Airbag Warning Lamp - Illuminates Intermittently
Group 72Safety Restraint Systems
Bulletin Number
72 03 98
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
July 1998
Product Engineering
SUBJECT:
Airbag Warning Lamp Illuminates Intermittently
MODEL:
3 Series (E36)
318i, 318is, 318iC from January 97.
Situation:
The airbag fault warning lamp illuminates for approximately 4 seconds during driving, and no fault codes are set in fault code memory. The problem occurs on vehicles fitted with ZAE2 airbag control units.
Vehicles fitted with side airbags (MRS control units) are unaffected.
Cause:
Momentary fluctuations in battery voltage can cause the ZAE2 control unit to reset. During reset, the airbag warning lamp illuminates for approximately 4 seconds.
Correction:
In case of a customer complaint, use the DIS tester to confirm no fault codes are set in memory.
Remove the ZAE2 control unit and replace with a special ZAE2 control unit with additional filtering on the battery supply input pin. Refer to repair instruction 65 77 016 for removal and installation procedure.
NOTE:
THIS SPECIAL CONTROL UNIT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED SPECIFICALLY FOR VEHICLES WITH THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THIS BULLETIN. EXCEPT FOR THE ADDITIONAL FILTERING ON BATTERY SUPPLY. IT IS THE SAME AS THE STANDARD ZAE2 CONTROL UNIT.
DUE TO LIMITED PARTS SUPPLY. THIS CONTROL UNIT SHOULD ONLY BE USED WITH THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT AND DIAGNOSIS.
Parts Information:
Part Number Description Qty.
65 77 4 149 976 ZAE2 Control Unit 1
Warranty Information:
Parts and labor are reimbursable under the terms of the BMW New Car Limited Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles.
Detect Code: 65 77 95 87 00
Labor operation: Remove and replace ZAE2 control unit
Main Work 65 77 016
Labor Allowance: 3 FRU - 318i, 318is
4 FRU - 318iC
Associated Work +65 77 516
Labor Allowance 2 FRU - 318i, 318is, 318iC
Note:
Main Work: Use this time when the only repair performed is the listed warranty repair.
OR
Associated Work: Use this time when other repairs or services are performed along with the listed warranty repair.
Under no circumstances should both work times be claimed. Attempts to claim both times will result in an unnecessary delay in claim processing and payment.