I was driving my 2013 MCS the other day when I got the airbag warning light on the dash and I noticed that the yellow "Passenger Airbag Off" indicator was ON. Few moments prior to that, I had placed my iPhone on the passenger seat, which was empty. Now the car shows an airbag warning pretty much as soon as it's turned on, and the fault code is CC-ID 097. A did a test drive today with a passenger and the "Passenger Airbag Off" light was ON initially but eventually turned OFF. I read somewhere that when a Restraint System fault is detected, it remains in the memory of the ECU (or dash, or whatever module is responsible for the airbags) even if the original issue is no longer detected. Couple questions:
1. Do you think the iPhone could have triggered the original error?
2. Do you know of any software (Android, iPhone or Windows) that can get read & reset the warning? I have an ELM327 OBD Bluetooth as well as a couple USB OBD adapters. I tried Torque (on an Android device) but with no luck.
3. Do you know if a place like Autozone or Napa or O'Reilly would have the right scanner to read & reset the fault?
Needless to say, I'd like to stay away from the dealership.

 

Quick update: I bough a MINI/BMW specific scanner and was able to read the exact error code (93C3, Seat - Occupancy Detector - Passenger). I then cleared the error, and now everything seems to be fine (20min test drive). I also called the local MINI dealership, and I was told that there is an extended warranty on those occupancy sensors (10 years and XX miles, can't remember the exact number, but it was high). In short: for now I'm good as I think the phone triggered the error, but if it happens again I'll take the car in to have it fixed under warranty.

 

Last update: error appeared again, took the car to the dealership and they replaced the passenger occupancy mat under the extended warranty.