Airbag warning light?

[leon1982]

my airbag warning light came on this morning. I've been driving my MC for a year and I've never had any probs with the airbag before and I've never had any accident that can cause the airbag to go off.
I took it to the dealer and they found out that the connector of the side airbag is not working properly and, therefore, has to be replaced.

I'm so frustrated. One problem comes after another.

Anyone here have the same problem? Any OZ Mini owners have the same prob?
Does anyone know how much the connector is?

I'd appreciate your comments, guys.

Cheers

[IML337]

no idea about the price but this is extremely common. I've had it done about three times under warranty, and I know another S in Australia that has it's airbag light constantly on because he can't be bothered taking it back anymore. I know of other Aussie S's that have had this issue, and my dealer says he sees it all the time...

[bkwalker]

i had that problem... happened last yr now and its been fine.
i also had to get my power steer rack replaced. which was a big job, and the coolant tank i think.

what is with that text under iml337 tim?

having some problems?

[brett]

I've had that problem let's say 8 times in 2.5 years. Infact it feels weird not to have the light on.
What it is "according to Brisbane Mini Garage" in my case is dirt gets on the contacts on the seat belt sensor, breaks contact for even a millisecond, and the car logs it as a fault. I live in the country where when ever you drive with your window open, or open the door a heap of dust enters the cabin.

So your air bags may still work it's just a reminder that something happened and get it checked. ( to sensitive)

[Paul]

One of the most common problems, even a press JCW S I had suffered this fault.

[leon1982]

okay..my warranty finished 2 months ago and the dealer told me that the connector needs to be replaced.
According to what I've heard and read, so many Mini owners replace the connectors so many times, not only once. So, I'm thinking, instead of replacing the connector, I might just leave it alone.

What I'd like to know, will the airbag go off without any impact? coz I dont want my airbag go off at 100 km/h.
Will it affect any other electrical components?

and one more question, how many Mini owners still have the airbag warning light on until this very moment?

[IML337]

Quote: Originally Posted by bkwalker

what is with that text under iml337 tim?

having some problems?

hah always

[OZChris]

This happened to me this morning. I have to admit that having heard that it was a common occurance, I simply noted to ring the dealer on Monday morning and motored on.

Let's hope that it's a one off.

Chris

PS Just another thought: Leon, my MC has a Nov 02 build date, how about yours?

[Ian]

In 2 years my airbag light has been on four times, the last two for a seat belt pre-tensioner fault. My dealer told me no airbags will operate when the light is on, so best to get it fixed ASAP.

Ian

[Pitt101]

Hi ,
My wifes car has had this happen 2 times and each time it has logged it as a fault and required her to stop the car at the side of the road and call brerakdown services .

The 2 airbag faults are 2 of 18 faults in the last 5 months .

If you want the story go to BMW Customer Care in the General area.

We have been told that it is one of the main 4 faults with Mini's by one of the workers at the factory

[brett]

The dealer should replace it. At Brisbane any thing that they have repaired- replaced is covered for 2 years warranty regarless if it was warranty repair at the time

[leon1982]

Quote: Originally Posted by XMINIX

This happened to me this morning. I have to admit that having heard that it was a common occurance, I simply noted to ring the dealer on Monday morning and motored on.

Let's hope that it's a one off.

Chris

PS Just another thought: Leon, my MC has a Nov 02 build date, how about yours?

Hi Chris,
mine is Dec 2001.
I did go to the dealer a few days ago and the reset the system so that the light does not stay on. But they found a fault in the side airbag connector (not sure which side tho) and they said that they need to replace it. So, they said although the lights is off, it will come back on sooner or later.

I went home and checked this forum, I found out that many Mini owners had tried to replace and fix the problem and the light kept coming back on. So I'm thinking, instead of going back and forth to the dealer, when it comes back on, I'll just leave it alone. Remembering of course my warranty has finished.
So, what I'd like to know, will the airbag go off without any impact?

[detrich]

Hello All,

I have had the same problem with the airbag light and have not been to the dealer yet as I am past the guarantee period.

For the US citizens searching about the airbag problem may I suggest the following site: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hotline/hotline.html

You'll find out how to register a defect complaint. Defects which are safety related must be repaired free in the USA. The agency must of course determine if there is a defect, but we could prod them along at this web site.

E. Dean Detrich
Michigan, USA

[N31L]

My light came on last night and all i did was drive a few miles down the road, parked up for 4 hours, jumped back in and off it went....although i switched the car off and on several times it never cleared, this has helped previously when the runflat light came on.

Dealer called this morning and waiting to get her booked in....

[craigsyboo]

This has happened to me twice - first time the dealer changed the airbag in the passenger seat, which didn't help so they then changed the wiring under the seat which was the faulty part. It was also this bit they changed the second time so God knows what the heck is wrong with the design of that part!!

The dealer did say though that if the warning light is on then the car knows that airbag is faulty, and therefore it won't deploy - not even in an accident. Which is a bit of a worry of your light comes on, but is better than thinking it could go off any minute even without an accident!!