E46 Airbag Error

[Cement 876]

So I need to get this resolved to fail my WoF to get my cert to get my Wof to get my rego

Translated from German INPA. Has just had the drivers airbag replaced under recall.

Anybody faced this one and have some ideas of where to head first ? Or alternately a recommendation on workshop who can resolve cost effectively ?

[M3AN 4016]

I assume BMW replaced the airbag? Assuming you haven't buggered with it, take it back to them, the workmanship and parts will still be under warranty.

 

[Cement 876]

Sorry I should have clarified, the error was present before I took it in for the replacement. Was hopeful it would be fixed as part of the process but alas no.

[M3AN 4016]

🤨

I'm stunned they completed the recall work without first requiring the pre-existing fault to be addressed.

Did you discuss the fault with them?

[Cement 876]

Ya, told them I was hoping with some cleaning of contacts etc on the way through it would be resolved ... they were keen to keep the car for longer to diagnose but I had another appointment to get to so could not.

Horn is not working also (can't hear relay activate, fuses have power) so could well be something in the clock spring or similar which sounds kinda common.

[Gaz 1061]

13 hours ago, M3AN said:

🤨

I'm stunned they completed the recall work without first requiring the pre-existing fault to be addressed.

Why?

[Gaz 1061]

Clock spring is likely suspect if horn isn't working. Does it multifunction wheel? Any of those functions working?

[M3AN 4016]

22 minutes ago, Gaz said:

Why?

You can't validate your work properly if there's a related error. Nobody wants to build on poor foundations.

 

[Cement 876]

13 minutes ago, Gaz said:

Does it multifunction wheel? Any of those functions working?

Unfortunately not its just the very basic one with just the one button ... the horn

[Gaz 1061]

6 minutes ago, M3AN said:

You can't validate your work properly if there's a related error. Nobody wants to build on poor foundations.

 

Airbag recall is about shrapnel flying at your face when it goes off so not related 

[M3AN 4016]

2 minutes ago, Gaz said:

Airbag recall is about shrapnel flying at your face when it goes off so not related 

The airbag is related to the airbag, you're just being argumentative.

 

[Gaz 1061]

3 hours ago, M3AN said:

The airbag is related to the airbag, you're just being argumentative.

 

No just stating facts, reasoning behind the airbag recall has no link to whether the airbag light is present on the dash. Your anti dealer tirade is getting pretty tiresome

[Chanderpaul 15]

Anyway. I also have an issue with my air bag.  The seat wiring I think.  I saw this dude fix it but have yet to give it a go as I don't have the tool to reset the light afterwards anyway to see if it is fixed

 

 

[M3AN 4016]

17 minutes ago, Chanderpaul said:

Anyway. I also have an issue with my air bag.  The seat wiring I think.  I saw this dude fix it but have yet to give it a go as I don't have the tool to reset the light afterwards anyway to see if it is fixed

I'm not sure if I understand the issue but I have the kit to reset the light if the problem is fixed, or pull the codes if it's not fixed. Happy to try for free if you can come to me (Epsom).

[M3AN 4016]

5 hours ago, Gaz said:

 Your anti dealer tirade is getting pretty tiresome

Poor you. 😥

In this thread I said "I'm stunned" because I was, none of your fuzzy logic can change that, it's a fact.

And, if you're referring to me correctly pointing out (in another thread) that if a dealer borks your car they're responsible for fixing it, and calling that a "tirade" you're a little too sensitive for the internet.

SMH. Over and out.

[Gaz 1061]

16 hours ago, M3AN said:

Poor you. 😥

In this thread I said "I'm stunned" because I was, none of your fuzzy logic can change that, it's a fact.

And, if you're referring to me correctly pointing out (in another thread) that if a dealer borks your car they're responsible for fixing it, and calling that a "tirade" you're a little too sensitive for the internet.

SMH. Over and out.

Stunned in so far that they did what they say they would do? Maybe tirade is a little harsh but you certainly have a narrative against dealers which you love to push whenever you have a chance. But that's OK, take your ball and go home when things don't go your way cause you couldn't possibly ever be wrong

[Cement 876]

Soooo back on topic here, confirmed the source of the issues which is great !! Also explains why the horn was not working

Clock spring is completely fubar !! Ribbon detached and some plastic bits broken also.

 

 

[M3AN 4016]

1 hour ago, Cement said:

Soooo back on topic here, confirmed the source of the issues which is great !! Also explains why the horn was not working

Clock spring is completely fubar !! Ribbon detached and some plastic bits broken also.

Oft, that sucks but glad you've identified the culprit, hopefully you can find a cheap-enough replacement. I'm frequently disappointed when related DIY's don't mention re-centring the clockspring, it's both easy and essential.

Despite what others may think the dealership failed you (and themselves) here, they should have insisted that their duty of care couldn't let you drive away in an unwarrantable (read: unroadworthy) car because of a SRS fault. That they'd just completed work on related parts draws them awfully close to legal jeopardy on two fronts; professional liability and consumer rights. Not a space I'd be comfortable playing with my reputation in, and shame on anyone who thinks otherwise. How they didn't diagnose this as a routine part of the work they were completing is mind-boggling (to me).

If you find a new clockspring and need the codes reset (they probably won't clear automatically) feel free to hit me up, can do. 👍

Edit: just in case the pedants come out - I am assuming you have a persistent, or permanently extinguished, SRS light here, before, during, and after your visit to the shop. I can't imagine why you'd be concerned about failing a WoF otherwise, they don't pull codes for a warrant.

Edited November 12, 2022 by M3AN

[M3AN 4016]

On 11/9/2022 at 2:08 PM, Gaz said:

...but you certainly have a narrative against dealers which you love to push whenever you have a chance...

I'll own that, but only on balance. I think I was the lone voice defending a dealer recently when somebody ended up with a squeaky pulley a few days after purchasing a used car... it seemed the entire forum wanted to double down on "blame the dealer"... except me.

I do hold BMW (alongside others), as a luxury service provider, charging ultra-premium prices, to a very, very high standard and I'm prepared to call them out when I feel they've fallen below this standard. If I take a Rolex in for service I expect that service to be 100% perfect, or for them to correct it so, that's what I'm paying for, that's also what they're expecting to deliver. BMW is no different. In this case I think they failed their brand and their customer.

Perhaps in the nuances of this particular scenario I am wrong, I just can't detect that in the context and substance of this thread. And I don't want to argue about it, even if you think that's putting my tail between my legs and scampering.

Edited November 12, 2022 by M3AN

[Lubed 55]

1 hour ago, M3AN said:

Oft, that sucks but glad you've identified the culprit, hopefully you can find a cheap-enough replacement. I'm frequently disappointed when related DIY's don't mention re-centring the clockspring, it's both easy and essential.

Despite what others may think the dealership failed you (and themselves) here, they should have insisted that their duty of care couldn't let you drive away in an unwarrantable (read: unroadworthy) car because of a SRS fault. That they'd just completed work on related parts draws them awfully close to legal jeopardy on two fronts; professional liability and consumer rights. Not a space I'd be comfortable playing with my reputation in, and shame on anyone who thinks otherwise. How they didn't diagnose this as a routine part of the work they were completing is mind-boggling (to me).

If you find a new clockspring and need the codes reset (they probably won't clear automatically) feel free to hit me up, can do. 👍

Edit: just in case the pedants come out - I am assuming you have a persistent, or permanently extinguished, SRS light here, before, during, and after your visit to the shop. I can't imagine why you'd be concerned about failing a WoF otherwise, they don't pull codes for a warrant.

Reading back, the Dealership offered to diagnose the issue on the day. That offer was turned down by the owner of the car due to other commitments. What do you propose? the dealership doesn't give the keys back like you would a drunk at a party?  

[Gaz 1061]

On 11/12/2022 at 10:25 PM, M3AN said:

Oft, that sucks but glad you've identified the culprit, hopefully you can find a cheap-enough replacement. I'm frequently disappointed when related DIY's don't mention re-centring the clockspring, it's both easy and essential.

Despite what others may think the dealership failed you (and themselves) here, they should have insisted that their duty of care couldn't let you drive away in an unwarrantable (read: unroadworthy) car because of a SRS fault. That they'd just completed work on related parts draws them awfully close to legal jeopardy on two fronts; professional liability and consumer rights. Not a space I'd be comfortable playing with my reputation in, and shame on anyone who thinks otherwise. How they didn't diagnose this as a routine part of the work they were completing is mind-boggling (to me).

If you find a new clockspring and need the codes reset (they probably won't clear automatically) feel free to hit me up, can do. 👍

Edit: just in case the pedants come out - I am assuming you have a persistent, or permanently extinguished, SRS light here, before, during, and after your visit to the shop. I can't imagine why you'd be concerned about failing a WoF otherwise, they don't pull codes for a warrant.

Sometimes I think say stuff just for a reaction because you've proven yourself wrong here. The fault was preexisting which you've rightly pointed out therefore there is no legal or moral liability on the dealership as the customer declined. The dealership did the work they were authorized to do, and informed the customer. Also good to know that you are a master technician who is well versed in all diagnostic procedures and repair processes. 

I think you need to pull your head out of the sand and get back to the real world. The difference between the local Toyota and BMW dealership labour rate is about 15% so certainly not on the ultra premium as you put it. 

[M3AN 4016]

On 11/12/2022 at 11:45 PM, Lubed said:

Reading back, the Dealership offered to diagnose the issue on the day. That offer was turned down by the owner of the car due to other commitments. What do you propose? the dealership doesn't give the keys back like you would a drunk at a party?  

What I would propose/expect is that the dealer call me when they saw the SRS light, before they started the related SRS work, and advised two things:

1. They wouldn't be able to 100% certify their airbag work because of a pre-existing fault; and,
2. They would have to plug it in anyway so would I like them to call me with a diagnosis before they commenced the work?

Given the internet was able to diagnose it, without plugging it in, it would obviously be trivial for BMW to establish what was wrong, and offer a proper path forward.

You don't need to be a mater mechanic, or even a mastermind, to see the obvious jeopardy here. I don't think it would be simple to establish liability if the car was in a crash after leaving the dealership and the airbag didn't fire when it was meant to. Regardless of ultimate responsibility, I'm pretty confident that's a set of circumstances BMW wouldn't want their brand wrapped up in.

That's why I was surprised. If other people have lower standards or expectations than me, even if they think mine are unreasonable, I'm okay with that. You guys also need to find the same peace.

But then again, BMW seem to be pretty lax on these "safety" recalls, mine was registered two years ago and they never got back to me, when I followed it up 12 months later they said it would be booked within 30 days. Still nothing. 🙄

[Gaz 1061]

10 hours ago, M3AN said:

 

1. They would have to plug it in anyway so would I like them to call me with a diagnosis before they commenced the work?

 

No you don't. Disconnecting airbags when the vehicle is off will not bring up any codes so doesn't require it to be plugged in. 

Again, diagnosis was offered but declined by the customer, notes would have been made as such thus resolving them of any liability 

[Cement 876]

Just to round this one out ... replaced clock spring today. Horn working and airbag light off after code clearing

[*Glenn* 854]

Well done👍