Hi,

Could anybody tell me if the passenger seat matt sensor replacement is a difficult job to do as my local BMW dealer has quoted me £230. I have had an airbag light appear and a dealer has told me that the DTC readout has thrown up x2 faults for the seat matt and drivers side seat belt pre tensioner, however I've had the fault codes removed and the lights are off at the moment.

BMW 316i SE (1895cc)
Year: 2002

Thanks for your help in advance,
Phil

quite easy as long as you have the right tools and a little DIY experience. when you're ready and confident with yourself, just let me know and i'll provide the instruction.


_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

Thanks for the reply, I have noticed the light flickering on and off today whilst driving so I may remove the seat and check the coupler connections... what do you think?
Is this a common fault?
What is usually the actual problem with the part?

Sorry for all the questions, but I thought that if it is just a case of a coupler pin being loose then I may be able to fix it.

I will probably have a go at the repair on Friday afternoon, when do you usually come online? are you UK based?

Thanks,

Phil

Richings72 wrote:

Thanks for the reply, I have noticed the light flickering on and off today whilst driving so I may remove the seat and check the coupler connections... what do you think?

yes, you can do it yourself and may save a lot on your pocket but not your time. removing this component for the first time may take you 2-3 hours.


_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

Richings72 wrote:

Is this a common fault?
What is usually the actual problem with the part?

quite common though.

it is consist of a sensor mat with associated evaluation electronics inserted in the seat area of the front passenger seat. the track-shaped, pressure sensitive resistance structure streches over the whole of the seat area. the error occurs if the evaluation electronics and it's electrical connections have been damaged/loose/corroded. also, the problem can be caused by an incorrectly installed or the mat slides out of place overtime.


_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

Richings72 wrote:

I will probably have a go at the repair on Friday afternoon, when do you usually come online? are you UK based?

i'm always online everyday and i'm from the philippines.

can you give me the vin? or just tell me if your seat comes up with an electric adjustment and if it has a thigh support.


_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

Hi,
I haven't got the VIN with me at the moment and it's late at night. However the seat is not electic operated  and I don't think it has thigh support, but I'm not too sure what this is.
I have been to a very large BMW dealer today and spoken to a couple of mechanics about thye problem that I have with the airbag light flicering on and off whilst driving, and we all agreed that it must be poor connection.
I was about to buy a matt sensor to do the replacement on Friday but they suggested looking at the wire connections and harness condition 1st as they have changed hundreds of 'sections' of harness and cured the problems with lights coming on for airbags.
I will be removing the seats still on Friday to check the harness connectors etc but if I do not find anything loose/broken I will probably need to send the car in for a repalement harness section (this is the cheapest part to replace 1st @£150 inc parts and labour).
I will then go from there if it does not cure the problem..

Phil

i'll post the instructions here in case you need to...

316i seat 4.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	21.2 KB
Viewed:	927 Time(s)

316i seat 5.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	21.2 KB
Viewed:	927 Time(s)

316i seat 6.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	15.75 KB
Viewed:	927 Time(s)

_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

...

316i seat 7.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	53.34 KB
Viewed:	923 Time(s)

316i seat 8.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	38.82 KB
Viewed:	923 Time(s)

316i seat 9.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	36.22 KB
Viewed:	923 Time(s)

_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

...

316i seat 10.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	22.3 KB
Viewed:	919 Time(s)

316i seat 11.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	32.64 KB
Viewed:	919 Time(s)

316i seat 12.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	37.52 KB
Viewed:	919 Time(s)

_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

...

316i seat 13.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	34.86 KB
Viewed:	915 Time(s)

316i seat 14.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	30.47 KB
Viewed:	915 Time(s)

316i seat 15.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	36.82 KB
Viewed:	915 Time(s)

_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

...

316i seat 16.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	45.02 KB
Viewed:	911 Time(s)

316i seat 17.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	29.09 KB
Viewed:	911 Time(s)

316i seat 18.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	46.21 KB
Viewed:	911 Time(s)

_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

...

316i seat 19.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	49.87 KB
Viewed:	907 Time(s)

316i seat 20.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	47.18 KB
Viewed:	907 Time(s)

316i seat 21.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	55.98 KB
Viewed:	907 Time(s)

_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com

...

316i seat 22.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	41.68 KB
Viewed:	903 Time(s)

316i seat 23.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	70.01 KB
Viewed:	903 Time(s)

316i seat 24.jpg
Description:
Filesize:	54.71 KB
Viewed:	903 Time(s)

_________________
W I N D Z
" Once is enough, Twice is too much, Thrice is a disaster. "

www.M-BenzForum.com