Airbag

[4 Alpha Zulu]

I've got an airbag light on, had the codes read by Darragh at EM3 and diagnosed drivers airbag.
Both airbags have been changed on a recall about 4 years ago, before I owned it.
Spoke to my local dealer Rybrook Warwick to be told the parts are only warrantied for 2 years.
I asked why they called the car back in for recall when it was 15 years old, yet the replacement part has potentially failed in a 1/4 of that time.
They just kind of shrugged their shoulders and repeated the two year warranty. I could take it in and they plug in their diagnostic machine for £129 and try to get something out of BMW as goodwill, but once I set off down that route, if I have buy a new airbag outright, I am going to end up with a giant bill from them.
Rang BMW UK and were told the same over 2 year warranty.

So what's my options?
Buy a new airbag at BMW and suck it up?
Go to an airbag specialist?
Fit a used airbag but not sure of the wisdom of this? However when you buy a used car, the airbags aren't new, what's the difference?

 

[IanB]

You sure it's an actual airbag fault rather than a connection/electrical fault to the airbag.

Can't imagine new airbags from BMW are cheap! Maybe borrow/buy a secondhand airbag to see if it is the bag at fault.

 

[GIXSTER]

Not really anything in the airbag part that was replaced in the recall which can go wrong and cause a warning light. The actual fault that they replaced it for was the industry wide Takata recall which is caused by moisture/ heat cycling of the inflator/propellant.

The fault is most likely wiring related of the connector or wires leading to the connector. Have you had your steering wheel off recently or any other work?

What I’m trying to say is that it’s unlikely your actual airbag needs replacing.

 

[lambert]

My drivers airbag was replaced in 2018 under the standard issue recall.

Now it’s been called in for another recall on the same part again.

 

[4 Alpha Zulu]

You sure it's an actual airbag fault rather than a connection/electrical fault to the airbag.

Can't imagine new airbags from BMW are cheap! Maybe borrow/buy a secondhand airbag to see if it is the bag at fault.

Yes that was my first thought to get another used part, assume it would need coding to the car?
I couldn't find a UK price, but on realoem suggested about $700

Not really anything in the airbag part that was replaced in the recall which can go wrong and cause a warning light. The actual fault that they replaced it for was the industry wide Takata recall which is caused by moisture/ heat cycling of the inflator/propellant.

The fault is most likely wiring related of the connector or wires leading to the connector. Have you had your steering wheel off recently or any other work?

What I’m trying to say is that it’s unlikely your actual airbag needs replacing.

No not removed the steering wheel or airbag since I've owned it, but will take it off to check/clean the wiring, if that doesn't fix it try another airbag as above.

My drivers airbag was replaced in 2018 under the standard issue recall.

Now it’s been called in for another recall on the same part again.

That's interesting, when I spoke to BMW UK they said there were no recalls on my car, but i had seen online about a further recall.
Would it be too cheeky to ask you for a photo of the letter, blank out you personal details of course?

 

[lambert]

It was middle of last year I got the letter through, moved house since then but it should be with my service folder, I’ll gain access to it over this weekend and have a look. No problem what so ever

 

[IanB]

Yes that was my first thought to get another used part, assume it would need coding to the car?
I couldn't find a UK price, but on realoem suggested about $700


No not removed the steering wheel or airbag since I've owned it, but will take it off to check/clean the wiring, if that doesn't fix it try another airbag as above.


That's interesting, when I spoke to BMW UK they said there were no recalls on my car, but i had seen online about a further recall.
Would it be too cheeky to ask you for a photo of the letter, blank out you personal details of course?

If realoem always used to have prices well under current retail prices. Do you have a part number for the airbag?

Have you checked the MOT site, I haven't had my steering wheel airbag recall done yet and it shows on there.

 

[DJ Syxx]

I'd go with a wiring fault rather than the airbag itself.

I would do as mentioned swap with a secondhand one and see if the code clears. You will need diagnostics to clear the old fault first though.

 

[GIXSTER]

My drivers airbag was replaced in 2018 under the standard issue recall.

Now it’s been called in for another recall on the same part again.

Are you sure it’s for the same recall. I purchased my latest e46 m3 in October last year. It had two outstanding recalls. One for drivers airbag and a later second one for passengers airbag.

 

[MandyM3]

My drivers airbag was replaced in 2018 under the standard issue recall.

Now it’s been called in for another recall on the same part again.

Are you sure it’s for the same recall. I purchased my latest e46 m3 in October last year. It had two outstanding recalls. One for drivers airbag and a later second one for passengers airbag.

I was going to ask the same as GIXSTER as I've had two separate airbag recalls, but as above one was the drivers and one was the passengers

 

[4 Alpha Zulu]

If realoem always used to have prices well under current retail prices. Do you have a part number for the airbag?

Have you checked the MOT site, I haven't had my steering wheel airbag recall done yet and it shows on there.

Not been able to find a part no, looked on the BMW online parts thingy, although it shows an image of the bag it doesn't list the part.
Checked the MOT history and no recalls showing and BMW UK said this too.

Took the airbag off this morning, both plugs were clicked in ok, removed them and sprayed with electrical cleaner.
Put it all back together and cleared the fault codes then went for a drive around the block and the light stayed off.
Left the car for an hour, tried again and the light remained off so will see how it goes for now.
Thought there would be a manufacturer date on the airbag just to confirm it had been replaced recently.

 

[4 Alpha Zulu]

Hoping I'm not going to jinx it, but the car has been fine since Saturday.
Before the light would come back on immediately after clearing the codes