Air bag light

[M32DR]

Dealer says the dash light may be due to either seat belt latch gone bad or the occupancy sensor mat in seat. Does a '99 E36 M3 even have a sensor mat? We're talking approx $500 vs $2000 here!!!

[mcoupemindy]

Dealer says the dash light may be due to either seat belt latch gone bad or the occupancy sensor mat in seat. Does a '99 E36 M3 even have a sensor mat? We're talking approx $500 vs $2000 here!!!

Yes, they do have seat sensor mats.

To avoid the cost and overcome the airbag light always coming on, you could build a resistor pack to always keep the passenger airbag on.

[lmishler]

Check and reseat all of your connections to the seat first. Then reset the light and see if it comes back. I had the same problem on my '99 M3 and that fixed it. It never came during the three years I owned it. If you need to go the sensor mat route, I have seen write ups on how to do it yourself. It looked tedious but doable. Fortunately I did not have to go that route.

Good luck

[Dirichlet]

Mine will come on when I have a passenger in the car. When they get out I just punch the seat (with the car running) until it goes out - usually work pretty quickly

[Reach]

I believe there was a MAJOR recall just a few years ago on the seat occapancy sensors for just this reason. Its worth a call in to the dealer to find out if you'll be covered.

[M32DR]

Thanks guys. Checked NHTSA.gov recall (#RQ99018) for '99 M3 and called BMW..no applicabiltiy there
On my own. Need a R5/SRS tool.

[M32DR]

Got the advice and tools I need - thanks to this forum its good members.

[1996 328ti]

I believe one of the problems with the passenger mat was that the wire was too short.

[Green Machine]

Any word on what the solution is? I have the same problem in my 99 coupe and would sure like hear that it was an easy solution...

[M32DR]

I was able to abolish the light with the Peake reset tool. And it stayed off for an extended time. So I didn't worry about it. If you would like to borrow the tool, contact me for a loaner.

[kimokk]

I was able to abolish the light with the Peake reset tool. And it stayed off for an extended time. So I didn't worry about it. If you would like to borrow the tool, contact me for a loaner.

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