BMW X5 2005 , electrical problem ?? When I turn on the ignition the air bag light stays on ( problem is intermittent) it affects all functions on the steering wheel ( cruise control etc ) the front and rear windscreen wipers , the horn , the seat belt alarm comes on , interior lights come on and off and more recently the Trans failsafe alarm , 4x4 alarm also , anyone had similar problems ? Thanks Jim

Your head light got nothing to do with the other two problems.
As for the air condition and the dash you need to change the ignition switch $63.00 from autozone this should take care of other problem such as air bag light as will.by the way air bag recall for all 2000 3 series for air bag light now dealer will fix for free of charge.
Good luck.

Hi this problem requires diagnostic equipment to check what faults are present in the restraints system. Only if faults appear intermittent can be erased and system will correct ,air bag light will go off. (present faults will not allow system to repair it self ).

There are 2 possibilities: the spark plugs are not firing or the fuel system is clogged.

There are 2 ignition switch recalls for your vehicle:

Check your vehicle for the recall service stickers or call BMW and have your VIN number ready when you call and have them run your vehicle service history.

They should be able to tell you if the recall had been performed on your car.

Recall ID # 93253 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Full Details Recall Date OCT 17, 2012 Component ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Model Affected 7-Series Potential Units Affected Recall ID # 93244 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Full Details Recall Date OCT 17, 2012 Component ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Model Affected 7-Series Potential Units Affected

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2007/bmw/7_series/recalls/#ixzz3Ft0kI54g

94+ AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES/CLEARING
Code Component/Fault Description

No Air Bag Indicator - Inoperative Indicator Circuit
Continuous Air Bag Indicator - Diagnostic Trouble Code Timed Out, Diagnostic Monitor Disconnected or Inoperative, or No Ignition Voltage to Diagnostic Monitor.
12 Lost Battery Feed
13 Air Bag Circuit Shorted to Ground
14 Primary Crash Sensor Circuit Shorted to Ground
21 Diagnostic Monitor Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
22 Safing Sensor Output Circuit Shorted to Battery Voltage
23 Memory Clear Circuit Improperly Grounded
24 System Disarm Failure or Internal Diagnostic Monitor Fault
32 Driver Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open
33 Passenger Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open
34 Driver Side Air Bag Circuit Low Resistance or Shorted
35 Passenger Side Air Bag Circuit Low Resistance or Shorted
41 RH Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Feed/Return Circuit Open
42 LH Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Feed/Return Circuit Open
44 RH Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
45 LH Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
52 Intermittent or Repaired Lost Battery Feed
53 Intermittent or Repaired Air Bag Circuit Shorted to Ground
54 Intermittent or Repaired Primary Crash Sensor Circuit Shorted to Ground
61 Intermittent or Repaired Diagnostic Monitor Not Mounted to Vehicle Properly
62 Intermittent or Repaired Safing Sensor Output Circuit Shorted to Battery Voltage
63 Intermittent or Repaired Memory Clear Circuit Improperly Grounded
64 Intermittent or Repaired System Disarm Failure or Internal Diagnostic Monitor Fault
72 Intermittent or Repaired Driver Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open
73 Intermittent or Repaired Passenger Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open
74 Intermittent or Repaired Driver Side Air Bag Circuit Low Resistance or Shorted
75 Intermittent or Repaired Passenger Side Air Bag Circuit Low Resistance or Shorted
81 Intermittent or Repaired RH Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Feed/Return Circuit Open
82 Intermittent or Repaired LH Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Feed/Return Circuit Open
84 Intermittent or Repaired RH Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Not Mounted to Vehicle
85 Intermittent or Repaired LH Radiator Primary Crash Sensor Not Mounted to Vehicle
Rapid Continuous Flashing of Air Bag Indicator (No Diagnostic Trouble Code) Both Primary Crash Sensors Disconnected Assembly Plant Mode

TROUBLE CODE CLEARING

1. Follow the diagnostic procedures to service the fault condition flashing on the air bag indicator prior to code clearing.

2. Cycle the ignition switch to OFF and then to RUN.

3. Observe air bag indicator prove-out (six ? two seconds) followed by diagnostic trouble code (52-85) flashing completely one time.

4. Locate the Diagnostic "Trouble Code Clear" Connector (grey connector). located underneath the glove compartment, left side (06010) containing Circuits 631 (T/R) and 57 (BK).

5. Use a jumper wire to short Circuit 631 (T/R) to Circuit 57 (BK) or to another good ground. This short must be made after the diagnostic trouble code flashes completely one time, but before the warning light stays on continuously.

6. Hold short until air bag diagnostic monitor tone sounds (approximately five seconds).

7. Release short on Circuit 631 (T/R) to Circuit 57 (BK). This short must be released within 25 seconds after the diagnostic monitor tone sounds.

Diagnostic trouble code is now cleared from memory. Next highest priority diagnostic trouble code stored (if one exists) will begin flashing.

The codes and clearing proceedure above are to be used as a guide, NO claims are implied as to the correctness or accuracy of either.

Have you checked for codes ? Might be your first place to begin checking on what is causing your air bag light to stay on.

You just need to turn it off again. You created a false trigger of the light. You may have to have dealer do it with scan tool.


Prove Out Procedure
Turn the ignition switch from the OFF to the RUN position and visually monitor the air bag indicator with the air bag modules or restraint system diagnostic tools installed. The air bag indicator will light continuously for approximately six seconds and then turn off. If an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault is present, the air bag indicator will either:

• fail to light.
• remain lit continuously.
• flash.

The flashing might not occur until approximately 30 seconds after the ignition switch has been turned from the OFF to the RUN position. This is the time required for the restraints control module (RCM) to complete the testing of the SRS. If the air bag indicator is inoperative and an SRS fault exists, a chime will sound in a pattern of five sets of five beeps. If this occurs, the air bag indicator will need to be repaired before diagnosis can continue.
----------------------------------------------------------- Restraints Control Module (RCM)
The restraints control module (RCM) performs the following functions:

• signals the inflators to deploy the air bags in the event of a deployable crash.
• monitors the air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) for faults.
• illuminates the air bag indicator if a fault is detected.
• flashes the air bag indicator to indicate the lamp fault code (LFC) detected.
• communicates through the data link connector (DLC) the current or historical diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).
• signals the generic electronic module (GEM) to activate a chime if the air bag indicator is not available and another SRS fault exists.

NOTE: The safing sensor is internal to the RCM and is not repaired separately.
The RCM monitors the SRS for possible faults. If a fault is detected while the ignition switch is in the RUN position, the RCM will illuminate the air bag indicator located in the instrument cluster.
When the ignition is cycled (turned off and then on), the air bag indicator will begin its prove out sequence. During prove out the air bag indicator will illuminate for six seconds, go off for two seconds and then, if a system fault exists, flash the two-digit LFC. The air bag indicator will flash the LFC five times, then it will remain illuminated for the rest of the key cycle. The RCM will also communicate the current and historical DTCs through the DLC, using a scan tool. If the air bag indicator does not function, and the system detects a fault condition, the RCM will signal the GEM to activate an audible chime. The chime is a series of five sets of five tone bursts. If the chime is heard, the SRS and the air bag indicator require repair.
LFCs are prioritized. If two or more faults occur at the same time, the fault having the highest priority will be displayed. After that fault has been corrected, the next highest priority fault will be displayed.
The RCM includes a backup power supply. This feature provides sufficient backup power to deploy the air bags in the event that the ignition circuit is damaged in a collision before the safing and air bag sensors determine that deployment is required. The backup power supply will deplete its stored energy approximately one minute after the battery ground cable is disconnected.
Electrical System
The electrical system that supports the air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS):

• is powered from the battery through the ignition circuit.
• provides the electrical path from the restraints control module (RCM) to the air bag modules.
• provides the electrical path from the RCM to the air bag indicator.
• provides the electrical path from the RCM to the data link connector (DLC).
• provides the electrical path from the RCM to the generic electronic module (GEM).

----------------------------------------------------------
Restraints Control Module (RCM) Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Priority Table DTC a LFC b LFC Priority Description Action To Take — — 1 The Air Bag Indicator is Illuminated Continuously — RCM Disconnected, Inoperative, or Lost/Low Ignition Feed Go To Pinpoint Test A . B1342 24 2 RCM Is Faulted INSTALL a new RCM. B1231 19 3 RCM Crash Data Memory Full INSTALL a new RCM. B1921 21 4 RCM Bracket Ground Resistance High Go To Pinpoint Test B . C1414 29 5 Incorrect Vehicle Identification Code Go To Pinpoint Test C . B1887 15 6 Driver Air Bag Circuit Shorted to Ground B1916 15 7 Driver Air Bag Circuit Shorted to Battery or Ignition B1888 16 8 Passenger Air Bag Circuit Shorted to Ground B1925 16 9 Passenger Air Bag Circuit Shorted to Battery or Ignition B1932 32 10 Driver Air Bag Circuit Resistance High B1933 33 11 Passenger Air Bag Circuit Resistance High B1934 34 12 Driver Air Bag Circuit Resistance Low B1935 35 13 Passenger Air Bag Circuit Resistance Low B1892 — 17 Air Bag Tone Warning Indicator Circuit Shorted to Ground or Open B1891 — 18 Air Bag Tone Warning Indicator Circuit Shorted to Battery or Ignition B1869 Tone c 19 Air Bag Indicator Inoperative B1870 Tone c 20 Air Bag Indicator Shorted to Battery — — — No Communication with the Restraints Control Module

Hi,
BMWs usually have a peculiar problem with unnecessary warning lights especially as they get older in use. I don't think this is of any hazard except that you need to check the fuse box in the bonnet that has to do with electrical connections.

Cheers

Hi , does your car have a side door air bag ? , if so this would have to be removed to replace the window mechanism and the ignition has probably been turned on with the air bag disconected so the air bag control unit has reconised a open curcuit fault, the warning light will stay on until the fault memory has been cleared , hope this helps , regards mark

There must be a problem with the air bag system for the light to be on, if the system was o.k. the light would be off and have a stored code. You cannot reset this light with a generic obd2 scanner. You need to access the air bag system and read what codes it has stored. Good Luck.

more than one plug disconnect or a ground problem