Restraint System Malfunction on 2009 M3

ebohon · 12-08-2008, 06:58 PM

I've had my car just about a month now. On day 2, I received a Restraint System Malfunction. I've talked to several people at Crevier in Santa Ana and all they can tell me is that the part they need is still in Europe and don't know when to expect it. Its BS. Anyone else having a similar error code? I hate that it flashes on my idrive, the center console and it also affects the courtesy lights inside the car.

the error codes block part of the messages on the idrive when using the nav or looking for the time, temp, etc...

CPB · 12-08-2008, 07:13 PM

Strange, I just test drove an '08 on Sunday and the airbag icon was lit up. I mentioned it to the sales guy and he mumbled something about a reset?

skierman64 · 12-08-2008, 07:34 PM

Total speculation here: Look under the passenger seat and see if any wire got disconnected. The seat has a weight sensor that determines whether the airbag deploys or not, perhaps it got disconnected. There should be some quick disconnect wire connectors under the seat to check.

newtom3 · 12-08-2008, 11:42 PM

yeah that would be a huge nuisance... am just waiting for the shoe to drop on my 09... I seem to have dodged so many bullets experienced by others on this forum.

MysticBlue · 12-09-2008, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtom3

yeah that would be a huge nuisance... am just waiting for the shoe to drop on my 09... I seem to have dodged so many bullets experienced by others on this forum.

Relax and enjoy... It's the nature of these forums to focus on the problems. Nothing wrong with that, but hang out here long enough and it's easy to start thinking these BMW's must be the most unreliable cars on the road. My first 330i, I started worrying too, but I didn't have any of the problems that were commonly talked about on the forums. As it turned out, the one and only minor problem I had in 4 years was actually a unique problem with the lights that I never saw on the forums. My Z4M, which saw several track days, had exactly zero problems. None. Absolutely nothing ever had to be done to it except scheduled maintenance, (and a couple of oil changes I did on my own). I've had one idrive component replaced in my 09 M3, and no other problems. I'm very aware of the problems out there, but I'm not losing any sleep over it.
Now back to our regularily scheduled forum thread.

tom @ eas · 12-09-2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebohon

I've had my car just about a month now. On day 2, I received a Restraint System Malfunction. I've talked to several people at Crevier in Santa Ana and all they can tell me is that the part they need is still in Europe and don't know when to expect it. Its BS. Anyone else having a similar error code? I hate that it flashes on my idrive, the center console and it also affects the courtesy lights inside the car.

the error codes block part of the messages on the idrive when using the nav or looking for the time, temp, etc...

What did Crevier do in order to arrive at this decision?

Being the vehicle by, we're only about a mile away - I can take a look myself.

ebohon · 12-09-2008, 06:45 PM

All the sensors were tested individually and including the actual systems (airbags, seatbelts, etc.) to try and narrow down the problem. They had the car two days and it was determined that it was a unit not associated with the restraint system that was causing the error code. Something I believe in the top unit by the couresy lights by the rearview mirror. This was with help of technicians supposedly from corporate in Germany. I contacted BMWNA and am waiting for a call from them after they investigate issue since no one can give me an ETA for the part they need.

ebohon · 12-09-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

What did Crevier do in order to arrive at this decision?

Being the vehicle by, we're only about a mile away - I can take a look myself.

I may do that...but before I do, I'm going to make sure BMWNA or Crevier picks up your cost. I shouldn't have to go to anyone except BMW on a 70k car only 2 days old. Thanks,

Ed.

tom @ eas · 12-09-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebohon

I may do that...but before I do, I'm going to make sure BMWNA or Crevier picks up your cost. I shouldn't have to go to anyone except BMW on a 70k car only 2 days old. Thanks,

Ed.

Ed,

I 100% agree, we're here if you need a second opinion.

MysticBlue · 12-09-2008, 07:34 PM

Makes sense. In the process of hardwiring my escort, I had the entire overhead console out and unplugged. While testing my wire job and before I plugged in everything on the overhead console, I turned the ignition on. Got the same warning message you got. The only thing up there associated with this system is the passanger airbag off warning. Anyway, after I hooked everything back up, the warning went away. Seems like it would be easy enough to swap out an overhead console with another vehicle, just to confirm their diognoses if nothing else.

Niro · 12-10-2008, 05:06 AM

Me thinks that you should be writing a letter of complaint to BMW NA & AG!

jvictormp · 04-17-2020, 07:58 AM

Sorry about this old thread, but did you find out the cause of the problem? ebohon
I'm having the same.

12-08-2008, 06:58 PM	#1
ebohon Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 Coupe, 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Anaheim Hills, CA iTrader: (2)	Restraint System Malfunction on 2009 M3 I've had my car just about a month now. On day 2, I received a Restraint System Malfunction. I've talked to several people at Crevier in Santa Ana and all they can tell me is that the part they need is still in Europe and don't know when to expect it. Its BS. Anyone else having a similar error code? I hate that it flashes on my idrive, the center console and it also affects the courtesy lights inside the car. the error codes block part of the messages on the idrive when using the nav or looking for the time, temp, etc... Attached Images __________________ 2009 M3 : 6MT : Carbon : Silverstone : Fox Red Novilo : Aluminum Trim : Tech Package : iPod : MODS: Performance Spoiler: Clear Reflectors : H&Rs : Escort 9500ix hardwired : Tint : Macht Schnell Filter : RPI Scoops : Rogue Pulley : Fabspeed resonated x-pipe with Remus Race : ESS Tune: TVinMotion
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12-08-2008, 07:13 PM	#2
CPB Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 227 Posts Drives: 911 turbo/E63S Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Strange, I just test drove an '08 on Sunday and the airbag icon was lit up. I mentioned it to the sales guy and he mumbled something about a reset?
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12-08-2008, 07:34 PM	#3
skierman64 Brigadier General 125 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: E92M3-E46M3-E46Wagon-E89Z4-E36 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater St Louis Metro area iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 325is Race Car [0.00] 2011 BMW Z4 [0.00] 1998 M3 Coupe [0.00] 2008 M3 Coupe [0.00]	Total speculation here: Look under the passenger seat and see if any wire got disconnected. The seat has a weight sensor that determines whether the airbag deploys or not, perhaps it got disconnected. There should be some quick disconnect wire connectors under the seat to check. __________________ Invest Wisely...The best mod for your money?? BMWCCA high performance driver's school. The mod that lasts a lifetime and improves the performance of any car you drive[/LEFT]
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12-08-2008, 11:42 PM	#4
newtom3 First Lieutenant 15 Rep 361 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW M3 Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	yeah that would be a huge nuisance... am just waiting for the shoe to drop on my 09... I seem to have dodged so many bullets experienced by others on this forum.
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12-09-2008, 06:45 PM	#7
ebohon Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 Coupe, 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Anaheim Hills, CA iTrader: (2)	All the sensors were tested individually and including the actual systems (airbags, seatbelts, etc.) to try and narrow down the problem. They had the car two days and it was determined that it was a unit not associated with the restraint system that was causing the error code. Something I believe in the top unit by the couresy lights by the rearview mirror. This was with help of technicians supposedly from corporate in Germany. I contacted BMWNA and am waiting for a call from them after they investigate issue since no one can give me an ETA for the part they need. __________________ 2009 M3 : 6MT : Carbon : Silverstone : Fox Red Novilo : Aluminum Trim : Tech Package : iPod : MODS: Performance Spoiler: Clear Reflectors : H&Rs : Escort 9500ix hardwired : Tint : Macht Schnell Filter : RPI Scoops : Rogue Pulley : Fabspeed resonated x-pipe with Remus Race : ESS Tune: TVinMotion
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12-09-2008, 07:34 PM	#10
MysticBlue Lieutenant Colonel 369 Rep 1,887 Posts Drives: '20 M5C, '09 M3 DCT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon... They call 'em rigs here iTrader: (0)	Makes sense. In the process of hardwiring my escort, I had the entire overhead console out and unplugged. While testing my wire job and before I plugged in everything on the overhead console, I turned the ignition on. Got the same warning message you got. The only thing up there associated with this system is the passanger airbag off warning. Anyway, after I hooked everything back up, the warning went away. Seems like it would be easy enough to swap out an overhead console with another vehicle, just to confirm their diognoses if nothing else.
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12-10-2008, 05:06 AM	#11
Niro Private First Class 9 Rep 110 Posts Drives: Porsche 911 C4S Cab (after M3) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Australia (farewell UK!) iTrader: (0)	Me thinks that you should be writing a letter of complaint to BMW NA & AG!
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04-17-2020, 07:58 AM	#12
jvictormp Captain 881 Rep 787 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 E92 6MT Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Brazil iTrader: (0)	Sorry about this old thread, but did you find out the cause of the problem? ebohon I'm having the same.
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