I don't want to plonk down the ponies for an Auterra (I don't want all the bells and whistles - besides I don't have a Palm). Autozone has an OBD11 scanner for about $140. Does anyone know if these type scanners can reset the airbag light (amongst other code resets)?

 

I have an Actron like they use at Autozone and have had good luck with retrieving codes and resetting the SEL light. Can't speak to the SRS light though. You can get the Actron pretty cheap off of eBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...510784020&rd=1

 

Pep Boys has them on sale for $99

 

Looking for one of these?

http://www.eurostyleseast.com/store/...8BMW%2FMINI%29

 

No offense, but the Actron interface is much nicer than those and cheaper. It tells you what the code is instead of having to look it up, and is upgradeable. That little one is nice to stick in the glove compartment for emergencies I guess.

 

The more I research this and email manufacturers' tech departments the more I think that to reset the SRS light requires a vehicle specific tool. All of the standard OBDII scanners only look at the ECU and not the SRS module.
Anyone know for certain if their scanner can reset the SRS light?

 

My question would be, why does it keep coming on? I wouldn't think that would be something that I would just want to reset and forget.

 

SumWon

The light doesn't keep coming on. I wanted to have the ability to reset it if the resistor "trick" doesn't work (I'm installing aftermarket seats). If a scanner has that function it would be useful for the above reason as well as functioning as an OBDII scanner.

 

Gotcha! Well good luck with the seats. I was under the impression that the SRS system only lit the lamp if it found a fault. Once the fault condition had been resolved, the lamp and the system would reset itself (save the code for later) and life was golden.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=airbag+light

Found plenty other posts that contridict this though. Could be wrong. Anyone with firsthand knowledge?

 

I read my (Haynes ?) aftermarket service manual when I got it in September, I also read up on BMW service tools on the web about the same time, so my memory may be a bit foggy.

One of the sources said there are 3 different data busses, and the generic tools will work on the generic and some mini specific ecu codes on the ecu. I think it also said a BMW tool was required to access the information on the other two data busses and reset them. All three busses are on the diagnostic connector, along with the OBD II. (I don't recall if the OBD II is separate of if it is one of the three listed.)

K bus fast bus, engine and some safety systems

Can bus Control area Network Less speed sensitive controls.

Body bus Sorry this is the wrong name, but it is stuff like lights, locking and entertainment. The Body Control Module is on this buss.

I think that there is a bridge between the busses that allows you to get some information off of the "wrong" buss.

You may want to look at one of the books and see if the Aribag controls are on the main ECU or one of the many other processors in the car, before you buy the tool.

JD

 

SUMWON
I have read a lot of posts that say the SRS light will NOT reset by itself (or with a battery disconnect) and that you have to take it to your dealer.
JD
I will check in my workshop manual tonight but I think you're correct that all of the modules are acccessed through the OBDII port. I noticed that when my dealer tech set my preferences (daytime running lights et al) he connected a wireless module to the OBDII port and layed it on top of the dash. He went to the BMW touch screen display on his tool cart to access the features. I am sure that all of the other functions are accessed wirelessly once the module is plugged in.

 

As for the light resetting, it WILL reset itself, assuming the problem is not major and not reoccurring.

Mine came on and I drove with it for a week and a half, it did not go off. My last car would turn off after 6 drive cycles.

I brought it in to get reset and hung out with the service techs while waiting for another car to finish a CPU update. They read and reset it, it was a simple single misfire. But anyway, to the point: Yes, they told me it does in fact reset...after 45 drive cycles!

So if you're sure you know what caused it and know it is nothing, just wait a month or so.

Still, a simple cheap OBD scanner would be nice to save me the hour I had to spend at the dealer.

 

For software and cable to be used with your own lap or desktop to access your MINI codes check out http://www.obd-2.com/

 

Yes, but having five more instantaneous readouts for us OCD type is priceless




Oh look...you can tell exactly where I am by my NAV And that's 59 in my garage. It's 20 degree and snowing outside

 

What constitutes a drive cycle? Couldn't you just start the engine, turn off and restart 45 times ?

 

Drive cycle is up to the manufacturer. Usually start, run for at least X min and reach at least X mph, turn off with no faults.

 

I have an 02 S. I ran at a track day without the passenger seat about five months ago. Light still on.

Matt