Airbag light and B800 E10 code

[Bill S]

I'm in the USA. I have a 2000 Z3 2.5l. I recently removed the passenger seat to replace the worn bushings on the threadscrews and to replace the broken seat belt guide. I was unaware that it was important to disconnect the battery - my mistake. The ignition was turned on after the seat was disconnected thereby causing the airbag dash light to illuminate. I bought a B800 to diagnose and reset the light, but I am only getting an E10 code. I've tried every trick recommended in the lousy manual to get the B800 to communicate using both diagnostic connectors, but it just won't communicate. I have checked the fuses, disconnected the battery while the emergency light switch was depressed, checked for pin 19 (it seems to be in place) and still the E10 code persists.

I'm wondering if another diagnostic tool would reset it. Since I know how the problem was created, I think it is a simple matter of reset and not a more extensive issue. I do not think it is a faulty airbag module. I replaced the seat and the connections are all okay.

I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

 

[colb]

I had the same issue on my 2.5 Z4 when I switched on ignition with the seat out of the car. I tried BMW INPA and BMW Scanner 1.4 to clear the code and dash warning light neither of these laptop systems would clear the code. Invested in a CREATOR 310+ CODE Reader which found a code for the left satellite module, cleared the code with the Creator and that put the dash airbag light off.

 

[Bill S]

Hello colb:

Thanks for your input. That is very helpful. Here in the US, the larger auto parts stores loan out tools and equipment, so I am going to try that route first. It is an Innova 5610. I will try it and let you know the outcome. Thanks again for your help. Now, I'll find out if the car has a fault or the B800 just didn't recognize the OBDII port.

 

[colb]

On the Z3 the OBD port under the steering wheel will only read the engine module. To read the airbag module you have to use the round 20pin diagnostic socket in the engine bay. The B800 will need a 16pin obd2 to 20pin BMW cable changer to enable it to use the engine bay socket. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363607691006?hash=item54a8b50efe:g:uuMAAOSwqttfh60x
As you have a B800 reader if you only need the cable you can buy them on their own

BMW 20 PIN TO 16 PIN OBDII OBD2 DIAGNOSTIC LEAD CABLE CONVERTER ADAPTOR UK | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for BMW 20 PIN TO 16 PIN OBDII OBD2 DIAGNOSTIC LEAD CABLE CONVERTER ADAPTOR UK at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Posted examples from the UK, loads of sellers usually from China so you should find them on the US ebay site.
I use a Creator 310 code reader which works fine on my Z3 and Z4 available on Amazon and ebay.

 

[Bill S]

Hi Colby:

Thanks for the tip. I didn’t know the cabin OBDII was limited to engine codes. Fortunately, I bought the B800 with the converter as shown in the eBay link. So, I should be all set to try it. I have to wait until Thursday as the unit I want is loaned out until then. Meanwhile, I’m sitting on my lanai enjoying a gin and tonic .

 

[hard top]

I’m sitting on my lanai enjoying a gin and tonic

I had to Google "lanai" as I had no idea what it was ....

 

[Bill S]

I retired in 2013, went sailing for seven years, then settled here in Sarasota Florida. A lanai is a special place.

I have nothing to do now, so I bought this Z3. In my youth, I had a 1957 100-6 Austin Healy. The Z3 is close but nothing beats a Healy for that “special feel”

 

[colb]

Another good Code Reader you could consider is a Creator 310+ to add to your B800, it will connect to all the modules on the car using the 20pin to 16pin cable you had with the B800. Used mine to reset an airbag light on my Z4 when my laptop software diagnostics BMW INPA and BMW Scanner 1.4 couldn't. The CREATOR 310+ is available on Amazon and ebay, paid £50 for mine.
One of our members @t-tony is currently in Florida at his holiday home, not sure where but might be up for a meet to see you and your car and talk Z with you, he is one of our experts on the cars.

 

[Bill S]

Hello Colby:

Now, I have tried the Innova 5610 scanner and still I get no communication. This is a $330 scanner that I borrowed from and auto parts store, and the company says it is compliant with SRS code reading and resetting. I also borrowed a bluetooth scanner

 

[colb]

Would have thought either would be capable of communicating through the 20pin round socket in the engine bay although I have not used either of those. Check the fuse box for the Diagnostic port to make sure its getting power, blown fuse and you will get nothing.
Plug scanner into 20pin using the 20pin to 16pin obd2 cable changer, switch ignition to on so your dash lights are lit up then see if the scanner connects to the car.

 

[Bill S]

I also borrowed a Bluetooth scanner and that is able to communicate at least, but it does not support SRS reset. Out of frustration I took it to the dealer and they reset it in 10 minutes and charged $75. I’m at a loss for why the Innova 5610 scanner and the B800 do not communicate either with the 20-pin or the cabin OBDII connector. I think my model did not support SRS reset by other than BMW dealers. Don’t really understand this.

 

[colb]

Its pre 1998 Z's that are picky with code readers as they use pre OBD2 and require using a laptop with an old serial port connection, usb dosn't work on those. Your year 2000 car should be able to communicate with the airbag module via the 20pin socket using BMW INPA on a Laptop and with scanners that are known to work with BMW's. My 1.9 was built in December 1999 and sold in the UK in March 2000 so not much difference between our cars which leads me to believe code readers should connect ok.

 

[Bill S]

It's a mystery to me that these scanners (5610 and B800) do not communicate with my car but do seem to work with other models. I spent an hour with the Innova tech support person, and he could not figure it out. In the 20-pin connector on my Z3 there are only 9 sockets wired: 1, 2, 7, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. I think BMW just left out some sockets for functions they did not want every Tom, Dick and Harry fooling around with. So this could be it. The 5610 scanner worked with other ECUs and even live data.

 

[Bill S]

Another possible explanation is that the CANbus used in all of these OBDII diagnostic ports block certain ECUs (in their firmware) for every car model. I have a lot of experience with CANbus, and it is common that some ECUs are effectively absent from the network by employing a specific Identifier only known to BMW. Any scanner can only read the more generic Identifiers. It is possible that my model had such a block prohibiting the SRS system to be tampered with by users without the BMW Identifiers or scanners. That is why it only took the BMW dealer 10 minutes to reset my airbag., and that could further explain why certain scanners work and others do not. But, it's still a mystery to me.