rcook 0 Report post Posted June 9, 2010 Hi there, I have an e38 1994 740i with the airbag light on which has caused me to fail my WOF, I have had it scanned and is fault code 20 which is the occupancy sensor. Does anyone know a quick easy fix for this or offer me some help with getting it fixed ASAP! any help much appreciated thanks in advance . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pureboiracer 0 Report post Posted June 9, 2010 there is no quick and easy fix for airbag faults... there will most likely be a fault in the occupancy sensor. (in the seat) or high resistance somewhere in the wiring at a plug or something... unless your pretty handy with a multimeter and know your way around airbag wiring i would suggest taking it to your local bmw specialist.. may seem the expensive way but they will spend a whole lot less time diagnosing the fault than a random garage, and they will fix it properly, meaning your airbags will work should you ever be unfortunate enough to need them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted June 9, 2010 either get a new seat sensor mat fitted approx $600 done , or swap the seat for another one approx $300. you still will need the srs light reset Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
master garion 1 Report post Posted June 9, 2010 Had the same fault in my E46 recently. BM Workshop replaced the seat mat sensor and they said it's actually a pretty common problem. The part costs around 300+gst and takes a couple of hours of labour. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jono51 59 Report post Posted June 10, 2010 Where abouts are you, if you are in Wellington we can help cheers Jon and Keren Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arros 0 Report post Posted June 12, 2010 Had just this issue myself: E39 I got a new seat from Ray (HellBm- forum sponsor) in Silverdale Auckland for a good price. Apparently often caused by people (children mostly) kneeling or standing on the seat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted June 12, 2010 Apparently often caused by people (children mostly) kneeling or standing on the seat. Wrong... a misconception... it's age.. the material that holds the pressure sensors and circuit wiring gets brittle with age and fractures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arros 0 Report post Posted June 13, 2010 Thanks *Glenn* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braeden320 0 Report post Posted June 13, 2010 Apparently often caused by people (children mostly) kneeling or standing on the seat. Exactly what JG bmw said when I got mine done also. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted June 13, 2010 Exactly what JG bmw said when I got mine done also. The failure is in the sensor mat material.. dropping any thing on it can set it off... but its still an age / material fault. The mats get brittle with age Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted June 13, 2010 yea i was selling my 99 540i touring a couple of years ago and the buyer was a huge guy and when he sat in the passenger seat the airbag light came on and stayed on , he still brought the car , his problem anyway he broke it , but the car had done 200,000 odd k's Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
