2001 Z3 3.0i Service Engine Soon

[RShaw]

I just bought the Z3 a few weeks ago. On the recommendation of somewhere on the forum I purchased a Creator 310+ to find out more about the Airbag light. I will be checking the wires and connectors under the passenger seat as I had the dealer replace the seat bushings.
I also have the Service Engine Soon light on. I thought this was related to oil change and such but when I took the car for the state inspection they wouldn’t even look at it.
So now I need the know why that light is on.
The 310+ shows me these codes below that may be the cause but I am really hoping someone here can confirm and provide advice on what these mean and how to fix them. Regular internet searches oddly don’t help.
1A Seat occupancy recognition 1 (SBE1)
A1 Rotation-rate sensor
81 Positive supply, solenoid valves
B6 Steering angle sensor CAN
Worst case is I get it to a BMW dealer.
Thank you in advance.

 

[colb]

1A Seat occupancy recognition 1 (SBE1)
This refers to the passenger seat occupancy sensor mat in the seat squab, could be loose or dirty connection under the seat.
A1 Rotation-rate sensor
Yaw rate sensor under the centre console at fault, again check for bad connection, you may be able to reset it using the Creator 310+.
81 Positive supply, solenoid valves
This may refer to the Vanos solenoids, check wiring to them for damage.
B6 Steering angle sensor CAN
Creator 310+ should be able to recalibrate this one as long as the wiring is intact and undamaged.

Try clearing the codes then switch off and then restart the car before scanning it again to see what codes return before taking the car apart to investigate.

When the car is serviced you can reset the service indicator using the Creator 310+ in the maintainance section.

 

[RShaw]

1A Seat occupancy recognition 1 (SBE1)
This refers to the passenger seat occupancy sensor mat in the seat squab, could be loose or dirty connection under the seat.
A1 Rotation-rate sensor
Yaw rate sensor under the centre console at fault, again check for bad connection, you may be able to reset it using the Creator 310+.
81 Positive supply, solenoid valves
This may refer to the Vanos solenoids, check wiring to them for damage.
B6 Steering angle sensor CAN
Creator 310+ should be able to recalibrate this one as long as the wiring is intact and undamaged.

Try clearing the codes then switch off and then restart the car before scanning it again to see what codes return before taking the car apart to investigate.

When the car is serviced you can reset the service indicator using the Creator 310+ in the maintainance section.

Thank you colb. Looks like I have an adventure in front of me.

 

[bombur]

a nice adventure

 

[RShaw]

1A Seat occupancy recognition 1 (SBE1)
This refers to the passenger seat occupancy sensor mat in the seat squab, could be loose or dirty connection under the seat.
A1 Rotation-rate sensor
Yaw rate sensor under the centre console at fault, again check for bad connection, you may be able to reset it using the Creator 310+.
81 Positive supply, solenoid valves
This may refer to the Vanos solenoids, check wiring to them for damage.
B6 Steering angle sensor CAN
Creator 310+ should be able to recalibrate this one as long as the wiring is intact and undamaged.

Try clearing the codes then switch off and then restart the car before scanning it again to see what codes return before taking the car apart to investigate.

When the car is serviced you can reset the service indicator using the Creator 310+ in the maintainance section.

Is there anywhere to convert these 310+ codes to the BMW P-codes?
Would that make this any easier? Don’t get me wrong, I love a good puzzle but the clock is ticking on the inspection.

 

[colb]

Not sure you will find anything capable of doing that conversion, if you used BMW INPA you will probably get the same codes you already have in that format.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Arh, code conversions.

BMW uses code numbers in too forms depending on the age of the car and the module. They either use Decimal (base 10) or Hexadecimal (base 16) code numbers

PXXXX code numbers are required under OBD2 requirements.

Many BMW code numbers do not have PXXXX equivalents. So, your OBD2 scanner either makes up a P code that could be relevant or simply does not show you that there is a trouble code.

Now, back to your codes. They are in Hexadecimal.

• 1A (hex) = 26 (dec), Seat occupancy recognition 1 (SBE1), [SRS]
• A1 (hex) = 161 (dec), Rotation-rate sensor, [ABS]
• 81 (hex) = 129 (dec), Positive supply, solenoid valves, [???]
• B6 (hex) = 182 (dec), Steering angle sensor CAN , [ABS]

It help to know which module the code has come out of, so you look up the code in the correct reference. I've put my guess in [ ] above.

Fixing your codes:

• Seat occupancy:
  • Damaged/unplugged wires under the passengers seat. Find and repair.
  • Damaged occupancy sensor in the seat base. Buy E-Bay bypass plug and fit.
• Rotation-rate sensor:
  • Sensor has died of old age (rare)
  • Sensor is sitting in a pool of water or covered by water soaked foam under the carpet. Water has corroded the sensor and connections. Very common. Fix the water leak. Remove and dry the carpet. Purchase a secondhand sensor (new are eye wateringly expensive) and fit it. Set-up INPA on a windows computer and calibrate the sensor to the car. INPA and calibration instructions can be found in the first post here: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/...tions-Experiences-Discussions-Experimentation
• Positive supply, solenoid valves. No idea, don't know what module this code is from.
• Steering angle sensor CAN.
  • Check Sensor operation and calibration with INPA. Re-calibrate if needed. Instructions are in the first post of the INPA link above.
  • Sensor is dead and needs to be replaced. Enjoy taking out the steering column to get to the well hidden sensor. Might as well change the steering coupler while it is all out of the car.

 

[colb]

81 (hex) = 129 (dec), Positive supply, solenoid valves
Maybe related to Vanos solenoids in the DME module is my guess.
Good explanation on the codes by @NZ00Z3 above.

 

[RShaw]

81 (hex) = 129 (dec), Positive supply, solenoid valves
Maybe related to Vanos solenoids in the DME module is my guess.
Good explanation on the codes by @NZ00Z3 above.

OK, wow. I have ordered a USB cable to use with the now downloaded INPS software. I already have the 20 pin adaptor.
looking forward to figuring all of this out. So grateful for everyone on the forum supplying help. Truly a global effort.
I wish I had this 50 years ago when I had my Spitfire