Passenger seat out

[Brian4]

I have taken the passenger seat out as I am trying to find the sensors for the DSC which are under the carpet. I have a fault with the DSC light which comes on and an independent local to me is going to investigate the fault and I thought to save time I would remove the seat and lift the carpet so my question is can I drive the car with the seat out or will it throw up an airbag fault, The seats are the heated sports seats.

Whilst I had the carpets up the is some damp under the rear section of the carpet and one side of the front section and the foam is quite wet so I am drying that out but the sensors themselves look dry. I think the water got in before we had the car as I have not seen any leaks since we've had it.

Brian

 

[Ferdinand]

Hi Brian4,

The minute you put the ignition or start the engine, the SRS Airbag system will "throw" a fault code. x_x - something is missing. I've read somewhere you can buy "dummies" that will make the car think the seat is still in - but :-?? I don't know how it works though


You mention that the DSC light comes on.... when does it do it - and under what circumstances :-l Are you parked, waiting by traffic light, driving, turning, is it dry / in the rain... the more you tell us - the more we can all help!

 

[Brian4]

It varies. Ist time it happened been driving for about 1 hour and felt like the front left brake abs operated and immediately the traction control light came on. After I got home and parked up for 20 mins the light had gone off and car went through self test but came on after about 15 mins driving again felt like the abs had operated.

It's been going on like this for about 2 weeks now, but don't use it everyday.

I have been to an indy who has looked at the codes with a bmw reader and the wheel sensors are ok and thinks it could be the lateral acceleration sensor. I have also checked the resistance of the wheel sensor and they are all the same about 1000 ohms.

I answer to my 1st question looks as if I will have to place the seat back in and connect it before moving the car.

Thanks for the quick reply and welcome to .org

Brian

 

[Ferdinand]

Maybe check / clean the ABS sensors - (the "mechanical" part of the)

Brian4 - you used to be bluezed on .net didn't you? - I'm new here - but been on .net since 2008 (-| ... no just kidding - will still be using both I think...

 

[Brian4]

I've had the rear sensors out and cleaned, not dirty. I couldn't get the front ones out but proved they worked with a test meter so that was when I found a local indy/enthusiast who had a look with his BMW diagnostic and reccons it is the under carpet sensors.

Yes I was bluezed for a short while. I registered as Brian4 dec 2011 but never got a confirmation so set another email up and registered under bluezed and then Richard found my original from December and enabled that so I can use it.
Long boring story but both forums are good. Made a few friends on here and have been out to a couple of events and they are a very friendly crowd..

Just got to get the car sorted for the Silverstone Classic + it's annoying me.

Thanks for your help.

Brian

 

[Ferdinand]

~x( This morning the DSC, EML and ABS light lit up - stopped the engine - and they went out.... been like that many times - never been able to find out what is causing it.... :-?

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Hi Brian

Afraid I'm of no help with this one, I would have thought if you just put the passenger seat in loosely and connected it, it would be fine for a short run to the indy. At least then he would not have to waste a lot of time if, as you suspect, the fault lies with the electronis under the passenger seat.

Let us know how you get on with the indy, I hope he is able to sort the problem for you, or point you in the right direction.

Hope we'll see you and Sheila at Kimbolton.


Mike

 

[g8jka]

It is fairly easy to remove the seatbelt pretensioner from the seat with just one bolt. You can remove this from the seat and just leave it in the footwell connected to the wires that way it will think the seat is still in place and you should have no problems.

 

[Brian4]

Whilst waiting for the helpful man with the code reader I decided to try and find the sensors which according to the schematics I found are under the drivers seat, but after taking out the drivers seat I found nothing and then realised they are all written in american so found the sensors under the passenger seat. In the process found the carpets wet and the foam backing soaking but nothing around the sensors but will wait and see.

Started to trace the leak and I think I've found it with, Sheila's help, the inner membrane of the passenger door was not glued down so the rain/washing car water ran between the glass and seal and found it's way past the membrane and into the car. There was quite a drip when I sprayed the hose on the window. So dried out and stuck down with silicone.

The offending sensors I hope

Looking sorry for himself

The missing sealant on the door

Hope for a few more sunny days to dry out and then might get back together and some more sunny days

Brian