Might have posted this in the wrong place before. So about a year ago I started having issues with my passenger seat occupancy sensor. Even thought I had a letter extending the warranty both Mini of Alex VA and Sterling VA said no deal as I am the second owner. They want me to replace the seat but the cloth seats I have would be 1600 IF they even had them which they do not. BMW gives me the "well we can't tell a dealer what to do" line. I have tried everything. I have ordered a bypass of eBay, nope. I have tried to find a replacement seat from a used breakers yard, nope. I have tried Bavarian Technics, nope, didn't read the fine print that the coding unit is $700+. I have tried to NCS Expert running to turn the 0c3 sensor off but the cable will not communicate.

Is there anything anyone can suggest short of trading the car in or putting a match and gasoline to it? I am at my whits end and my inspection is do by the end of the month. The inspection station I took it too last week said "no go" they would fail it for the light being on. I plan to do aftermarket seats and use it as a track car so I likely will not have the seat in much longer anyway but I still have to pass inspection. Oh and the suggestion of removing both bulbs will not work as the inspection station said they can read the faults and will fail it. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

1. Letter from who extending the warranty?
2. Have you looked into a new sensor?

I had this issue with a BMW 540i and bought an EBAY thingy that took care of it. Seems you tried that without success.

 

Which ebay sensor did you buy? I just ordered one for my R58. I'll let you know if it works. Did you install it or a new seat sensor from a donor seat and then have the fault cleared at the dealer or Brav Tech? Did it come back or did not clear after install?

 

The letter was from Mini from 2006 that came with a sticker to put in the owners manual stating that the seat was covered for a longer period

As for a new sensor BWM/MINI no longer makes the part as a separate item they sell only the full seat at 1600 but they no longer make the cloth seat that I have

 

I ordered the sirs emulator http://www.ebay.com/itm/Auto-SRS5-Mini-Cooper-Service-Tools-Seat-Sensor-Diagnostic-Emulator-/151474245394?hash=item2344918f12&item=151474245394&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr It seems this will not fool the system.

Does anyone know of a mini tuning show in northern VA area that might be able to shut the OC3 sensor off? I will not need it once I install the after market seats anyway.

 

I used this for my BMW http://www.ebay.com/itm/161310404862, it worked - don't know if they have one that will do the mini, can't hurt to ask.

As for a new sensor BWM/MINI no longer makes the part as a separate item they sell only the full seat at 1600 but they no longer make the cloth seat that I have

Possibly a sensor that is used in other cars, makes/models? If you can get at it and try to find one elsewhere. Seems like parts are interchangeable across brands nowadays. Just a thought.