Retrofit Passenger Front Airbag

[Scooblitz]

I am becoming more conscious of taking passengers in my car without having an airbag to protect them. It's strange to think what is now standard in all cars is something that had to be specified back in 1997.

I have seen airbags for sale that I assume would slot in and perhaps with the correct SRS top panel, the cable could even be there to plug it in and go but i am not sure it will be that simple.

The internet is not awash with info on this, even on e36 forums too. Has anyone done this or have an idea of what would be involved if at all possible?

Thanks

Scooblitz

 

[Ianmc]

Think you would likely need a new dash. Feels like a big job with all the sensors etc.

 

[NZ00Z3]

The wiring may be there. Fitting the airbag is not a big task as long as you have the dash with the pop up flap for the airbag to come out.

The tricky part is telling the airbag module that there is now an airbag on the passengers side. Plus, you may have to install an occupancy sensor on the passengers seat. Likely NCSExpert is the software tool required to do the coding. Haven't done it so don't really know for sure.

Have seen many threads over the years where people (usually in the USA) want to code out a faulty airbag or seat occupancy sensor. Have never seen anyone willing to tell them how to do it, likely something about personal liability. So, you're in uncharted waters with coding the airbag module.

 

[jonco]

I am becoming more conscious of taking passengers in my car without having an airbag to protect them. It's strange to think what is now standard in all cars is something that had to be specified back in 1997.......

Have had similar thoughts and did look into fitting one but as you say little info out there.
I think the wiring is there - there is a cable and connector under seat for what I believe is occupancy and belt pretensioner is wired. I thought I had identified connector behind the glovebox but too much guesswork was involved so I gave up.
Perhaps one of our resident breakers have photos of wiring?

 

[Scooblitz]

The wiring may be there. Fitting the airbag is not a big task as long as you have the dash with the pop up flap for the airbag to come out.

The tricky part is telling the airbag module that there is now an airbag on the passengers side. Plus, you may have to install an occupancy sensor on the passengers seat. Likely NCSExpert is the software tool required to do the coding. Haven't done it so don't really know for sure.

Have seen many threads over the years where people (usually in the USA) want to code out a faulty airbag or seat occupancy sensor. Have never seen anyone willing to tell them how to do it, likely something about personal liability. So, you're in uncharted waters with coding the airbag module.

What you think about swapping the ecu out for a car with dual airbags? The ecu, I would guess might be coded to the job and would be expecting an airbag to be there. If the wiring is ready to go as factory, it's the best way i can think of without actually needing to go as far as code the current ecu.

Is the SRS dashboard different where the non-passenger airbag dash doesn't have the pop panel and would also need a dash swap?

 

[NZ00Z3]

This is uncharted waters.

Usually, all modules need to be coded to the car to work. The air bag module being separate/independent to other modules may allow an airbag module from a car with passengers airbag to work straight out of the box. Don't really know for sure?

You may have to code the Car's VIN number to the module as a minimum to get it to work. Don't really know for sure?

You can't code the new airbag module in the usual way. The Car's built spec is stored into 2 different modules. When coding a new module, you read the build spec from the module where it is stored, then write just the airbag part to the new airbag module. If you code the car in the usual way, you will change it to one without the passengers airbag, as that is what the build spec knows about.

Is the SRS dashboard different where the non-passenger airbag dash doesn't have the pop panel and would also need a dash swap?

Sorry, this phrase has me laughing, the "non- passenger" has a steering wheel airbag. The "non-passenger" is the driver.

A quick look at RealOEM.com shows that the dash for a Z3 without the passengers airbag is a different part number. If you do not have a dash with the passenger airbag pop up flap, then yes you need to change the dash. Removing the dash is not particularly difficult. The procedure is in the Bentley manual. Take lots of photos and label all connectors you unplug as you go. You'll find one or two extra connectors when you put it all back together. If you have labeled them all as you went, then you don't have to worry about the extras.

 

[Scooblitz]

Sorry, this phrase has me laughing, the "non- passenger" has a steering wheel airbag. The "non-passenger" is the driver.

It didn't sound right when i read it back.

Had a look at Realoem also before posting. There seems to be pop out panels listed with and without airbag. However, the diagram that lists "without airbag" still has the SRS type panel. Guess i'll just need to find a double-black extended leather dash with pop panel.

Going try and find a local bmw independent and see what they have to say.