Yesterday I came across a BMW E46 with the following faults (Through BMW Scanner 1.4 / INPA cable).

BMW Scanner 1.4 faults
SRS 20/82 – Sensor, side airbag, left, line fault
18/C2 – Seat occupancy detector
06/20 – Belt tensioner, passenger side

BMW INPA faults

If you are a DIY-er, you may probably own one code reader only. That is ok. I often use BWM Scanner 1.4 for its simplicity and quick turnover diagnostic it offers, and sometimes use INPA just to confirm the codes are right.

After being a mechanic for 20 year, I can tell that usually when you have more than one of two, this is a sign something is wrong after the seat, not the seat itself.

I removed the passenger seat, connections were all very clean, nothing was cut off, and found the original equipments, including the seat occupancy sensor. I often see previous attempts of fixing airbag issues in there.

Then I notice the carpet is very wet. To find out the reason, I remove the carpet on the passenger side (Just lift it really) and noticed a nice puddle of water and the satellite sensor that is sitting here is all rusty. That is it, the issue has been identified. If this sensor goes belly up, you will have multiple faults on the airbag system. Next is to the sensor replaced.

See the white/green powder all over the sensor. It is dead basically.

So after finding a replacement and the carpet/car dried up, I unplugged the battery for a few minutes (Recommended when you do this before putting new parts in) plugged in the new satellite impact sensor and all the faults were gone, a part from the seat occupancy sensor itself.
No worries so I install a bypass, and now it is all good. A quick reset of the fault. Airbag light goes away.

I remove the key, turn on the car again, and the light comes up for a few seconds then goes away.

Cheers!

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Posted by: jean at 09:13 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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