Airbag light on E36

[sniff petrol]

My airbag light's come on after I hoovered out my E36 this morning. I've had a very good look around under the seat and don't think I've knocked anything as it all looks fine. Now I'm just thinking of extinguishing the light as on a 10 year the airbag probably wants replacing anyway I don't want to bother with that. How can I just take bulb out or is there an easier way?

[Gad-Westy]

sniff petrol said:

My airbag light's come on after I hoovered out my E36 this morning. I've had a very good look around under the seat and don't think I've knocked anything as it all looks fine. Now I'm just thinking of extinguishing the light as on a 10 year the airbag probably wants replacing anyway I don't want to bother with that. How can I just take bulb out or is there an easier way?

The right thing to do is take it to a dealer to have it reset but if you're happy that your airbag might not work, taking the bulb out is very simple.

Remember which light it is before embarking on removing the instruments. There are two screws on the upper side of the glass panel. Undo these and slide the cluster out towards you. You should see all the bulbs on the back and (this bit is awkward) using a flatbladed screwdriver undo the one you want to remove. Then put it all back together.

[Mroad]

A ten year old airbag won't need replacing, there's not a use by date on them!
You have probably knocked the seat belt pre-tensioner connection making the air-bag light come on, a common problem with BMW's. You need to make sure the pre-tensioner connection is secure (cable coming from base of the seat belt stalk) and then get the light reset by a dealer or specialist.
Shame you are not local as I could do it for your for nothing.

Removing the bulb and forgeting about it is a drastic measure to take for a system that could potentially save yours or your passengers lives.

[sniff petrol]

Well I've had another look and there definately isn't any loose wire, I will try and get it reset next time I'm near a dealer. Thanks for your advice.

[Mroad]

The wire may not look loose, the same thing happened on my Z3M, it didn't look loose but a quick fiddle (took a couple of goes) and a reset and it was OK. Obviously it was an intermittent contact, it only needs to lose the connection briefly (knocked or pulled when the seat is adjusted) and the airbag light will come on and stay on.

[Dunk76]

Common thing when hoovering an E36 - I managed it twice in two years in mine.

Most indies will only charge a tenner to reset the SRS computer (it lives under the rear bench)

[sniff petrol]

Many thanks to Pistonheader "Shropshire Mike" who reset this for me yesterday evening with a minumum of fuss.

Cheers Mike!

[Shropshiremike]

sniff petrol said:

Many thanks to Pistonheader "Shropshire Mike" who reset this for me yesterday evening with a minumum of fuss.

Cheers Mike!

Glad it sorted it. I take it that it's stayed off? Sometimes the pre-tensioner loom gets damaged but it's not expensive/hard to replace

[Talkwrench]

Mroad said:

A ten year old airbag won't need replacing, there's not a use by date on them!

Interestingly, they have a specific lifespan and replacement is recommended after a certain time.
BMW recommend 10 years and no longer than 15 years, if I remember correctly.
Land Rover say 10 years and actually include it as an item in their service guide.
Certain car manufacturers actually say 5 years! Can you imagine replacing 12 airbags at 5 years!? It would cost more than the car is worth! I wonder what the insurance take is on that in the event of an accident......