Driver's seat and air bag malfunction

[stmc]

2015 X5 50i

Apparently I lost the function of all driver's seat buttons, except lumbar support, at or near the same moment as the SRS malfunction notice, "Driver's Restraint System Malfunction," displayed on the instrument cluster. I need some guidance. Fuse 68 has tested good.

1. How do I remove the seat button panel without damaging its fasteners?

2. How do I gain enough access under the seat to check for a loose connection?

3. Do I risk setting off the side airbags by working at the side or under the seat?

4. Any idea how the two malfunctions are related? It was a rainy day, but copious water didn't enter the seat area.


Thanks for input.

[Zulu95]

Buy a Foxwell scanner or the like, read the codes and post them. Don't go groping around in the dark. Somebody should then be able to post info on how to proceed.

[stmc]

I have tried the Foxwell 510 that I used on my E53. The memory card was updated recently. It didn't find a fault code. Do I need a more sophisticated scanner model?

[Zulu95]

I use the Foxwell 530 with the F15 and also the Bimmergeeks Protool app.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by stmc

I have tried the Foxwell 510 that I used on my E53. The memory card was updated recently. It didn't find a fault code. Do I need a more sophisticated scanner model?

510 and 520 won't work well with an F15 chassis X5. Why I was forced to "upgrade" to an NT 530.

[stmc]

Thanks for the information on the Foxwell products. I was wondering if I needed to upgrade that scanner or move to a different platform all together. Do you know if the Foxwell you have can access SRS codes?

[Zulu95]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

510 and 520 won't work well with an F15 chassis X5. Why I was forced to "upgrade" to an NT 530.

Exact same boat I was in as the 510 just did not cut the new F15 bus. Basic stuff was OK sometimes but I got a lot of connection failures also.
I have used the 530 a number of times and it does offer a "quick and dirty" resource to recourse.

[stmc]

I am still trying to troubleshoot the lack of any seat movement except the lumbar support in my driver's seat. Can I switch the known good passenger controls which appear identical to try moving the driver's seat? What is the grille cover on the floor directly under the front near side of the driver's seat covering? Those holes probably serve their function well, but could let rain run straight unto the compartment. I have looked at the circuit board inside the seat button case; there is no sign of water damage. There was a definitely deluge occurring the last time the seat worked and prior to the driver's seat restraint light appearing. Is there a pin out available for the F15? I miss not having a Bentley service manual.