem I have I use the speedometer that now only has the warning light lit up . I'ts hard enough keeping to correct speeds without not knowing how fast your going .

 

Interesting to read everyone's posts. Just FYI, my airbag warning light and seat belt warning light have not reappeared since the fix I referred to above.

kewlby - an amazing story about those defective "mats"!

korby, I know what you mean. I prefer to use the speed readout on the OBC myself, and it is way too easy to go too fast.

 

I have one of the first 07's , it has a European steering wheel that might need to be replaced because they cant find parts to fix it .

 

Problem NOT resolved. I spoke too soon.

I've had my car back for a week. The warning light came on again while we were driving to Target. Luckily the dealer is only a couple of miles away. I called them and drove to their service department and had my wife stay in her seat so the SA could see the light was on.

This will be my THIRD time to the dealer for the same problem. Fortunately the SA could witness this because in the pass the problem was intermittent.

 

Maybe the issue is the seat position sensor, as I had replaced on my second visit, that I noted above. Check out the parts number I posted...don't think it's the same as your seat mat, but I'm not sure.

 

I just got back from the dealer and he has ordered a seat position sensor for my 2009 MINI to fix the airbag light warning on the tach and the speedometer. It will be a few weeks before I can make it back down to get it replaced.

 

Ok Yet another one. The only problem for me is that mine does not throw a code. I have taken it in once and took it back they couldn't find anything wrong.

Now I have an appointment to take it in and have it looked at again. I am going to email my SA and let her know about the weight sensing mat.

I guess we will see.