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1999 E46 318iSE - airbag lights

822 views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  Ronnie 
#1 ·
Can anyone tell me what is the main cause for the air bag light to keep illuminating within a week or two of resetting with a diagnostic set, is there a common fault.
Thanks Greeny
 
#3 ·
Check the condition of the wiring to the front seats as these get damaged. Next as had been mentioned is seat occupancy sensors. I wasn't aware of a kit to baypass this, but maybe it will fix the fault.

Really you need the codes read off the module to pin point the fault in the system.
 
#5 ·
Yep, you should get the codes checked out rather than just reset.
The seat occupancy sensor is the most common cause, but it could be something else.

If it is the occupancy sensor, the worst that will happen in that the airbag will deploy even if there is no one sitting there.
If it is the pretensioner, the worst that will happen is the airbag will go off on a slightly less severe accident.

There is about 3-4 different stages, light accidents might just fire the tensioner if the belt is buckled.
If not, it'll fire the airbag on the first stage.

next step is tensioner and 1st stage airbag if buckled, or both airbag stages if unbuckled.

3rd step is tensioner and both airbag stages.

That might be an oversimplification in some parts, but generally, it will either act as if someone is sitting there if the mat isn't working, or if the tensioner isn't working, it'll treat it as an unbuckled person.
 
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