Campaign - Airbag Warning Lamp For OC3 Seat Mat Fault: Overview

SI B65 75 06
Audio, Navigation, Monitors, Alarms, SRS

August 2011
Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B65 75 06 dated April 2009.

[NEW] designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT
Airbag Warning Lamp for OC3 Seat Mat Fault

MODEL
E53 (X5) vehicles produced up to 11/2005
E60, E61 (5 Series) vehicles produced up to 11/2005
E63, E64 (6 Series) vehicles produced up to 11/2005
E65, E66 (7 Series) vehicles produced up to 11/2005
E83 (X3) vehicles produced up to 07/2006
E85 (Z4) vehicles produced up to 11/2005
E90, E91 (3 Series) vehicles produced up to 11/2005

Only vehicles where the OC3 mat has not been replaced with the later version

SITUATION

The customer complains that the Airbag Warning Lamp (AWL) is illuminated, together with the Passenger Airbag Status Lamp (POL). The problem may be intermittent.

Depending on the vehicle concerned, one of the following OC3 seat mat faults is stored in the SRS Control Module/Satellite - 95B8, 71, 93C3, 97E0.

In the interest of customer satisfaction, the warranty coverage of the vehicle for this specific airbag warning lamp issue has been extended to 10 years without mileage limit. The letter in this bulletin is a copy of the letter that has been sent to the owners of all affected vehicles to advise of this change. Eligible vehicles will be shown in the DCS Warranty Vehicle Enquiry (see attachment).

Note that: on E65 and E66 vehicles, the OC3 mat was introduced from 03/2004. Earlier vehicles had an SBE seat occupancy detection system. However, letters were mistakenly sent to owners of all vehicles up to 11/2005. Therefore BMW will honor this extended warranty for seat mat defects on the passenger SBE mat.

CAUSE
Microcracks in the OC3 seat mat.

CORRECTION

^ ]NEW] Follow the ISTA (Integrated Technical Service Application) test plan.

^ [NEW] If no other faults are found, replace the OC3 seat mat.

[NEW] Note that replacement parts for some vehicles are supplied without the cover material (foam pad with integrated OC3 mat). In this case, remove the cover from the faulty seat and reinstall on the replacement part per ISTA Repair Instructions REP 52 13 400.

NOTE:
To avoid the possibility of a preload condition on the assembled part, be sure to follow the repair instructions. The OC3 mat will not enable if there is preload.

[NEW] For E65 and E66 with the SBE mat, refer to ISTA Repair Instructions REP 65 7 598 to replace the SBE seat mat. No programming is required.