air bag light

[traveldad]

I had a rear window regulator replaced by an inept indy. He fixed the window regulator but didn't follow procedure regarding disconnecting the airbag and subsequently reconnecting the battery power to raise the window. Now I have an air bag light as a result.

Reading the post about how to replace the window regulator, the author said just such a thing will happen, and only the dealer can make the light go out.

I've visited three indy's with full BMW style computers and none could program the light to go out. Every time I started the car the light came back on. Is there some special code only dealers know?

I'm new to the site, second owner of this 2001 X5, had it for five years.

Traveldad
2001 X5, 4.4

[Zulu95]

Did the door airbag get reconnected? If not, then that is why the light keeps coming back. It could also be on if there was wiring damaged by the installer.
Invest in one of the Peake SRS tools and turn it off yourself. I had to use it when the heated wheel was retro fitted.

[traveldad]

thanks for your reply Zulu, however I'm pretty certain all the wires are connected and working. Evidently, there is some kind of code that one cannot merely disconnect or reset using scan tools, or even the high dollar computers.
There must be some kind of security code only dealers have access to. Wish I could just turn it off. The light always comes back on about 5 seconds after the vehicle is started after a reset. Others have had this problem, they went to the dealer. just wondering if anyone has yet to find out why.
Thanks, Traveldad

[theimage]

Interested in this topic...
My shop replaced the door handle mechanism on my X5. Airbag light on since driving away. I took the car back in yesterday. I was told various codes for the airbag light. They could try new controller unit to see if it makes the light go away. Cost: $700 if it works. Else, addressing all the things that the codes say would cost ~$1300. I'm mostly convinced the airbag light came on as a result of the shop do the work to replace the handle mechanism. Anyway, I paid $45 yesterday for the shop to read the codes and I told them I'd take the car without having them attempt to fix it.

I guess I'll take the door panel off myself and take a look see. Mainly, I'll make sure the airbag is still plugged in and wiring looks ok. I already tried resetting the airbag light with the Peake tool but the light comes back on immediately after each reset.

Any additional things for me, and Traveldad, to look for?

[traveldad]

My air bag light is still on after an inexperienced indy mechanic replaced a window regulator. If the air bag is cannot be disconnected with the battery hooked up. I've been told only the dealer can reset the air bag light. I've had three shops with 'good bmw style' computers try, each time the light came back on. Either they don't know how, or there is a dealer specific code. A member wrote a similar post 5 years ago, now I have the same problem...even after explaining to the mechanic not to disable the airbag. Next time my car goes to the dealer, I'll get it reset. Not going to make a special trip. It's just another BMW gremlin to deal with. They must stay up nights dreaming up these things.