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Dec 31, 2020 18:02:10 GMT
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I’m having a bit of a nightmare with the airbag system on a 1999 E38 728i I’ve got.
It uses the old 20-Pin under bonnet OBD port (it does have a newer-style OBDII 16-Pin socket inside the car, but only works with the engine management system). I read the codes some time ago (can’t find the list I made, but there were a couple of codes) and the first logical step following research was to change the NSF seatbelt pretensioner as everything pointed to that side of the car. I swapped that out for a supposedly good, used replacement. The light stayed on and other cars became a priority, so it got left for a few months.
I really want to get the car done though, so plugged it in again today and it has a list of codes, longer than before I’m sure, which won’t clear. These codes are as follows:
11 - Power Supply 16 - Sensor for side airbag, left 0B - Battery Positive Terminal Isolation 1 F0 - Internal Control Unit Fault 1A - Seat Occupancy Recognition (SBE1) 05 - Side Airbag, Front Left 03 - Belt Tensioner, Front Passenger
What does that point to? One of the codes suggests an ECU Fault. I can get that out and set away for testing/repair, but everything else points to something specifically in the NSF area. Pointing towards the seat and side airbag set-up in particular.
As said, the NSF pretensioner has been changed, but it was a used item.
The car was jump started today and hadn’t been started for probably 2 months, so guess anything power-related may or may not be connected to that.
I’m hoping that combination of fault codes strikes a chord with someone before I painstakingly have to go through every mm of the electrical system connected to this.
TIA!
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Specialist Bodyshop & Fabrication Classic, Retro, Prestige & Custom Small Repairs to Concours Restorations Mechanical Work Vintage to Modern
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vitesseefi
South West
Posts: 2,254
Member is Online
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Dec 31, 2020 19:05:30 GMT
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Not BMW but similar age Audi.
Had similar issues with my last A8. After a lot of messing around I spoke to a specialist and he told me that a long list like that is eithe due to low power events - flat battery. Charge/fit good battery, clear codes and retry. If that makes no change, check the ECU multiplug for security/green snot(A8s leak, a lot). If all appears good, then probably the ECU itself is fried, especially if one of the fault codes relates to it.
I got another ECU and the fault list dropped from 12 to 2. Belt pretensioner, which hadn’t been on the original list but did turn out to be knackered, and bizarrely, the warning light. Changing the pretensioner did get me down to one error - the bloody warning light. I’ve no idea why the ECU thought it was a problem and it worked just fine..... unfortunately.
Nick
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1967 Triumph Vitesse convertible (old friend) 1996 Audi A6 2.5 TDI Avant (still durability testing) 1972 GT6 Mk3 (Restored after loong rest & getting the hang of being a car again)
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Dec 31, 2020 19:19:11 GMT
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I know it's not an e30 but there is a brilliant guy on e30 zone called Brian Moore. He would know. Worth a try.
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Dec 31, 2020 20:06:43 GMT
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I will check him out, thanks.
I will have the battery fully charged on Monday and will put a few miles on the car round our estate, then attempt to clear the codes again. Will then check everything from the airbag ECU forwards
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Specialist Bodyshop & Fabrication Classic, Retro, Prestige & Custom Small Repairs to Concours Restorations Mechanical Work Vintage to Modern
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,901
Club RR Member Number: 71
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Dec 31, 2020 21:20:56 GMT
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It uses the old 20-Pin under bonnet OBD port (it does have a newer-style OBDII 16-Pin socket inside the car, but only works with the engine management system). Where in the car is the ODBII socket - I had a mate with BMW software sort out my ABS DSC codes but it wouldn't communicate with engine or transmission
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Dec 31, 2020 21:26:04 GMT
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It uses the old 20-Pin under bonnet OBD port (it does have a newer-style OBDII 16-Pin socket inside the car, but only works with the engine management system). Where in the car is the ODBII socket - I had a mate with BMW software sort out my ABS DSC codes but it wouldn't communicate with engine or transmission It’s in the centre console.
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Specialist Bodyshop & Fabrication Classic, Retro, Prestige & Custom Small Repairs to Concours Restorations Mechanical Work Vintage to Modern
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,901
Club RR Member Number: 71
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Dec 31, 2020 21:29:52 GMT
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Where in the car is the ODBII socket - I had a mate with BMW software sort out my ABS DSC codes but it wouldn't communicate with engine or transmission It’s in the centre console. Thank you - I'll have a look there tomorrow there are a few people out there who have amazing techie knowledge of BMW code reading - I hope you find one I'm lucky I have someone in Norfolk that is brilliant but it's a bit far for you
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Dec 31, 2020 21:38:12 GMT
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code 1A - Seat Occupancy Recognition (SBE1) will probably be the faulty mat in the passenger seat to tell the ecu weather someone is sitting in the seat i bypassed mine on my old e46 with a resistor cant remember the value but bypass plugins can be bought cheap i would probably look at this first and check all the wires to the other airbag faults also the 20pin to obd lead is very cheap if you havent already got one.
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Last Edit: Dec 31, 2020 21:39:07 GMT by dickie12
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My BIL had an E39 with a couple of those issues and it was the connection down by the centre tunnel side of the seat which is apparently common as the seat is moved back and forth over the years, just needed plugging back in properly and zip tying in place, a bit fiddly with seat in but doable.
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Needs a bigger hammer mate.......
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,195
Club RR Member Number: 170
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It’s in the centre console. Thank you - I'll have a look there tomorrow there are a few people out there who have amazing techie knowledge of BMW code reading - I hope you find one I'm lucky I have someone in Norfolk that is brilliant but it's a bit far for you With a BMW Pin to OBD converter lead, I know for sure the following work, at least on the same vintage E39 -INPA -Carly I suspect most OBD-II readers would work this way, as well as NCS-Expert ; another way to code BMWs. It managed to communicate with all of the required modules . I can see what brand of cable I have inherited if you wish ; the converter cable that is. I've managed to code a friends' '98 540i using Carly too! I'd offer to help 'if I was closer'. I doubt a trip to Norfolk would go do well now!
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Last Edit: Jan 3, 2021 22:29:22 GMT by ChasR
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