xtr041947 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2008 (edited) Hi I have a 96 523i, the air bag light is on and it has been scanned, with the passenger seat airbag sensor/mat as the fault. Anyone changed one at home, or used something else to trick the ECU? I have been quoted $600 to replace, does that sound fair? Edited January 9, 2008 by same39 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted January 9, 2008 Hi I have a 96 523i, the air bag light is on and it has been scanned, with the passenger seat airbag sensor/mat as the fault. Anyone changed one at home, or used something else to trick the ECU? I have been quoted $600 to replace, does that sound fair? Haven't replaced one to be sure of price but that could well be about right - assuming that is all up cost. Dont even bother trying to trick the system - it's there for a reason. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braeden320 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2008 Cost me 1k to get the one on my blue e36 done at Jeff Greys...so $600 sounds ok. They told me at the time it can be caused by Kneeling on the seat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted January 9, 2008 Hi I have a 96 523i, the air bag light is on and it has been scanned, with the passenger seat airbag sensor/mat as the fault. Anyone changed one at home, or used something else to trick the ECU? I have been quoted $600 to replace, does that sound fair? what colour leather seats are they ????i have some seats . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted January 9, 2008 Seems to be a common problem on E39s. $600 seems ok, IMO pricey for a sensor + whatever installation is needed, but from what I've read others have paid that, or more. It should be possible to trick the electronics (to simulate passenger seat being unoccupied) but like hotwire has said I would not do that, this is a safety issue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtr041947 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2008 what colour leather seats are they ???? i have some seats . They are black leather, with the switches on the side for electric adjustment Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted January 9, 2008 Get the part number and hit the web. I was quoted $800 for an airbag senser on the 7, spent some time on the ebay and found one for $80. Got it here to find it was for a facelift :-( Then I found a website that showed all the cars the part was fitted to and that my part was on pretty much every model of that era and I eventually got one from Ray out of an e36 ti for another $80. You can add up the savings yourself, even with buying the wrong one. I cant find the link to the website that lists all the cars a part was on, but search for bmw mobile tradition and maximillian and hopefully you'll find it. You might find out that the part was on lots of cars other than an e39 and that really expands your chances of finding one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
