Passenger Airbag Light & Power Steering Issues At The Same Time - Coincidence??

cannan · #1 08-22-2012, 10:43 AM

My wife daily drives our 06 4.8IS and yesterday on the way home she said that the airbag light for the passenger side was illuminated (no passenger in the seat). I said no biggie it more than likely needs the sensor mat replaced. I know there was a recall at one time although it sounds like from what I've read the dealers aren't so kind to those with late model 06 / 4.8IS builds. I went out and looked at it when she got and it was on but I also noticed that it was more or less flickering than 100% illuminated.

Then this morning she gets about halfway up the street and turns around to come back home. Now the passenger airbag light is still lightly illuminated / flickering and the seat belt light is also illuminated. She has her seat belt on but the light will not go out and the chimes did their thing for 90 seconds. At this point now I'm thinking the passenger airbag module has gone bad or has a loose connection.

Then on top of that she said something is wrong with the steering. At this point I'm thinking she a hypochondriac and I get in and drive it up and down the street. She was right the steering is heavy, especially at low speeds. I got out and visually checked and saw no noticeable leaks from the power steering and there are no "noises". I know the car is equipped with the servotronic which if I'm not mistaken is also controlled / assisted by the general module. I've seen where some people have replaced the GM and it fixes their steering issue.

She ended up driving my car to work and I took the X5. About halfway to work the airbag light and seatbelt light went off and as I was pulling into the parking deck I noticed the steering was better at lower speeds. Still not what it should be, but better than it was this morning.

So I'm wondering from the experienced technical guys out there if there is any correlation between the general module with regards to controlling the servotronic and the airbag lights / system?? Or am I just extremely unlucky and have a power steering rack going out while at the same time having a bad passenger side airbag module?? The X5 is going into my local indy shop tonight because things like this are something I will not / do not typically tackle. I'm just hoping that I can get a better idea of what is going on. I would hate to have to replace a power steering rack & airbag control module in one visit. That could really break the bank.

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cannan · #2 08-22-2012, 03:58 PM

I was fiddling with the fuses at lunch today, and when I started the car back up both lights were off and the servotronic was functioning just fine. I went back out again two hours later and the lights were back on and the servotronic was definitely not working. I needed a good amount of force to move the wheel in the parking lot.

I'm almost convinced that it's an electronic gremlin somewhere. Unfortunately the GT1 is saying "no communication" when plugged in!!!

TwinsPoppa · #3 08-22-2012, 04:17 PM

Wonder if you have some loose fuses?

I would volunteer my GT1 but I won't have it until after Bimmerfest this Sunday.

cannan · #4 08-22-2012, 07:43 PM

When I checked the fuse blocks (front & rear) at lunch I didn't notice any that were loose. I took out and then replaced the fuses for the servotronic and airbags. But just because they appear to be in there tight doesn't mean that something connection wise isn't loose along the way from the fuse block.

I had it by my Indy this morning and they were getting a "no connection" from the GT1 (I assume that is what they were using). I hate that BMW daisy chains all the various "modules" together. It could be a huge pain in the ass to figure out exactly which one could be faulty.

SlickGT1 · #5 08-23-2012, 09:48 AM

If you were getting no connection, your voltage might be too low for it. I was getting the same thing till I realized it. Also if you have bluetooth, turn it off on your phone. It draws enough juice to not let the GT1 connect, especially when the car is off. I put mine on a booster, just in case when connecting GT1.

Go unlock your OBC, search for instructions on here. Then run the voltage test. You unlock your OBC once, and it stays unlocked. Let us know what your voltage is when the car is running, and also test it with a volt meter when the car is off.

cannan · #6 08-23-2012, 10:18 PM

I dropped it off at the shop last night and didn't have access, but that is essentially what they did. They were getting crazy read outs in terms of the battery's power. I cannot remember everything technically he told me over the phone but the majority opinion is that the battery is on it's way out (it's the original). They cleared all the faults and brought the battery up to full charge and I haven't had any problems since I got it this afternoon. I new battery is going ASAP.

tomcat · #7 09-07-2012, 09:42 PM

Any update on this? Mine has been having similar issues.

Scott

Bouchedag84 · #8 07-31-2016, 04:37 PM

Bump! I'm having the exact same thing happening right now!
I replaced the rear door (drivers side) door carrier without issues. 2 weeks later the airbag light comes. Day after, the seatbelt light comes on and the ding continutes forever. I clear all codes using INPA and DIS and the lights are still on. I took a break then had to run an errand and the steering feels way wrong. When I turn, it sort of jitters and shakes and there is no help from the power steering. Wtf is going on?
I know I had my laptop hooked up to the vehicle for a few hours while diagnosing my original airbag light and trying to clear it (without success) but that shouldn't have drained the battery that quick, should it? Help!

Qsilver7 · #9 07-31-2016, 06:20 PM

Since you do know that you were drawing power from the battery, and the OP said his problems were fixed by charging the battery...have you performed TEST 9 or pulled out your multimeter yet to check the battery's voltage (cold) before starting the engine?

If not, that would be the 1st thing I'd do.

Bouchedag84 · #10 07-31-2016, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Since you do know that you were drawing power from the battery, and the OP said his problems were fixed by charging the battery...have you performed TEST 9 or pulled out your multimeter yet to check the battery's voltage (cold) before starting the engine?

If not, that would be the 1st thing I'd do.

What in the hootenanny is Test 9?!
Couldn't I just drive it for awhile and the alternator would charge the battery back up to proper voltage?? (sorry if that's dumb, vehicle electronics are not my forte)

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