dash light
- Thread starter bodgerlot
- Start date
Very common light, most likely a seat belt tensioner. Do you have access to a code reader they only cost around £30 if you dont. That will at least tell you what the light means.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Points
- 178
- Location
- Newport, South Wales,UK
- Model of Z
- Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Agree, code reader on it to see what code has been set to trigger the light, anything else is guesswork until you know the code to point you in the right direction. I have all sorts of laptop diagnostics but also a Creator 310+ which sorted an airbag light I had that the laptop software couldn't clear. Creator available on Amazon and ebay circa £50.
Just be aware that if your build date is pre-March 1998 the Creator 310+ won’t read it. On these cars it only reads the engine module.
Reading the codes aside, it could just be a dirty connector, I've had it a couple of times, once was the seatbelt pre tensioner and the other was the connectors just needed a clean. Sprayed in electrical connector fluid, allowed to evaporate, reconnected, reset and light extinguished.
Did you turn the ignition on while the sat was out? That always throws a code and is easily fixed by just clearing the codes once the seat has been put back in.
Hi ignition on when soft top was put down to remove seat. I have a bmw v 2.o diagnostic tool but unable to find were you plug it in, not good with this type of technology as I,m past it at 76 but onwards and upwards as they say, if you could advise that would be great
I don't recongise the name of your scanner. Do not know if it has full BMW capability. Most generic OBD2 scanners will only read the engine computer (DME) and not others like the airbag module. To read all modules in the car, you need a scanner with BMW software.
To talk to the airbag module, you have to use the 20 pin plug under the bonnet/hood. Most times, this requires an adapter lead to turn the 20 pin plug into a 16 pin OBD2 connector. Cheap on E-Bay.
What the 20 pin connector looks like.
The adapter
Maybe reach out to one of the "Zed Sheds" on this forum. If one is near you, the guys will know how to reset the airbag light and have the right scanners.
To talk to the airbag module, you have to use the 20 pin plug under the bonnet/hood. Most times, this requires an adapter lead to turn the 20 pin plug into a 16 pin OBD2 connector. Cheap on E-Bay.
What the 20 pin connector looks like.
The adapter
Maybe reach out to one of the "Zed Sheds" on this forum. If one is near you, the guys will know how to reset the airbag light and have the right scanners.
If you do suceed and get a fault code and it is indeed the seat belt tensioner then please look at this article at Pelican parts because it is a useful guide.
I also bougt a scanner from Amazon and a dongle from ebay - and if it helps I have attached the link to the seller of the one I bought. I have a 1999Z3 1.9l and it reads the fault codes as well as an option to erase.
I would also like to say that if it had not been to the help and advice from Colb above I would still be struggling
I hope this is of help
Kind REgards
Brian
BMW Z3 Front Seat Removing and Buckle Replacement | 1996-2002 | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article
Airbag light on for a seat belt buckle fault? This tech article shows you how to replace the seat belt buckle with easy to follow steps.
www.pelicanparts.com
I also bougt a scanner from Amazon and a dongle from ebay - and if it helps I have attached the link to the seller of the one I bought. I have a 1999Z3 1.9l and it reads the fault codes as well as an option to erase.
20 Pin to 16 pin OBD2 Diagnostic Connector Adapter Cable For BMW 20pin -16pin | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 20 Pin to 16 pin OBD2 Diagnostic Connector Adapter Cable For BMW 20pin -16pin at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.
www.ebay.co.uk
I would also like to say that if it had not been to the help and advice from Colb above I would still be struggling
I hope this is of help
Kind REgards
Brian
What year is the Z3? It matters when it comes to scanning Z3's.
Read this thread. https://zroadster.org/threads/how-to-scan-early-model-z3s-pre-build-date-03-98.39937/
Read this thread. https://zroadster.org/threads/how-to-scan-early-model-z3s-pre-build-date-03-98.39937/
@bodgerlot Where are you based? If you are close by Sheffield, I have laptop that we can plug in and read / clear codes.
Hi
Just a word of caution in that disconnect the battery and remove the ignition key when working on electrical connectors that could be related to the car's safety system otherwise the air bag could be inadvertedly set off
I hope you get sorted soon
Kind Regards
Brian
Just a word of caution in that disconnect the battery and remove the ignition key when working on electrical connectors that could be related to the car's safety system otherwise the air bag could be inadvertedly set off
I hope you get sorted soon
Kind Regards
Brian
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Hi I'm living near Portsmouth 250 miles approx. thanks anyway