So I was rewiring some stuff today which involved removing the seat in my 05 MCC. I had to power the car on several times without the drivers seat airbags present. I didn't start the engine, but i did turn the car on.

When i put everything back together, the following occurred:
1) dsc warning light stayed on for a minute (it is off and seems to be better now)
2) pressure indicator was warning me and not going away (that too is gone now)
3) airbag warning light is on and has stayed on.
Did i mess up a sensor? Does something need to be reset when the car is turned on with no airbags and then later they're reinstalled?

Lastly, my rear window defroster won't turn on. is it temperature limited, or did i bust that too? I can't remember if it works in the summer or not - since i've never used it in the summer. I have the manual AC system.

The bentley manual covers less than i was expecting. The pictures are terrible. I was on my own for most of the work i was doing. I do not recommend it.

thanks!

Edit: I was attempting to turn on the defroster with the top down. I bet that was the problem. I bet there's a lockout to prevent top-down defrosting.
I've also read here many times that airbag warning lights latch, but i do recall this not being the first time i've messed with the car with the seat out - and it wasn't a problem last time.... i think?

 

I'm almost afraid to ask what you were "rewiring" , but as far as your airbag light is concerned you will need the proper scan tool to clear the code you caused and reset the system.
For future reference if you have to remove the seats for what ever reason, don't put the key in the ignition while the seats are out. Anytime you cycle the ignition with any srs component unpluged a dtc will trip.

 

You need one of these to change the meaning of the light.

http://www.altaminiperformance.com/p...ender-C-E-L-D-

Although it's ment for the check engine light, it would work for any of the dummy lights.

 

If you turned the key to the on position without the seat hooked up you have set off the sensor. Sounds like a trip to the dealer is in your future.

 

He did not "set off the sensor". He just threw a code by cycling the ignition with the airbag system incomplete. To "set off the sensor" would be to have a deployment.

 

What part of that link stated that it would clear an Airbag light?

 

Trip to the dealer will clear that.

 

meaning it stays on once tripped.

Bim-com will clear it.(not for sale, but if you know someone with it...)
Autoenginuity with BMW extensions will clear it. (~$500)
High end professional scan tools will clear it (>$1200)
Dealer equipement will clear it (>$12,000)

Matt

 

No part of it did, hence "change the meaning."

From: Your airbag system is broken. To: Your airbag system is OK, in one easy sticker.

 

i've learned to live with my airbag light as the dealer is 4 hours away and I can only make it weekend and they are closed by the time a get there.

 

If you're near CMS in Fresno, CA, I'll clear it.

Steve

 

I figured it was just that. I was rewiring my NAV system's signal input. I needed to find switched 12v instead of constant 12v, hence turning the car on and off a bunch of times w/o the driver seat present. I've got a car appointment at the end of the month - can anyone - for certain - tell me that my airbags are okay and will trip in an accident if all i did was throw a code? in other words - once a code is thrown, does the airbag system shut down, or merely want to be checked out (and otherwise work fine if there are no real problems)? thanks Eric

 

I've had a lot of trouble with the airbag system in the past; bad parts, faulty repair jobs, etc. When the light goes off, the entire system is disabled. At least that's what the service techs at the dealer had said. Perhaps it is a scare tactic, or there is a chance that the bags won't deploy so they tell me such in case I'm in a crash with the light on - to cover their bases so to speak.

 

That is no scare tactic my friend. When your airbag light is on constantly it shuts down your whole airbag system until the system is repaired and or the code is cleared. If you or someone you care about is driving a car with an airbag light on all the time you should get it fixed by an authorized airbag professional asap.....

 

I went to the link...just thought that you were confused and thought that it might clear MRS faults

But seriously, that OK light is pretty lame IMO...I don't want any lights staring at me in my car. Besides, the CEL is there for a reason, right?