use some needles to either backprobe each side of the connector or into the wires themselves to make sure the connection actually is secure on both leads..

most DMM use a 9v battery so i would not recommend doing a direct read of the airbag, but many airbags can be 'deleted' by using a 2Ω resistor in place of the airbag to clear codes; i have a feeling BMW does actual 'talking' to the airbag to tell if it's 'the right one' so that won't work.

+1 on exactly what error and also; sometimes you can't clear codes when the engine is running and sometimes you can't clear codes when it isn't so try both ways

i just found a thread where soembody had a similar problem and shared screen shots from INPA where it showed 'detonation ckt is too few' the acceptable range seems to be from about 1Ω to about 7Ω.

Apparently you can measure the Ω. see this: https://youtu.be/uAklUlvAIrs

notice that the airbag in the video has a shorting bar to prevent accidental detonation when the airbag is not installed, possibly the connector does the same thing and the repaired connector is not doing the job of opening the shorting bar (in which case you'd read a short across the wires (pin through the insulation).

If i did this test, i would not be 'right in front of' the airbag in case by some chance enough of the 9v battery in the tester got through the leads and sets off the airbag.

I was trying to illustrate this shorting splice in my previous post. If the plastic parts of the plug locking don't separate the shorting splices from the pins there will be active fault code for too low resistance.

@Clavurion -- Haha, you're messing with the entertainment! If you would have waited a bit longer andrewwynn probably would have taken credit for the fix as well! ;)

Somehow I missed your entire post that was explained in the video. I saw your pics (which were about 10" square in my web browser, might want to size down on the future; I always set to medium size when uploading.

Only if credit is due. Eg; I explained how to actually test the connector, not just describe how the connector works (which I didn't see the post from clav). Clav full credit to note the connector shorting bars before I even knew they existed.

The question is: how to debug and solve the problem. If my suggestions lead to the correct diagnoses and lead to the solution than, yes of course I'll accept the deserved thanks from the OP.

No problem seeing Clavurion's post. All pictures appeared to be fine on my web browse but I'm on a MacBook.

When I go into the sub menu and the Airbag, it reads "5 - MRS: Side airbag, front left" Clear code, it goes off, blinks on, blinks off, then comes back on permanently

That would infer that the fault still exists- most likely the shorting bar in the connector as discussed above.

I tried clearing with just the key in the ignition and car not on, but no dice. Are the connector and locking tab one piece? Is there a tab or coding fix to correct this....I am trying to sell the car in near future and would love for no lights to be on the dash.