SRS - Warning Lamp ON For 2 Minutes After Startup

Group 72
Heating and
Air Conditioning

Bulletin Number
72 04 96

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
April 1996
Product Engineering

SUBJECT:
Broken Printed Circuit Board in front safety belt buckles

MODELS:
3 Series (E36), 5 Series (E34), 7 Series (E38), 8 Series (E31)

Complaint:

The SRS airbag light comes "ON" and stays illuminated for up to two minutes after starting the vehicle. This may happen either with every start or sporadically. This SI does not refer to complaints of permanent illumination of the SRS airbag light.

Cause:

The printed circuit board in the front safety belt buckle may be broken. This causes the monitored resistance values to drift under mechanical load. The ZAE airbag control module fault memory readout will display either "Fault Code 24" (driver seat) or "Fault Code 25" (passenger seat). The fault can be present or not present at the time the technician attempts to diagnose the fault.

Important:
These faults have no effect on the airbag deployment function. When this fault occurs, the system will default to the deployment of both airbags (driver and passenger) regardless of whether a passenger is seated in the front seat or not.

Vehicles affected:

All models with ZAE Airbag System (E36, E34, E38, E31) are affected as of production date 3/94.

Correction:

Check the ZAE airbag control module fault memory. If "Fault Code 24" and/or "Fault Code 25" are displayed, replace the corresponding safety belt buckle/safety belt tensioner unit. Clear the fault memory of the ZAE airbag control module.

Note:
In case of fault code 24 and/or 25, replace the corresponding parts, even if the fault is not currently present during the time of testing.

For details on replacing the front left or right safety belt unit, refer to the appropriate repair manual, section 72/11.

Observe all relevant safety information when performing repairs to the Airbag system. Refer to SI 72 01 95.

Any replaced safety belt tensioner has to be disarmed before disposal or shipment. Refer to SI 72 03 91 and the appropriate repair manual, section
72/12.

Warranty Information:

Parts and Labor are reimbursable under the terms of the BMW new car limited warranty of 4 years /50,000 miles.

Defect Code: 72 11 07 14 00
Replacing one Replacing both
seatbelt tensioner seatbelt tensioner

Labor Operation: 72 11 041 72 11 043
Labor Allowance: E31 8 FRU E31 14 FRU
E34 9 FRU E34 15 FRU
E36 5 FRU E36 2-door 7 FRU
E36 4-door 9 FRU
E 38 8 FRU E38 13 FRU