passenger airbag light acting strange

djacinto · 03-10-2023, 11:26 AM

Hey yall,

My girlfriend just noticed this the other day,

The light for the "passenger air bag off" was illuminated while she was sitting in the seat, and when she got out, seemed to go off as well. Some times it acts like normal, where when she's sitting in it, the light is off, and when she's not the light is on, but the light seems sporadic.

I checked codes with bimmerlink, which has the ability to read airbag faults, but I am unsure if it can check sensors, did not report anything regarding air bag issues. Has anyone had a similar issue?

jdt10768 · 03-10-2023, 03:31 PM

How old is your battery? Strange things start happening when battery gets old/low
Does your car have the rare "ejector seat" functionality ?

djacinto · 03-13-2023, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdt10768

How old is your battery? Strange things start happening when battery gets old/low
Does your car have the rare "ejector seat" functionality ?

Hopefully not! XD

Battery is fairly new, under a year old. I’ve been curious if it’s the IBS though, as it seems it’s such a common issue.

PRTSB1M · 03-15-2023, 10:27 PM

If your girlfriend doesn't weigh very much, it is working correctly. There is a sensor in the seat that is activated by weight. If you buckle the seatbelt with not enough weight in the seat, it assumes there is a small human (child) in the seat that is more likely to get injured by the airbag than saved.

djacinto · 03-15-2023, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRTSB1M

If your girlfriend doesn't weigh very much, it is working correctly. There is a sensor in the seat that is activated by weight. If you buckle the seatbelt with not enough weight in the seat, it assumes there is a small human (child) in the seat that is more likely to get injured by the airbag than saved.

So continuing with my issue then, intermittently, when she’s sitting there, the light remains on. I’ll have to watch closer on the context around the issue to see if there’s any way to replicate it

PRTSB1M · 03-16-2023, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djacinto

So continuing with my issue then, intermittently, when she’s sitting there, the light remains on. I’ll have to watch closer on the context around the issue to see if there’s any way to replicate it

If anything, I would think that the occupancy sensor in the seat is failing or damaged.

MAMSport · 03-17-2023, 02:39 PM

I've had this situation as well. It eventually was diagnosed as a software issue by BMW. I decided not to pursue this as the flash might have affected my engine tune (according to BMW), so I passed. I seldom have a passenger anyway, and I believe that I can shut the car down and restart it to get rid of the passenger airbag light.

Lester · 03-17-2023, 03:39 PM

Does she use a seat cushion? Normal seating position for an adult shouldn't make the light come on.

Does the problem happen with anybody else? Try taking a beer drinking buddy out for a ride, and see if it works ok for him!

djacinto · 03-17-2023, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lester

Does she use a seat cushion? Normal seating position for an adult shouldn't make the light come on.

Does the problem happen with anybody else? Try taking a beer drinking buddy out for a ride, and see if it works ok for him!

No cushions. I can try someone else this weekend

MAMSport · 03-21-2023, 08:01 PM

I wonder if the passenger is sitting toward the front of the bottom cushion instead of up against the backrest?

03-10-2023, 11:26 AM	#1
djacinto Captain 373 Rep 898 Posts Drives: F32 428i Xdrive Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Texas iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 BMW 428i xdrive [0.00] 2013 128i [0.00]	passenger airbag light acting strange Hey yall, My girlfriend just noticed this the other day, The light for the "passenger air bag off" was illuminated while she was sitting in the seat, and when she got out, seemed to go off as well. Some times it acts like normal, where when she's sitting in it, the light is off, and when she's not the light is on, but the light seems sporadic. I checked codes with bimmerlink, which has the ability to read airbag faults, but I am unsure if it can check sensors, did not report anything regarding air bag issues. Has anyone had a similar issue? __________________ -2014 F32 428i Xdrive "Bella" Follow the build! -2013 E82 128i "Austin" Follow the build EuroFever
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03-10-2023, 03:31 PM	#2
jdt10768 Lieutenant 329 Rep 529 Posts Drives: 2013 128i MSport 6MT Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Columbia, SC iTrader: (0)	How old is your battery? Strange things start happening when battery gets old/low Does your car have the rare "ejector seat" functionality ?
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03-15-2023, 10:27 PM	#4
PRTSB1M Lieutenant 294 Rep 425 Posts Drives: AW3 1M Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Thunderdome iTrader: (0)	If your girlfriend doesn't weigh very much, it is working correctly. There is a sensor in the seat that is activated by weight. If you buckle the seatbelt with not enough weight in the seat, it assumes there is a small human (child) in the seat that is more likely to get injured by the airbag than saved.
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03-17-2023, 02:39 PM	#7
MAMSport Second Lieutenant 87 Rep 263 Posts Drives: '13 128i M-Sport coupe Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: North Shore of MA iTrader: (1)	I've had this situation as well. It eventually was diagnosed as a software issue by BMW. I decided not to pursue this as the flash might have affected my engine tune (according to BMW), so I passed. I seldom have a passenger anyway, and I believe that I can shut the car down and restart it to get rid of the passenger airbag light. __________________ E9x M3 front & rear suspension arms; BMW Performance brakes upgraded to drilled rotors in rear; BMW performance shifter; BMW Performance Exhaust; Wave Trac LSD with modified 'nannies'; BMW Euro Intake box; BMW Aluminum Strut Tower bar; ECS front and rear sway bars; 3 stage intake with BPC software; BMW style 78, 17 x 8" wheels with Bridgestone RE 980AS 225/45-17 tires; Koni Special Active struts/shocks, E9x M3 RTABs.
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03-17-2023, 03:39 PM	#8
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Does she use a seat cushion? Normal seating position for an adult shouldn't make the light come on. Does the problem happen with anybody else? Try taking a beer drinking buddy out for a ride, and see if it works ok for him!
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03-21-2023, 08:01 PM	#10
MAMSport Second Lieutenant 87 Rep 263 Posts Drives: '13 128i M-Sport coupe Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: North Shore of MA iTrader: (1)	I wonder if the passenger is sitting toward the front of the bottom cushion instead of up against the backrest? __________________ E9x M3 front & rear suspension arms; BMW Performance brakes upgraded to drilled rotors in rear; BMW performance shifter; BMW Performance Exhaust; Wave Trac LSD with modified 'nannies'; BMW Euro Intake box; BMW Aluminum Strut Tower bar; ECS front and rear sway bars; 3 stage intake with BPC software; BMW style 78, 17 x 8" wheels with Bridgestone RE 980AS 225/45-17 tires; Koni Special Active struts/shocks, E9x M3 RTABs.
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