Airbag Control Module

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g8jka
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
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Airbag Control Module

Post by g8jka »

Does anyone know where the airbag control module is located in the car?

I need to change mine as it has become faulty and my airbag light is on but cannot be reset until I get the module changed as it is not communicating with the diagnostic software.

Has anyone changed there module before and is it an easy job? It looks like it should be an easy swap but I need to know where I'm looking first!
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Lazzzydog
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Post by Lazzzydog »

I believe that the ecu for the airbags is on top of the transmission tunnel under the plastic trim. I have PM'd Gookah with this information also so i am guessing you are his nephew?
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g8jka
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
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Post by g8jka »

Yes thanks that was the next place I was going to look I found a picture of a zed with that panel removed and there was several modules in that area.

Gookah is actually my dad, nice of him to let me know he already had this information :head: he will probably be the one doing the change anyway!

Thanks for the info
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Robert T
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Post by Robert T »

I don't know what you've checked to suspect the airbag module, but the most common fault is the underseat wiring. Some of the connections are not well made and moving the seat can cause a momentary interruption and the airbag light comes on. BMW even have a modified harness out which is designed to cure the problem. I would check this first before changing the airbag module. Then all you need is the light resetting.

Edit: just re-read your post - depending upon what software you are using, some modules don't show up as expected. There is a thread on here with a bit of info in - it may not be broken.

Cheers R.
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gookah
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Post by gookah »

g8jkaz wrote:
Gookah is actually my dad, nice of him to let me know he already had this information :head: he will probably be the one doing the change anyway!

Thanks for the info

Why would you want to know that? you just deliver the car to me and then ask for the time when it will be fixed?..

See you tommorrow, lots of love, ...Uncle Pete :D
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c_w
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Post by c_w »

Any update on this as my car has had this fault for a while now; NO COMMs with ANY diagnostic machine. In that it won't communicate with it.

Airbag light is on, but unsure if that is just a red herring (as it's been on before ref the under seat wiring). However now wondering if a faulty airbag control unit is blocking the ECU diagnostic line somehow?
gookah
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Post by gookah »

c_w wrote:Any update on this as my car has had this fault for a while now
and you gave us a day? :D
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I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
Lazzzydog
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Post by Lazzzydog »

g8jkaz wrote:Yes thanks that was the next place I was going to look I found a picture of a zed with that panel removed and there was several modules in that area.

Gookah is actually my dad, nice of him to let me know he already had this information :head: he will probably be the one doing the change anyway!

Thanks for the info
When he's practised on yours he's going to come and do mine. :wink:
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c_w
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Post by c_w »

gookah wrote:
c_w wrote:Any update on this as my car has had this fault for a while now
and you gave us a day? :D
Haha, well it sounded like someone knew the answer!
gookah
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Post by gookah »

An airbag ecu on its way from Germany (eBay), with exact matching code to RealOEM, When it arrives we will fit and then get it coded, Fingers crossed it will then get rid of that annoying light and get the system back in service... :thumb:
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Z3 2.8 Progress Journal (Mine)
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I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
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g8jka
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Post by g8jka »

gookah wrote:An airbag ecu on its way from Germany (eBay), with exact matching code to RealOEM, When it arrives we will fit and then get it coded, Fingers crossed it will then get rid of that annoying light and get the system back in service... :thumb:
What do you mean 'we' will fit it? I think it will be you fitting it and I will supervise! Hopefully it will arrive soon, it has been posted and I will be very pleased if it all goes to plan and the airbag light can be reset with no more problems! :)
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c_w
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Post by c_w »

So at the moment are you getting no comms at all with the car from a diagnostic machine? (ie like checking other sytems on the car)
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c_w
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Post by c_w »

So at the moment are you getting no comms at all with the car from a diagnostic machine? (ie like checking other sytems on the car)
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g8jka
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Post by g8jka »

c_w wrote:So at the moment are you getting no comms at all with the car from a diagnostic machine? (ie like checking other sytems on the car)
I took it to a BMW specialist who had it on his diagnostic software, he was getting codes from other modules but when he tried to access the airbag control module in order to reset the light it would not communicate with the software.

He said to me the airbag control unit had failed meaning we could not access it to reset the light, as far as I'm aware all other modules / ECU's were working as usual.
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gookah
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Post by gookah »

g8jkaz wrote:
He said to me the airbag control unit had failed

Good job it's not working, cos you might have set them off when you ran into the garage wall !!!!! :head:
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Z3 2.8 Progress Journal (Mine)
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I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
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g8jka
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Post by g8jka »

gookah wrote:Good job it's not working, cos you might have set them off when you ran into the garage wall !!!!! :head:
Well you did warn me that the airbags wouldn't work in the event of a crash and I can safely (or unsafely) confirm that they definitely don't! I wanted to get a bump out of the way before I got the airbags working again otherwise it would have been more work :roll:
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gookah
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Post by gookah »

Update.

well the airbag ECU arrived from Germany and we set about replacement.
It is bolted to the transmission tunnel underneath the centre console... forward of the gearstick.
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So disconnect battery (just in case), remove the centre console and unbolt ECU.
Pull the lever on the connector to unplug, and then do the reverse to fit replacement ECU. Refit console and battery lead.

Drive to Autotech in Telford (5minutes from me) where the guy there plugged in his Autologic unit, Cleared the ECU faults and memory and programmed the ECU to learn all airbags in the car, and........ fault cleared. .
A saving of at least £350 on BMW prices, and the reassurance that the airbags are back online again :D :D :D

ps....We are all aware aren't we, that if the airbag warning light is on, all of the airbags are disabled and none of them will not deploy in the event of a collision...
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Z3 2.8 Progress Journal (Mine)
Z3 1.9 Sport Progress Journal (Wifey's)

I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
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g8jka
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Post by g8jka »

gookah wrote:ps....We are all aware aren't we, that if the airbag warning light is on, all of the airbags are disabled and none of them will not deploy in the event of a collision...
I can definitely confirm that they don't deploy in a collision, just fortunate enough that we didnt replace the unit last week before I had my little incedent with the garage wall :head:

It really was an easy fix, probably didn't even take an hour fitting the replacement unit and then off to get it recoded.

Finally after 4 months of ownership my car has no airbag light illuminated on the dash, it actually feels naked driving around without it!

Thanks for the help Uncle Pete :lol:
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gookah
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Post by gookah »

now drive carefully, .......just like I do :nono
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Z3 2.8 Progress Journal (Mine)
Z3 1.9 Sport Progress Journal (Wifey's)

I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
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g8jka
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Post by g8jka »

gookah wrote:now drive carefully, .......just like I do :nono
Yeah yeah, your a lunatic on the roads! :shock:
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c_w
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Post by c_w »

g8jkaz wrote:
c_w wrote:So at the moment are you getting no comms at all with the car from a diagnostic machine? (ie like checking other sytems on the car)
I took it to a BMW specialist who had it on his diagnostic software, he was getting codes from other modules but when he tried to access the airbag control module in order to reset the light it would not communicate with the software.

He said to me the airbag control unit had failed meaning we could not access it to reset the light, as far as I'm aware all other modules / ECU's were working as usual.
Ah right, that's slightly different to mine. I have an airbag light but the car won't connect at all to any diagnostic machines, it could well be a problem with the diagstonic connection line wiring in the socket.
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