First time scanning for codes using BMW Scanner, need some clarification...
 

Hello everyone!

I finally got my BMW Scanner 1.4 adapter! Had to do some soldering of pins to get it to work correctly, but all is well now and the software is working perfectly, and has found some errors that I need a little help understanding.

# ERRORS DETAILS - DTC(hex)/PARAM(hex)
--------------------------------------------------
A/C -> 0A/44 - AUC sensor

SRS -> 11/A0 - Power supply
F0/80 - Internal control unit fault
12/88 - Fault lamp (AWL)
05/40 - Side airbag, front left

LCM -> 17/01 - Wire, dimmer potentiometer, open circuit
28/01 - Thermal oil-level sensor defect

ZKE -> 5A/21 - Central locking mechanism broken, passenger's door

--------------------------------------------------


As for the first error, I'm pretty sure that the AUC sensor that is attached to the radiator fan shroud is simply defective and needs replacing. When I did my radiator replacement about 6 months ago, I noticed that the AUC sensor was unplugged (probably because the previous owner determined it was defective and just unplugged it) But being the persistent man I am, I thought maybe it just needed a good cleaning, so i took it out, removed the extremely nasty and degraded little filter that was in it, replaced with a similar filter i had for my fish tank, and lightly air compressed the sensor to try to clean it off. Plugged it back in, but I am still getting this error. Even after clearing it and running the car for a couple days with the automatic recirc function on, the code still comes back. So, easy fix hopefully, just replace the sensor. Not to worried about this one, but it is nice to have the car just automatically turn on the recirculation if I get stuck behind a nasty diesel in traffic.

The second SRS set of errors and the LCM errors are my main concerns.

When I first bought the car, the airbag light was not on in my dash. The drivers door handle was broken and would not open from the outside, so as part of my "deal" they said they'd replace it and have me come back in get it fixed. After I got it back from them, and started the car, the airbag light came on, and stayed on, and has been on ever since. I took it back to them explaining that the airbag light came on after they replaced the door handle, but they couldn't offer me any help, even after doing their own scan and seeing the errors. So, I just decided to "live" with it. But now, I feel like i should probably get these errors fixed. Seems to me like they disconnected the door airbag cable while the battery was still hooked up, hence the SIDE AIRBAG, FRONT LEFT error. I have attempted to clear the errors, but have not had any success. The codes dont show up as RED, they show YELLOW, so that makes me think they're just stuck in shadow memory, and need to be properly cleared, but I am unsure of the procedure to do so, as normal clearing of the errors does not work.

Now for the LCM errors.

17/01 - Wire, dimmer potentiometer, open circuit

My dimmer on my dashboard does NOT work. I have installed an aftermarket Seicane head unit, and I'm assuming that is why I'm getting this error, as the head unit now controls the dash lighting. I haven't confirmed this is the reason for this code, I imagine an easy way to see if its the head units fault is to unplug the head unit and see if the dimmer on my dash works, which I'm assuming will be the case. So, in conclusion, this makes me think that their is something funny with the wiring for my head unit, and it may need altered to get rid of this error. Is it possible to still have the dimmer on the light switch work and also have the head unit control dash lighting? Also want to note that when I get out of the car and touch the drivers door, i almost always get a very noticeable discharge of static electricity.

28/01 - Thermal oil-level sensor defect

I'm just gonna assume after almost 20 years of abuse, this sensor just needs replacing as well. Anyone have any good recommendations or links to good deals on these sensors?

Any help or feedback is greatly appreciated! Stay safe out there everyone!

Your airbag sensor is most likely from some slipknot unplugging the airbag in the door with the battery connected which will give you that particular error (clearing it) after disconnecting the battery and putting the + and - cables together will clear it up unless you really do have an airbag problem or it's still disconnected....

Thermal oil sensor is a common failure and surprisingly one failure I haven't had (yet)[emoji1696]

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LMAO Slipknot....yea he was definitely that..... lol

So for an easy first attempt to fix it, all I need to do is disconnect both the positive and negative cable from the battery and touch them together briefly? Then hook it back up, and scan for the errors again? And if i find errors again, somethings either unplugged still, or something is defective.

Did you clear the codes and then re-check to see which ones came back.That's where I'd start.Record the codes,clear them and then road test to see what reappears.After that I would check schematics to see if they all have something in common.Only then would I look at them individually.

Yes, I did clear the codes and checked to see which ones came back, and thats what I'm posting about, is the codes that still remained after i cleared and did a couple days of driving.

Almost.... after unplugging and then hooking everything up scan and clear each code individually and then see if it comes back and if it does then.... We'll go from there [emoji106]

This is why on the airbag the whole battery deal is in there... (at least for me)


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Sounds like a plan, I'll report back after doing what you suggested. Thank you for the recommendation!

The air bag light was probably caused by unplugging the air bag module without disconnecting the battery. You should be able to reset this code. If not, you may coincidentally have a bad air bag module. I had the module in my steering wheel go bad. Found a good used one on ebay.

I have an AVIN Avant 4 head unit with the IBUS module. When running a scan it throws all kinds of errors, probably because of the IBUS app. Just a guess.

I was getting a code on and off for the thermal oil level sensor as well. Recently replaced that. Bought the replacement from FCP Euro which is where I now buy all my parts thanks to their lifetime warranty. I've had to make use of the warranty a few times and they will take back parts and refund what you paid no questions asked. They will even do it for oil and filters. After you buy a replacement from them, of course. Have done this with O2 sensors and am about to do it with a thermostat that has gone bad.

Good luck!

Also just wanted to note to that I took my X5 to the dealership in Spokane, WA for a recall on my steering wheel airbag May of 2019, and when they scanned the car for errors, they told me that there was a fault in the passengers seat sensor. But I don't see that error here.

Yea, i noticed the scan threw a bunch of errors as well for my navigation, phone, all that stuff. I also have the IBUS adapter. The first test i did, the head unit had not initialized the IBUS adapter yet, and the scan did not find any modules for nav, tel, etc. But once the IBUS adapter started with the app, it threw out all sorts of errors.

I haven't purchased from FCP Euro, but since you state they have a lifetime warranty, I might look into them. Thanks for the suggestions!

Ok bad seat sensor is where people get into the whole emulator or replacement fight[emoji1787] but for now let's go with the premise of shit work from a BMW tech....

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There is a recall for the passenger occupancy sensor also.

Hmmmmmm :confused:

Well, I just went and plugged my VIN into BMW's safety recalls, and it says there are no open recalls for my X5. :dunno:

Sorry. Just noticed you have a 2001. Too early for the recall.

No worries! :thumbup:

On the airbag light, your thought and the comments above on what caused it are exactly right. The standard sequence is:

1. something in the door breaks
2. disassemble the door, get to the airbag, disconnect the battery to be safe, disconnect and remove the airbag
3. during the rest of the repair, find some reason you need to restore power (e.g., adjusting window). Restoring power while the airbag is disconnected sets the light.

Like you, my car came like this when I bought it. PO fumbling attempt at fixing the driver's window regulator. I had no luck resetting it with a standard code reader or a lot of time with the battery disconnected.

I then bought a single purpose tool on eBay that did nothing other than reset the light. Worked!

A couple of years later, I got a Foxwell, which resets the light with no problem.

I do also have the PA Soft, but did not try, since the Foxwell does it so well.

Considering how often something in the doors fails, having a tool to easily reset the light is very useful, I have found. It is nice not to need to worry about triggering the light while solving other problems. That's how I do it - safety and convenience first, figuring I can reset the light when all is done.

There is also a chance that they failed to plug the airbag back in, or even that they damaged the connector while fumbling with it or hammering it back into place. :dunno:

If anyone is interested in the SRS Reset tool since I don't have a X5 any longer I am selling mine for $15.00 shipped.

Well, i attempted the suggestion of disconnecting the battery, and touching the cables together, but am still having the error. Tried to clear them individually, but they wouldnt clear. Faults all say Not Present, and are YELLOW, and not red. Attempting to clear them simply brings them back up stating they are in shadow memory. I may be interested in this SRS Reset tool, but it just seems like if anything would be able to clear the code, it would be something like BMW scanner that can do all the coding necessary for the car.

The mechanic who fixed my door handle really didn't seem interested in helping me clear the code, even though i believe he caused it. I very well may need to take the door panel off and inspect it to make sure he connected it back up. But if it wasnt connected, wouldn't it show up as a PRESENT fault and be RED, and not yellow?

What resets does it perform? SRS = airbag?

If he has the same one I did, yes SRS=airbag.

You can find the tool by searching on ebay for:
bmw e53 airbag reset tool b800

For example:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/B800-Car-Ai...n/293091307168

Some come with the additional round-to-OBDII adapter that some of the earlier cars need.

It basically has two functions: read airbag codes, and reset airbag codes. Not sure what years and what BMWs it works on, but it did it for my 2001 E53.

I paid about $20 for mine on eBay, sold it locally on craigslist for $15 once I no longer needed it after getting the foxwell.

I found this while going through the airbag equipment part of BMW Scanner. Why is it red?

To warn you to not screw with it. :dunno:

It looks to be a setting that controls the data bus type for the communications. Set it wrong and you may not be able to communicate with the module again....

Ok, won't touch it then. Thanks!

So, i ended up purchasing an SRS reset tool, AC808, and it will not reset the codes either. Sounds like I need to disassemble the door and take a look. Again, all codes are showing up yellow, and not red.

In that case, it's likely that the airbag is either still unplugged or they broke the connector to the airbag when they changed door handle. So yeah, you're opening up the door again...

Although that's a different number than the one I used to have, and mentioned in an earlier post, it looks to be the same thing. In case it affects you too, here's a tip on what I had to do to get mine to work:

Had to follow instructions exactly. Not too difficult since there are not many buttons, but still...

And then, I had to do it all again. Yes, I always had to do it twice. Every single time the same way. Do it once and it would think it worked, but it did not. Do it the second time and it worked.

And yes, also as I mentioned earlier, if that does not fix it, there is a good chance they made a careless mistake like not plugging it in. Too bad you had a bad mechanic on such a simple job.

I followed the instructions exactly, several times now, with no success. Doesn't even blink the SRS light on the dash like its trying to reset it at all. The lights on the handheld just spin for a sec then it flatlines...and the light on the dash stays solid. If i hit enter again, it just takes me back to FA. Definitely thinking somethings of with the connection, and I'll be tackling taking the door panel off tomorrow. Little colder up here in Montana, and its about 35 degrees in my unheated garage lol hoping to see some warmer weather tomorrow

Before I get to taking the door panel off, assume all my connections are good, and everything is connected. Would the next likely culprit be the airbag module itself, since its throwing the F0 internal error as well?

I ended up taking the door panel off today, and didn't find any issues with the connection to the airbag. Everything was plugged in, and the connector snaps right into place. Followed the wires, and made sure there were no issues with that, and everything checks out.

Still getting the fault codes:

11/A0 - Power supply
F0/80 - Internal control unit fault
12/88 - Fault lamp (AWL)
05/40 - Side airbag, front left

My next bet is that its the airbag control module itself, since its throwing the F0 error, it refuses to clear the errors and operate. I've read up on a couple services that claim they can wipe hard coded errors and send it back to you, plug and play installation. Specifically looking at https://www.myairbags.com/ Is this my next viable option for fixing my problem?

My guess is the squib connector for the airbag is damaged on the door from someone not disconnecting it properly. You say it snaps right in place? There is a certain procedure for disconnecting that airbag connector and should not simply plug in. Check the video link below and pay attention to 8:55 into the video for the correct way to disconnect the connector.

https://youtu.be/P93ucj8mMyM

Also her is another link to the squib connector and how it works. You're codes lead me to believe this is what you have going on.

https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=680542

I think you are right, because there was NO squib connector like that at all on mine, just a yellow plug that seemed to just plug into place without a locking mechanism. It seems to pop into the plug just fine, but I'm guessing that he broke it, didn't tell me, and just thought plugging it back in this way would be fine. :banghead: I will get a picture of what it looks like tomorrow, don't feel like taking it all apart again today.

So now I've read that there is no way to get just the connection piece, and that i'd have to get the whole wiring harness?

There is a "credit card fix" on that thread but personally, I would go to a local wrecker and cut one off a harness and splice it on to your airbag wiring lead.

Well, I can definitely look around at some wrecking yards, but think I might be outta luck finding anything where I live. I'll pull everything apart tomorrow and see if this credit card fix is possible, or if finding a plug is my better option.

I've attached a reference pic of what my connector to the airbag looked like.

Won't be your steering wheel air bag. That throws a specific code if its bad. I had to replace mine.

Hopefully this goes without saying.... But always, always, always ground yourself when working on anything with an explosive component and that rule is even more true in a low humidity environment.

30+ years in explosives and I can still count to 21...

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:bustingup

Lol, I'm definitely doing my best to be as safe as possible while doing any kind of tinkering with the airbag. I was really hesitant at first to be unbolting it even to check the connection.

That connector is not the squib connector that the later E46 has. The yellow connector should just unplug. Here is a link to the Pelican Parts E53 airbag explanation.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...eplacement.htm

Yes sir! OP should disconnect battery anytime work is being performed on SRS :thumbup:

Another reference picture of my connector, not very high resolution, taken from eBay. This is what my airbag connector looks like. There is no black shroud around it.

If the connections are fine and its not a wiring issue, would the next logical conclusion be that it has stored these faults in the module and they cannot be cleared without special services. I see there are several places that will reset these modules. One is Airbag Computer Modules New, Used, Exchanged or Repaired. Airbag Systems, Inc. , and I'm wondering if this is the next step i should take. Again, my codes do not come up as RED, they come up as yellow when i scan in BMW scanner, which makes me think again that they are just hardcoded faults.

I have an occasional airbag light on wife’s x5. Only when cold ambient temp.

When warm and no light, I will get an error that I can’t clear indicating some internal fault with the module. My understanding in my case is replacement is the cure

Ok so now that I've determined the yellow connector is fine and nothing is wrong with the wiring or connection to the airbag, is my next likely culprit the SRS module?
can these become bricked with hard codes just from someone forgetting to disconnect the battery before unplugging the airbag? since its showing the F0 control unit fault also, that is my conclusion, but more insight is always appreciated.

Give me some history on your problem. What tool did you scan it with? PA Soft 1.4, Foxwell or ???. Screenshots would be helpful. I have never had any SRS issues so I am not experienced but I'm sure we collectively figure this out.

If you have a way to reset (sounds like yes) the standard procedure to check if the problem Is in the part is to swap with a common part eg passenger and driver airbag. I think that they are mirror not identical but the plug should be the same. If the problem swaps sides it’s the bag if not it’s wiring or the module


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Ok, this all started after I got my exterior door handle on the drivers door fixed by a "mechanic"

Airbag light was not on before he did this.

Went to pick it up after he fixed it, drove off, then about 5 minutes on my way home looked down and saw the airbag light was on. Called him back and told him that my airbag light was on now. He told me to come back in the next day, and he will try to see whats up. Went back in, he plugs it into his laptop and runs what looked to me like the PA Soft BMW scanner software. Used the same looking scanner I purchased just recently. Looked up the errors, and I'm not 100% certain on this, but i'm like 99.9999999999% pretty sure I remember seeing the same code faults that I am getting now. Didn't offer me any help after that, told me he didn't know what the problem was, and that I should probably just take it to the BMW dealer in Spokane. Felt like i was just being told to get lost, because I was basically getting this work done for free as part of my buying the car, they agreed to fix the door handle at no cost to me. And now the airbag issue popped up after he fixed my door handle issue, and I felt like he woouldn't own up to his mistake of not disconnecting the battery before unplugging the side airbag.

So about a month later after he left me in the dust, I venture to Spokane, because I found a recall on my steering wheel, something involving the airbag, and so i scheduled an appt to get the recall done. YAY, here's my opportunity to get this resolved, or so i thought. BMW Dealer should MOST CERTAINLY be able to fix my problem RIGHT???! Get there, they run the diagnostic, and tell me that its the seat occupancy sensor that's causing my airbag light...and they want a ridiculous amount of money to fix it. So i gave up. Until now, since i can scan for the codes myself, and have found that there is NO code for the passenger seat occupancy mat. So I'm basically just really confused, don't trust anybody but myself to fix this, but also don't know enough to pin down what my issue is.

I'm currently using the PA Soft BMW Scanner 1.4, and i just acquired a AC808 SRS reset tool, that shows me the same codes as BMW scanner software, but will not reset the airbag light. Again, BMW scanner shows the fault as YELLOW, not red. When I attempt to clear the codes in the BMW Scanner software, the progress bar flashes yellow a bunch of times, but then the codes come right back. Same with the AC808 tool. Attempting to clear the codes doesn't do anything, SRS light on dash doesn't blink like its even trying to clear them, and the scanner just does nothing and takes me back to the FA menu to scan for the codes again. Have tried all day yesterday, and this morning, all sorts of different ways, with no success.

Ok, take a moment and go back out with PA Soft 1.4 and get some actual screenshots. Open up the software and go to the SRS module and scan it first and then get some exact codes. Then go to the live data button and grab that screenshot and then go to coding data and grab that screenshot and post them up and let's see what is exactly going on.

SRS Module Scan

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/354/1...89a190c3_o.jpg

Live Data

http://i.imgur.com/OjuUj.jpg

Coding Data

http://i.imgur.com/2EZYN.jpg

Here's what I'm getting. I just now noted that my passenger seat occupancy sensor says it was occupied, but when i did the live data scan, the seat wasn't occupied.

Couple of things.
1. The internal control module fault is troubling
2. Passenger seat is status is showing as occupied

For a quick test, deselect the IC4 Side airbag front left door and send (write) that configuration and rescan. Also, check those seat belt errors and make sure they go away or show plugged in when connected.

I did as you suggested, now its showing me 2 side airbag errors, and can't clear them either now, even after switching it back on, and rewriting and rescanning! This definitely makes me think its the module in the center console now.

Also, for the passenger occupancy sensor. I think there maybe something up with it too. While live data scanning, the sensor showed occupied. I went and pushed on the seat cushion briefly, and it went from occupied to not occupied. I then sat in the seat, and it recognized me, i got out, and it went to not occupied. Maybe it is on the fritz as well.

Check to make sure the write function worked by restarting the program and pulling the config. It does seem like it may be the central control unit but no explanation why it failed after having work done on the left front door. You can also turn off the seat occupancy sensor from the menu as well.

I did make sure it writing correctly, restarted it and it showed up as changed.

I've seen a lot of posts from different forums on this issue, and some say that these codes can get stuck in the control unit after an airbag is unplugged while the battery is connected. I don't know enough about these control units, so i can't say for certain mine is necessarily bad, just stuck with some codes that have errored the control unit and not allow it to be cleared. Can anyone with experience with this issue chime in? Is sending it to get reset a good next step?

I guess I am out of suggestions. If you were near me, we could plug in my Foxwell NT-510 and see if it would clear the error. Short of that, maybe a diagnosis at the dealer?

That particular airbag module (Part Nr. 6900727) is notorius to get corrupted. A simple system fault can make the internal check sum missing so it's showing internal fault and you can't clear the codes. This problem can be rectified but it has to be done on a bench programming the EEPROM. Not sure who does these things there. (A friend of mine here in Finland does these among other things.) You can source a used module as a replacement but there is a high probability that it's corrupt too. There is no other direct replacement for this version module but another 6900727.

If everything else fails there is one solution where you install a slightly newer module version but then you would also have to renew the side impact sensors for the newer models so they are compatible with newer module. All other system components should be compatible with the newer module version.
.

Not exactly what you're reporting there, but almost every time I open up my driver's door (sadly, probably twice a year LOL) I end up reconnecting power after having disconnected the driver's door airbag (with power disconnected while doing that). As mentioned above, it is for driving the window up/down, testing a lock actuator, etc. Restoring power with the airbag disconnected sets the airbag light, and turning that light off requires some sort of special tool (battery disconnect will not do it). And resetting with the tool does work every time, without leaving any problems behind. Have done this many times.

In general, I'd try to see if any further tests will get you info. Such as:
remove the driver's door airbag. leave it disconnected. Power up, scan, clear codes, see what you find.
Similar with passenger door airbag.
Consider swapping those airbags left to right.
Is the driver's door airbag the original part?

The fact that the airbag light only appeared after the shop did their work must be related to whatever is wrong here.

Random fact - on my 2001 E53, I recently went through some careful testing of the central locking with my Foxwell and PA Soft. From saving the screen shots of that, PA Soft says that I have a:

70 [112] Seat occupancy detector, break of seat mat Shadow code / yellow / Fault not currently present.

That PA Soft fault (yellow) remains even after clearing everything in the Foxwell, and with Foxwell showing nothing wrong, and no airbag light is on.

Thank you very much for the information. I have found a couple services online that claim they can do this service. I was quoted $35 for my model at Airbag Computer Modules New, Used, Exchanged or Repaired. Airbag Systems, Inc. They even use a prepaid UPS shipping label for you to use to send them your ecu. Then they contact you and let you know when it has been repaired, and they send it back to you, and charge you once it's shipped.

That sounds promising and at first glance on their website they probably know this problem and how to rectify it.

Any resolution? Did you get the module reprogrammed?

I have yet to get this module reprogrammed, I unfortunately had to cough up a significant chunk of change for a transmission rebuild for my X5, and the airbag module got put on the on back burner, even though i should have had it done while the rebuild was happening, I'm still going to send it off at some point, probably this spring or summer when I can let her sit and use my other car for getting to work. Researching current places in the US that i can ship to, and have several choices, if anyone knows a reliable place that i can send it to get reprogrammed, please let me know. Thanks!