Airbag Light On
 

I have a 2005 X5 3.0 and my airbag light has come one and will not turn off.

How can I know if it is an passenger occupancy sensor, or if it just needs to be reset?

Thanks

Either buy a reset tool or the right software or bring it in to a Mechanic that can reset the SRS. FYI unplugging the battery will not reset the SRS light. Unless you were working on something in the car and unplugged a connector associated with the SRS there is a fault code that must be repaired or else it will always pop up the SRS light no matter how many time you reset it.

FYI....Mine would not reset. It turned out to be high resistance in the wire, I have the plug end replaced. Driver door.

Where did you find that part? My husband had to replace door handle mechanism. He removed door panel, fixed and plugged airbag back. Every since the airbag light has come on. An Indy tried to clear it, but it would not go off. Need a fix. Thanks!

^Perhaps something messed up when he removed the plug, its very easy to break that plug connection.

Can I just get a new plug end or something? The indy told me that I would probably have to replace the entire piece that goes all the way through the door. Is there an easier fix to this?

If you unplug the airbag while the battery is connected, or plug the battery back while the airbag is disconnected, it will set a code and the light. A normal generic scan tool will not reset it. You need a BMW specific tool. Shops that work on BMW will have. Dealers, too. The electrical plugs are available from the dealer, but I would ask if your shop has a BMW capable reset tool (not generic) before worrying about more parts.

P.s. It's very dangerous to handle the airbag without disconnecting the battery and letting the system discharge for a while.

The software Carsoft 6.5 can reset the SRS light. I used that for my E34 and several other people BMW. I think BMW Scanner 1.4 also have that capability to reset the SRS light. Haven't tried it since I never had a SRS light on for the X5.

I mostly use AutoEnginuity's package and it will read and clear the airbag system light if you buy the BMW specific upgrade.

Just a hunch, but from the OP description, I got the feeling there might not be a defect, just a problem getting it reset ...

My cousin works at Snap-on and he has a Verus Pro. Borrow it to find out why the airbag light was on for my G35. Pointed me to a high resistance in the passenger seat airbag. I removed the seat and used electrical contact cleaner to clean all the contacts associated with the seat. reinstalled the seat and reset the error code and the error code never came back.