Recall - Air Bag Control Module Replacement: Overview
SI B72 05 03Safety Restraint Systems
October 2003
Service Engineering
PERFORM THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS SERVICE INFORMATION ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE CUSTOMER DELIVERY OR THE NEXT TIME THEY ARE IN THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS.
Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, as amended, if there has been a recall campaign, dealers must assure that all new vehicles and new items of replacement equipment are free of safety defects and comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards at the time of delivery to the consumer. This means that dealers may not deliver new motor vehicles or new items of replacement equipment to consumers unless the safety defect or noncompliance has been remedied before delivery.
SUBJECT
Recall Campaign 03V-421: Airbag Control Module
MODEL
E39 ("5 Series)
SITUATION
In isolated cases, when placing the key in the ignition ON position, or when starting the vehicle, the vehicle's airbags, safety belt pretensioners, or the Baffery Safety Terminal (BST) may activate.
Customers have been advised that if they experience this problem, or are in any way concerned with operating the vehicle, then they should contact an Authorized BMW center immediately to have the vehicle brought in for servicing and repair. In this case, the BMW center should get the necessary customer and vehicle information, then call Roadside Assistance on the owner1s behalf to have the vehicle towed.
Cars affected by this recall campaign should be returned to the customer, cleaned inside and out and with a full tank of gas. Reimbursement information for the vehicle fueling costs can be found in the Warranty Information section of this bulletin.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
This recall involves E39 vehicles which were produced from January 1, 2001 to August 31, 2001.
In order to determine if a specific vehicle is affected by this recall, it will be necessary to utilize the "Service Menu1t of the DCS (Dealer Cornrnunication System). Based on the response of the system, either proceed with the corrective action or take no further action.
The Chassis Number Ranges listed are only for informational purposes and are not to be considered as the only deciding factor.
CORRECTION
Replace and code the airbag control unit
PROCEDURE
Replace the airbag control unit (Refer to repair instruction RA 65 77 519 "Replacing the airbag control unit").
Using DISPlus/GT1:
^ Select Coding/Programming / ZCSIFA Coding / E39 Series / Recoding / Airbag / Recode control unit.
^ Answer "No" to the question "Is the original airbag control unit still fitted".
^ Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the coding process.
PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number Description Quantity
65 77 6 919 789 Airbag control unit 1
LABEL INSTRUCTIONS
This recall has been assigned code number 377. After the vehicle has been checked, and corrected if necessary, obtain a label (SD 92-215) and:
a. emboss your BMW dealer warranty number in the middle of the label (1);
b. punch out code number 377 printed on the label (2) and,
c. affix the label to the B pillar as shown.
If the vehicle already has a label from a previous Service Action/Recall Campaign, affix the new label next to the old one. Do not affix one label on top of another one because a number from an underlying label could appear in the punched-out hole of the new label.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Reimbursement for this recall will be via Campaign Entry.
REFUELING COST
BMW of North America, LLC, will provide reimbursement to have the gas tank topped off once as required, for each vehicle affected by this recall campaign. Attach the appropriate receipt to the work order.
ATTACHMENTS
view PDF attachment B720503Letter.
view PDF attachment B720503TREAD.
view PDF attachment B720503Q&A.