Mistifiying airbag light

[colb]

If @Tearoom airbag scan tool fails to get the light off its probably the module gone bad, certainly scan for codes to see what is set as a first move. Solved a similar problem for another member who bought a salvaged car with airbag light on, after delving into that found it had the wrong module fitted, put the correct used module in and coded that using NCS Expert and light went off. If you have to remove the module it can be done with the seat still in working at the front drivers side footwell getting your hand up and in there to get at the 8mm nuts that hold it in there.

 

[colb]

Strange that you Creator 310+ couldn't communicate with it, are you plugging it in to the diagnostic socket in the engine bay with the 20pin to 16pin cable changer?
Some Z3's also came with a 16pin obd2 socket under the steering wheel as well as the under bonnet 20pin socket, the 16pin socket under the steering wheel will only communicate with the engine DME module it will not communicate with the airbag module that only works via the 20pin underbonnet socket. The creator may not be compatable with very early cars as they used a different software version than OBD2. BMW INPA may also have a problem with communication, they needed a old style serial connection to a laptop rather than the later cars that use a usb connection.

 

[BoxClever]

Hi @colb - interesting slightly off topic point - since you cleared all the codes on my car my airbag light remains unlit but I no longer have the bleed through of the small LED visible at all. Just totally black. Curious. Cluster out for a new bulb then?

 

[colb]

Yes, forgot we cleared all the codes, if they were all historic and its still not showing that led glow then that would lead me to believe whatever had caused it was historic and fixed but code not cleared. Only way to prove that is to pop a new bulb in and see if it lights up when ignition switched on as it runs through its readiness test, if all is well it should go off within 5 seconds and stay off. If there is a fault in the system and it stays on then the led would also glow. Give it a go and see what happens we can always run a scan again if indeed it lights up as it will have set a code(s).