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#1. SRS - passenger occupancy sensor - from marty
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Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 12:17:54 -0400 From: marty <mfraiser@earthlink.net> Subject: SRS - passenger occupancy sensor Greetings, I'm getting an SRS light on my '96 M3. Reading the code with a Peake tool tells me passenger occupancy sensor. I've been getting these intermittently but a reset would 'fix' it for several months. Now it stays on so I suppose something has finally failed. Wouldn't you know it - Va changed the law this year where an illuminated SRS fails state inspection and I need said inspection this month. I've searched around but really only found the info on how to fool it when installing racing shells. Is the failure point usually the module or the pad and how would i determine what needs to be fixed or replaced? thanks, marty
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#2. Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor - from Robert Brooks
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Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 11:40:06 -0600 From: Robert Brooks <m3rb@comcast.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor It's the pad in the seat, almost certainly. I disassembled mine mostly but chickened out taking the seat bottom leather off. Looked hard to get back on right. So I did the fakeout trick with the resistor and diode. I did it inside the module so it's a stealth fix. Note, the effect of this is that the passenger side airbag will deploy regardless of whether someone is sitting in it, or not. The purpose of the sensor is to prevent the bag from firing if the seat is empty, a cost savings measure for insurance companies. Really dumb idea, IMO. > > > Greetings, > > I'm getting an SRS light on my '96 M3. Reading the code with a Peake > tool tells me passenger occupancy sensor. I've been getting these > intermittently but a reset would 'fix' it for several months. Now it > stays on so I suppose something has finally failed. Wouldn't you know > it - Va changed the law this year where an illuminated SRS fails state > inspection and I need said inspection this month. > > I've searched around but really only found the info on how to fool it > when installing racing shells. > Is the failure point usually the module or the pad and how would i > determine what needs to be fixed or replaced? > > thanks, > marty > > >
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#3. Re: [E36M3] Koni Rears - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 10:40:32 -0700 (PDT) From: "Jim Bassett" <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Koni Rears On Wed, October 4, 2006 5:36 pm, Foley, Brian said: > however I thought that the torque specs on > these were kinda unusual. The top nut that mounts to the shock shaft was > listed at 11 ft/lbs. The torque for the mount-to-body nuts was listed as > 22 ft/lbs. Can anyone confirm that this is correct for me? While I don't have my Bentley handy, based on the number of times I've performed this job, those sound right. What makes them "unusual" to you? > Also, I > tossed the dust boot/rubber stops on the original Boge shocks as they > were falling apart. I don't need to replace these/add to the Koni's do I? The rubber stops are the bump stops, you'll definietly want those. Dust boots wouldn't be a bad idea, either. > TIA, Brian Foley '97 M3/4 w/ rears done, front struts to go. Since the rear bump stops were in bad shape, might as well get new front ones as well in preparation for this job. Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 - new bump stops when new suspension was installed 1993 325is #44 JP - new rear (shortened) bump stops after one completely disintegrated during track-side inspection
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#4. Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor - from Reid Conti
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 10:50:22 -0700 From: "Reid Conti" <reid@conti.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor > The purpose of the sensor is to prevent the bag from firing if the seat > is empty, a cost savings measure for insurance companies. Really dumb > idea, IMO. Saves everyone money, the way I see it. Say all you want about insurance companies just pocketing the difference, but higher costs WOULD affect us. Not to mention people who might be inclined to pay out of pocket for some accidents... - reid
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#5. Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor - from Peter Loron
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 10:52:38 -0700 From: "Peter Loron" <peterloron@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor Well, the cost of replacing an unnecessarily deployed airbag may be the difference between a totaled car and a keeper. Search through Bimmerforums.com <http://bimmerforums.com/>. There have been numerous threads on this issue. I think with some seats, you don't need to take everything apart to swap out the sensor. -Pete On 10/5/06, Robert Brooks <m3rb@comcast.net> wrote: > > Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 11:40:06 -0600 > From: Robert Brooks <m3rb@comcast.net> > Subject: Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor > > It's the pad in the seat, almost certainly. I disassembled mine mostly > but chickened out taking the seat bottom leather off. Looked hard to > get back on right. > So I did the fakeout trick with the resistor and diode. I did it inside > the module so it's a stealth fix. > > Note, the effect of this is that the passenger side airbag will deploy > regardless of whether someone is sitting in it, or not. > > The purpose of the sensor is to prevent the bag from firing if the seat > is empty, a cost savings measure for insurance companies. Really dumb > idea, IMO. > > > > > > > Greetings, > > > > I'm getting an SRS light on my '96 M3. Reading the code with a Peake > > tool tells me passenger occupancy sensor. I've been getting these > > intermittently but a reset would 'fix' it for several months. Now it > > stays on so I suppose something has finally failed. Wouldn't you know > > it - Va changed the law this year where an illuminated SRS fails state > > inspection and I need said inspection this month. > > > > I've searched around but really only found the info on how to fool it > > when installing racing shells. > > Is the failure point usually the module or the pad and how would i > > determine what needs to be fixed or replaced? > > > > thanks, > > marty > > > > > > > > > > > ************************************************* > Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: > > Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com > Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com > Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com > Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com > Treehouse Racing http://www.treehouseracing.com > Elephant Motorsports Inc. http://www.elephantmotorsports.com > > DIGEST INFORMATION: > http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm > ************************************************* > > >
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#6. Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor - from Gus Iverson
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 11:01:31 -0700 From: "Gus Iverson" <gus.iverson@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor I'm not sure about the E36 implementation but newer vehicles are required to have the sensors detect the weight of the passenger as well as their presence and not deploy if the passenger doesn't pass a minimum weight threshold. This is a safety measure designed to protect women and smaller children (who can ride in the front seat) because they're typically injured by the airbag deployment because the system was designed to protect a minimum 160 pound man. Gus On 10/5/06, Robert Brooks <m3rb@comcast.net> wrote: > Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 11:40:06 -0600 > From: Robert Brooks <m3rb@comcast.net> > Subject: Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor > > It's the pad in the seat, almost certainly. I disassembled mine mostly > but chickened out taking the seat bottom leather off. Looked hard to > get back on right. > So I did the fakeout trick with the resistor and diode. I did it inside > the module so it's a stealth fix. > > Note, the effect of this is that the passenger side airbag will deploy > regardless of whether someone is sitting in it, or not. > > The purpose of the sensor is to prevent the bag from firing if the seat > is empty, a cost savings measure for insurance companies. Really dumb > idea, IMO. > > > > > > > Greetings, > > > > I'm getting an SRS light on my '96 M3. Reading the code with a Peake > > tool tells me passenger occupancy sensor. I've been getting these > > intermittently but a reset would 'fix' it for several months. Now it > > stays on so I suppose something has finally failed. Wouldn't you know > > it - Va changed the law this year where an illuminated SRS fails state > > inspection and I need said inspection this month. > > > > I've searched around but really only found the info on how to fool it > > when installing racing shells. > > Is the failure point usually the module or the pad and how would i > > determine what needs to be fixed or replaced? > > > > thanks, > > marty > > > > > > > > > > > ************************************************* > Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: > > Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com > Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com > Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com > Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com > Treehouse Racing http://www.treehouseracing.com > Elephant Motorsports Inc. http://www.elephantmotorsports.com > > DIGEST INFORMATION: > http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm > ************************************************* > > >
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#7. Flickering oil light - from Matthew Teel
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 10:02:43 -0800 From: "Matthew Teel" <mteel@beluga.com> Subject: Flickering oil light I suddenly began to experience a flickering oil light at idle yesterday. I checked oil levels as OK and engine sounded quiet. The light would go off as soon as the engine came off idle. I drove the car home, and since it had just come due for an Oil Service, I went ahead and changed the oil. Everything looked normal, so I then drove it again for a test drive and no flickering oil light... until the engine got good and warmed up (temps are in the 40s here) when it reappeared. I had to be engaging in stop and go traffic for awhile before it started happening again. What's the best approach to troubleshoot this? I suspect the oil sending unit. It's times like this I wish I had an oil pressure gauge. Thanks, Matthew '98 M3/4
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#8. Re: [E36M3] Flickering oil light - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 11:22:26 -0700 (PDT) From: "Jim Bassett" <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Flickering oil light On Thu, October 5, 2006 11:06 am, Matthew Teel said: > What's the best approach to troubleshoot this? Couple of thing spring to mind (after "Stop driving the car!!" :-)): - Bad/faulty oil pressure sensor; I don't think I've ever heard of this before, but it would seem to be the easiest to check/fix; - Failing oil pump; possible, but involved to get to (drop the oil pan); - Loosening oil pump nut; just thinking about this makes me shudder (BTDT) - nut holding chain sprocket loosens/falls off, creating complete loss of oil pressure. Only other thought is, have you changed the viscosity of oil you're using? While the oil pressure sensor is REALLY low (7psi?), all oil thins a bit as it warms up, and if you are using a really thin oil that might explain the flickering. But my money is on a mechanical issue. Good luck, Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 - precautionarily-secured oil pump nut 1993 325is #44 JP - rebuilt motor due to loss of oil pump nut :-( (but I :-) at the ability to run-down MarkD, making up for my lack of talent)
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#9. Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor - from Skip Bogard
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 14:53:50 -0400 From: Skip Bogard <skipb@bellsouth.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor It's not just a cost savings for insurance companies. Let's say you had a '98 M3 with airbags. The '98 goes for about $12,500, and the car is totalled when it hits about 75% of that to fix it. So, you better not have more than $9375 in damage. If you are rear-ended and pushed into another car (causing $4000 damage to rear and $3500 damage to front), you aren't far from the limit. That air bag deployment could be the difference between repaired v. totaled. - Skip _______________________________________________________ The purpose of the sensor is to prevent the bag from firing if the seat is empty, a cost savings measure for insurance companies. Really dumb idea, IMO.
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#10. Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor - from Robert Brooks
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Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 13:10:57 -0600 From: Robert Brooks <m3rb@comcast.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] SRS - passenger occupancy sensor Well, I have heard of dozens of instances of actual failures of the damn sensor causing inconvenience and expense. Versus these theoretical collision repair scenarios. I stand by my statement. > >It's not just a cost savings for insurance companies. Let's say you had a '98 >M3 with airbags. The '98 goes for about $12,500, and the car is totalled >when it hits about 75% of that to fix it. So, you better not have more than >$9375 in damage. > >If you are rear-ended and pushed into another car (causing $4000 damage >to rear and $3500 damage to front), you aren't far from the limit. That air >bag deployment could be the difference between repaired v. totaled. >- Skip >_______________________________________________________ > >The purpose of the sensor is to prevent the bag from firing if the seat >is empty, a cost savings measure for insurance companies. Really dumb >idea, IMO. > > > > >