how can i disable front airbag for baby seat?

SimplyRed · Post by **SimplyRed** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:05 pm

Anybody able to advise me how i can switch off the front passenger airbag so i can have a rear facing baby seat?

is it something thats DIY or do i have to visit the stealers?

2005 3.0 d sport.

chris

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:44 pm

BMW seem a little cagey at this as I enquired for my old 530d. They said there was a possibility but it was very expensive.

Didn't bother in the end.

Strange as other makes do this without any issues. Had this done on my wife's Golf from the dealer at a small cost of Â£70.

shadrack · Post by **shadrack** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:13 pm

yeh i agree with raj in fact many cars have an ignition key operated swich on to isolate the passanger side airbag, you could always just unplug them i know this would put the airbay light on the dash but if it keeps the baby safe!

ITBarbie · Post by **ITBarbie** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:49 pm

Mercedes want to charge a fortune to turn it off so I fear BMW will do the same

x5dom · Post by **x5dom** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:11 pm

Mercedes basically want you to purchase their own baby seat which has a chip in it to disable the airbag when fitted up from... Automatic Child Seat Recognition (AKSE)

Also an issue when sourcing an X5 for family use is if it has the rear door side airbags fitted... a 'no' if you want to fit baby seats

SimplyRed · Post by **SimplyRed** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:46 pm

[quote=""shadrack""]yeh i agree with raj in fact many cars have an ignition key operated swich on to isolate the passanger side airbag, you could always just unplug them i know this would put the airbay light on the dash but if it keeps the baby safe![/quote]

so how would i go about manually disconnecting it?

also is it a simple reconnection to remove the airbag light or is there any reset needed?

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:56 pm

When speccing brand new you can have the airbag disable facility fitted but it's just when trying to get it done afterwards BMW are really really expensive.

Once the error is thrown up it is a diagnostics reset required.

stevox5 · Post by **stevox5** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:02 pm

For it to be carried out at a dealer you would need to sign a form that goes with the cars history with BMW GB for liability reasons.The dealer then orders a new code for the airbag ecu to change the coding data for deleting the passanger air bag so the aibag warning light stays off , the ecu will need to be recoded with this code.
The wiring to the air bag in the dash and the side airbag in the door are then manually disconected.Also depending on what part number seat belt n/s/f you have fitted you may need a new one as airbag and non airbag equipment belts are different. It is a labour intensive job at a dealer but it is done cottectly with no liability problems for the dealer or you , just be aware if you manually disconnect it you may encounter problems via insurance should you have an accident.
Expensive but if you are going to do it I would do it properly.

HTH

SimplyRed · Post by **SimplyRed** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:16 am

.....just had a chat with BMW.

Â£45 to do and Â£45 to undo.

You would think that in these safety conscious times that it would be something BMW offer to do for free.
I mean they give the car a winter check for free, they even store your removable hardtop for free in the summer.

Naturally when the car goes in you will get the call that says "Oh we noticed your car needs new tyres and brakes etc"

I sent it last week and I had a call, "Sir, we are calling to let you know that we have discovered that your front tyres are 65% worn, shall we replace them?" I reply "Doesn't that mean there is 35% left before they are unsafe". They say "Yes, that is correct". Then there is an awkward silence!!!!!

stevox5 · Post by **stevox5** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:52 pm

If a BMW dealer will do it for Â£45 you should bite their hand off,that is a very good price for the work involved.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 7:01 pm

Just one question though. Why would you want to put a baby on the front seat anyway? The correct fixings are supplied in the back and that's the safest place - according to some researchers at least.

When we were looking a couple of weeks back, and also talking to the dealer, they were adamant about us not fitting any kind of child seat in the front at all. Both the X6 and Mini have airbag switches installed but that was to protect a pregnant passenger or someone with a specific medical need. Baby seats were a no no as far as they saw it, even if perfecly legal.

There does seem to be a very mixed set of opinions on this and you must do what feels right in your own case.

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