As anyone with a build >01/05 mini knows, the passenger seat occupancy sensor fails, is expensive to replace and no matter what anyone tells you a simple resistor will not trick this model.

Today I tore apart my seat bound and determined to fix the sensor. Got the seat tore down, pretty easy. Weight sensor is NOT bonded to the cushion as some have stated, it's merely got a dab of glue on the very ends to keep it in place on the cushion. Now mind you, the photo below shows the actual sensor BUT to get to the actual sensor it's encased in some cloth sleve thing that IS glued together and has to be cut up to get to this part.

So, got it all tore down and discovered the module is encapsulated in plastic! Dammit, so much for getting some resistance readings and replacing the mat sensor with resistors......

I figured i'm gonna try one more thing with NCS and that was to read the airbag module and un-activate the OC3 sensor and after poking around with the code I found it, disabled it, loaded this to the SRS module, cleared old codes and holy crap it worked!!!! NO MORE SRS LIGHT!!!!

As far as I can tell the car will still deploy the right airbag in a collision but now it will do that whether or not there's anyone in the seat, just like they all used to.

Scanned for codes one more time, all clear, checked to make sure the system sees all the airbags, seatbelts, tensioners etc and all report good!!!!

Here's a video showing my light now gone and a pic or 2 of the mat / module.

Click the speedo, this is a video.....

 

It's late so I may just be being stupid right now. What exactly did you use to disable it? Some sort of scan tool?

 

NCS and some mods to the code.

 

in the end for myself I wouldn't be comfortable going here. BMW/Mini coding aside (neolithic compared to my longtime Audi experience), disabling something in the airbag system could come back to bite much later, including even possibly putting personal assets at risk from a downstream owner or fellow passenger claim in a nightmare scenario.

These systems are in the cars as a lowest common denominator (read, dumbed down failsafe) system after more than a few deaths occurred in front passenger seats from people (and parents) not exercising great judgment. The fact sets, like the infant kid who literally got decapitated right there in front of the driver/parent when a rear facing seat was put in a front seat and the airbag deployed in a simple parking lot minor fender bender, were not pretty at all sometimes. And here, if there is any possibility the airbag may not deploy when it should, or does deploy when it shouldn't, even worse.

FWIW, the fix on the Audis I own/have some experience w/ tends to come down about one penny's worth of black electrical tape covering the lighted words. Reversible in one second.

End of sermon and sorry to rain on the parade. Again admirable for your dedication and willingness to dive deep and document. Up to you what you want to pursue w/ your car but just want to have others consider the whole picture, unfortunate litigious society and all.

 

I wonder if this solution for BMWs would work?

http://viewitem.eim.ebay.no/BMW-E46-...532608591/item

 

Here's the eBay USA listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/BMW-E46-E39-E38-...-/190532608591

I would guess it might work for 2002-2004 MINI, but not for the 2005+ sensor mat which is the topic of this thread. The listing says it's for the BMW E46-E39-E38 models, which spanned the years 1995-2006. Basically that indicates it was for the older style sensor mat, before U.S. regulations went into effect requiring the new style mat. Notice also that the seller is in the UK and selling this device in Europe. If it were for the new mat, he wouldn't be selling it in Europe because the new mat is unique to the U.S. market to meet U.S. regulations.

 

Won't work.

.05 cent resistor in a $1.00 housing / connector.

 

I have the seat sensor problem with my 05 Mini. If this is the problem that it seems to be. Why are we all tearing our seats apart trying to find a fix.Why doesn't Mini offer us a fix. They changed out my sensor once under warranty now they want many hundreds to fix it once again. I love my Mini but staring at the red light on the speedometer all the time is distracting especially when there is a passenger in the seat. Give me fix I can simply do in 30 minutes.
Thanks,
Tim Clemons
Nashville, TN

 

firehawk618 - can you please tell me what value you changed in NCS?

My wifes minicooper is doing the exact same thing and I have downloaded NCS Expert but wanted some guidance on which value to change to disable the OC3 Mat issue we are having.

thank you in advance!

 

I also was able to get rid of the SRS light following Firehawks lead.

This does work people.

I disabled the OC3_1 and OC3_2 in the ABG module with NCS Expert and unplugged the seat mat sensor

then cleared the codes. No more SRS light.

I've spend countless hours to try to figure this out. If you get a "JOB Error-ECU RECJECTED ERROR" instead of "OKAY" its most likely cause you didnt unplug the seat mat sensor. Noone could tell me this.

 

Cboy or Firehawk, can you please give some detailed instructions regarding the fix using NCS expert? Parts needed to buy, software to download, exact part of the code to modify?
Thanks in advance!

 

Everything you need is in this thread.

If you do not understand DO NOT DO IT!

Trust me.

 

But I did tell you this in our pm's.

 

firehawk you still have that mat sensor you removed?
TIA

 

Wow, I am so glad someone figured this out. I would not do this on my own, but I certainly know people who will.

Big thanks to firehawk618

 

I have this issue on my 2005 MCS. When you took the seat apart to get to the sensor how difficult was it to replace the outer skin of the seat? I found a 2005 seat which I would like to use but its a different color and would need to replace the covers with my current covers.

 

Not hard at all. I've reupholstered several cars, it's easy although time consuming. I can help you out with it.

 

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Just curious. I have a 2002 MCS, I dont think there is a weight sensor in the seat. Can I swap out the old seats with aftermarket without disabling the whole airbag system or do I need a resistor trick on it like the 05 and ups?

 

RE: NNJMCS
The early models do not have the weight sensor matt in the seat (i think it is pre 2005). You should be able to swap it out. Not sure about what happens when you disconnect the wiring connector under the seat. May need to reset a code after the swap.

 

Does anyone know if there are any threads that cover actually obtaining and replacing the sensor mat? I have uncovered a couple of part numbers: 52102755393, 52102752669 and one of the parts shows available from ddmtuning.com.

Has anyone tackled the actual replacement of the mat sensor themselves and gotten everything working again?

Thanks !

Dan
2006 MCS Convertible R52

 

Dealership offered me 5000 bucks for a new seat.......

sure you can have a new sensor, no problem, there is one in every new seat we sell. godDAMN stealership.

 

I finally capitulated and ordered a new seat bottom from dealer. It comes complete with leather and should be a matter of removing seat disassembly from seat back, reassembly and reinstallation.

With a dealer discount, the seat bottom is costing $600 which includes tax.

Ouch !!! Painful, but can't get around the nagging question of what the airbags would do after disabling the sensors.

 

How did you obtain a stealer discount and how much was the seat bottom without the discount? My light came on and I hate having to explain it to everyone that gets in my car.

"What's that light there on your dash?"

"That means if we get in an accident you will die."