Hi all. 

I have a 2013 3 series 220, 16,000 miles and the passenger restraint system warning light has come on. It's 7 weeks out of warranty. It's been suggested that it may be the occupancy pad in the seat which may be faulty. Would this the case or does anyone have any other ideas?, and any idea of replacement cost. It's got leather seats if that makes a difference.

cheers. Bud.

 

Hi Steve...welcome to the Forum

If it is the occupancy pad sensor then this is an easy and cheap mod to sort.

The downside is that the seat will constantly show that there is a passenger sat there, meaning it could deploy the Passenger Airbag in the event of an accident, even though no-one is there...(extra cost for repairs).

The mod is to fit a resistor in the sensor plug (you can buy off eBay or make your own £0.27 cost) therefore by-passing the sensor mat which tears over time and ends up breaking the circuit.

Here are some eBay links to ones you can buy and just plug in  http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2060353.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.Xbmw+seat+occupancy+sensor.TRS0&_nkw=bmw+seat+occupancy+sensor&_sacat=0

Worth bearing in mind that if you have a child seat in the front seat (which is not advisable anyway) then the airbag won't be switched off.

Here is another link with more info on the seat occupancy sensor  http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/seat-occupancy-sensor-removal-software/

Let us know how you get on with it.

Cheers  Trevor

Hi Trevor, thanks for the prompt reply. The second link suggests that using a bypass may cause non of the airbags to deploy and they use software instead. Any ideas wether these bypass units are effective or would the software option be better. 

Cheers. Bud

I wouldn't necessarily go by what they are saying as it would only affect the passenger seat and once you bypass that sensor the SRS should work normally (SRS warning lamp going out...which means it has read all the resistances in the SRS circuit and everything is now fine)...the link was only meant to provide you with some info about the seat mat sensor itself.

I would recommend the £8 bypass unit on eBay (although I built one a total of 27 pence) which will work fine.

Cheers, this is the way I'll go then, Again thanks for your help. It was suggested I contact Bmw as the vehicle is only just out of warranty and see if they'll help as a good will gesture. Do you have any experience or advice on this?.

You could give it a try but the problem has existed with BMW for many years...poor design with the seat sensor

Hi Trevor, I've just checked through the available bypass units and it appears non are suitable for my car.? Why. It's a 320 xdrive msport.

I would have thought it would work on the same principle though