Air Bag Light On my Dashboard

[TSilver330CI]

For about 2 months now, I have had the air bag light on my dashboard light up. Sometimes it says lit, sometimes it just flashes. I have a 2001 330ci and my warranty is up. What should I do? Is this something that would cost me money? If so any idea of how much.


Thanks again!! [driving2]

 

[codex57]

Could just be faulty wiring. If your warranty is up, it's gonna cost something to get it checked out unless you have a really cool independent dealer. Air bag is kinda important. That's something I want working.

 

[rp911t]

Pay for the cost. It is worth your life.

 

[BartG]

Airbag Light

I had the same light come on in my car. It could be a few different things, but in my case it was seatbelt locking mechnism. My dealer told me that there are some other part in there that BMW required him to replace when made the repairs (sounds a little fishy to me). The total repair cost was going to be $461. He told me that all of the restraint systems and airbags were still functional so I haven't had it repaired yet. You might want to get it checked out just to make sure that everything is still working properly.

 

[TSilver330CI]

Damn Bart, that's crazy... I am sure I'll get the same thing... I mean the thing is its giong to cost me at least 100 bucks an hour just to have it checked.... what should i do?

 

[WifesConv]

I have it on my (wifes.. 328i convertible.

I personally love my old Opels that barely have seatbelts much less air bags... Add to that if its not raining the top is down.

I figure I drove for a whole decade before I had a car with airbags. So I think I can live with the light on the dash as opposed to the cost to fix it.

Take the few minutes and pull the console and remove the light bulb. Its what I did

 

[aNoodle]

Okay, here's the deal...when you're out of warranty, you stop, I repeat STOP, going to the BMW dealerships. They are sharks who feed from on the flesh of 4 year warrantees. They say they hate warranty work cuz BMWNA keeps them to a strict budget, but they have developed an adiction to the care free, no-questions-asked work they get to do for cars still on the BMWNA doll. When you're out of warranty, all the sudden not only do pads have to be replaced but, lo and behold, the discs/rotors have to replaced with every pad change. They are SHARKS. Did I mention that before....SHARKS!!! They assume from the get-go that they are dealing with some richie-push-over from the suburbs (liike you don't know that your radiator can be drained and refilled by something other than the dealership's tit).

The tricky part is finding a good independent shop. They all say they work on BMWs, cuz they wish they were that good. You need to find an independent that knows what he's doing. It took me a while to find a shope with guys who left BMW and started up their own deal with the right equipment. Good luck!

 

[mrblonde]

great advice anoodle. i will keep that in mind when my warranty runs out. luckily i have a friend who is mechanic in a bmw shop!

 

[Zchild]

You are smack on anoodle, that's using your noodle dude. I have not been to a dealership execept to get parts I could not get on-line. When I was under warrantee I watched folks come into the dealership and the surprise looks on their faces when the dealership quoted them outrageous prices for simple service. The first thing I do when I move into a new area is contact my local BMW Club and get a list of the independent BMW shops and a rating from the members. Additionally I inquire as to which ones have incentives for BMWCCA membership. My current shop gives me 10% off on parts and 10% off on labor. Dealerships are Blood thirsty vampires when it comes to out of warrantee repairs. That's my two and a half cents... Happy Motoring [driving2]

 

[mankiks323i]

peake web site sells reset airbag tool. I bought one my light would light up several times got tired of going to dealer and them chargeing me 100 dollars just to bring in. Finally i got tired of light going on with the same code it was my seatbelt buckle switch. i bought the part 64 dollars removed the seat unbolted old buckle installed new reset light no problems since dealer wanted at least 200 in laber. Maybe someone in your area has this tool forum member or a person in your local chapter bmw club will let you borrow it or reset it for you

 

[polygaryd]

ok guys help me out i took out the drivers seat and unplugged 4 sets of wires under the seat to get it out so i could install my rca cables for my new amp. i ran the wires which was a giant pain in the A$$ and put the seat back in plugged everything back in and the light is on. it has never been on before. any suggestions? any help with this stupid car would be appreciated it is a 1999 M3 vert. everytime i touch this thing something goes wrong, i hate this car.

 

[Kirby]

It's fairly common that if you unplug a circuit connected to the airbag system, you will get an airbag warning light. You have to take it to the dealer to get the airbag light cleared, or buy the tool from Peake Research to do it yourself.

 

[Detrich]

yes- unplugging the power seat electrical cable when you remove a front seat automatically triggers the check airbag light. this is completely normal and expected. in fact, if it didn't trigger, then i'd suspect there is something wrong with your car.

i had a small color touch-up on my front passenger side leather seat and had to leave the seat with the upholstrey place. and, didn't have time to go to my regular shop to have them reset the alert. so, i just bent over and let the dealer ream me $60. normally, dealers charge $120 to reset that stupid thing. but, the stupid idiot- err very nice service rep <clears throat>- who took my appointment mis-quoted me. so, i played dumb and ran with it... <LOL> [bmwkick]