Airbag Issue on Sport Steering Wheel
 

So i finally was able to install my sport steering wheel. But the airbag light came on, so i was at a shop that had a code reader, he reset it only for it to come back on. So i decided to put my old steering wheel back on to avoid any types of "accidents."

I then talked to somebody who installed a steering wheel, he said that after you drive about 10 minutes the airbag light would go off..

now the real question is, if the code reader cleared the airbag light, and it came back on, would it clear if i drove the car?

If it was cleared and came right back it see's it as a "currently present" problem. What was the fault description?

The code read drivers side airbag error. So do u think it wouldve cleared with driving or there's another issue?

Driving doesn't clear airbag codes... I really wish "code readers" gave the full fault description like I get at work as there are numerous possible faults with each airbag circuit.

If the light is out now with the original bag on there I'd wait for the key to be off for a few minutes so the circuit isn't "awake" or monitored and swap over to the new setup. When the old bag is out before putting the new one in I'd look really closely at every little piece of the connectors of both to make sure no little tabs are broken on it. The reason for this is there is what is called a "terminating bridge" on the airbag connector that jumps both pins together when it is unplugged to prevent static/electric charge from deploying the bag. And if the connector isn't 100% engaged when plugged in that will still have it jumped and throw the code for "resistance too low" meaning it sees a short. I'd try the new setup again paying extra attention to making sure the connector is fully engaged and all locks in place on the locking connector.

The guy didn't disconnect the battery when he did the job. Do u think that is the problem?

It doesn't have to be disconnected if the key has been off for long enough where the system is sleeping/not monitored. But the battery disconnected is extra assurance that it isn't monitored when the switch is made.

But that it came right back after being cleared tells me it still sees a problem, most likely wasn't 100% plugged in properly as described above. The terminating bridges will get them every time.

Alright, well if none of the plugs are messed up, would you assume that the airbag is? It was just on another car with no errors

It looks like the yellow clip may have a little tab missing on the steering wheel connector to airbag. Could it be? Could I also use that connector from the old airbag?

If the tab that is missing is either a locking tab or the part that releases the bridge it could be the issue. And the connectors are swappable, but it is hard to do if you don't know how to get it apart or have the pin releasing tools... easy to break.

I'd look at the broken tab and see where it lines up on the other end of the connector. If it is at the terminating bridge maybe you can find an inventive way to prop up the bridge.

Just installed again. I'm holding the connector in hard, still the light is on. Is it possible that if I drive for 10 it'll go off?

Here's a picture. There two little tabs on the yellow connector that stick into the socket. But without them, they're still snug

ok so update, i drove, the light stayed on...

so i decided to go back and put my old steering wheel back on, and the light is now still on. my luck just sucks..

I remember another member going through this a number of years ago. Turns out that some earlier vehicles cannot use later AB's and vice versa. If memory serves, and I'm prepared to be corrected, the early vehicles had "single stage" AB's but later have a "dual stage" AB's.
A search of threads from 3 or 4 years back might reveal the discussion from that time.

Interesting. But would it really not work going from a 2005 to a 2004 vehicle?

The codes would have to be cleared again after swapping back, they do not clear themselves. But as I said, odds are it has something to do with the connector housing and the terminating bridge.

Thanks weasel, I checked all connections, put the new one back on. It's at my Indy, hopefully when he clears the codes they won't come back...

If the codes won't clear y'all should find the terminating bridge on in the airbag end of the connector and bypass it/prop it open yourself with a tiny piece of plastic. I'd hate for one tiny little piece of plastic missing from the connector to stop your upgrade.

weasel, thank you for all the help, you really know this stuff.

anyway, my entire slip ring needed to be replaced, i wonder how that could have broken during my install, i thought i was very careful.

My steering wheel is in and feels great, after much pain and suffering!

Weasel is there anyway please we can have pics to show what you are referring to and if we bypass this terminating bridge does it make disconnecting in the future more dangerous cos it is prone to static electricity, have been searching for a while and cannot find the connector (has a code on the back as below) either on realoem, or the tyco 10/03 = tyco 699471-2 >PBT GF20< BMW 8 379 424