Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Instructions For Scrapping Airbag Vehicles

The gas generator is a pyrotechnic component of the airbag, seat belt tensioner, seat belt lock tensioner, safety battery terminal and ITS head airbag.

CAUTION: Unignited gas generators present a danger (also for the environment)!

- To satisfy accident prevention regulations, gas generators must be rendered unserviceable before being scrapped. This is necessary because pyrotechnical objects, if incorrectly activated (e.g. scrapping with burner) can cause injury.

NOTE: On vehicles listed above and intended for scrapping, always ensure prior to draining all fluids and before further dismantling work that all gas generators are ignited in the vehicle. The ignited gas generators can be scrapped together with the vehicle.

Ignition Failure
- If proper ignition is not possible, the corresponding components must be removed under observance of the safety regulations for handling components of the airbag system and disposed of by a special disposal company!
- If an ignition has malfunctioned; disconnect the igniter from the battery and wait several minutes before approaching the vehicle!

NOTE: Components of an airbag system must always be disposed of and may not be marketed as used parts.

Ignition
- Ignition may only be carried out by specially trained personnel and under the supervision of a responsible person. Also observe the otherwise usual accident prevention regulations (protective goggles, hearing protection etc.).
- Gas generators must be ignited in the vehicle to be scrapped from outside with the doors closed, however with the trunk lid, side windows and sunroof open. To this purpose, the ignition device developed by BMW and the corresponding cables must be used.

Important
- After igniting gas generators, a ventilation time of 10 minutes with the doors open must be adhered to before working in the vehicle!
- Wear protective goggles and protective gloves when handling an ignited gas generator!
- The burning of solid fuel will heat up airbag unit - danger of burning hands!
- Wash skin with water after contact with ignited gas generators!

1. Driver Airbag With Indicator Lamp Integrated In Steering Wheel
1.1 Remove the airbag unit from the steering wheel. Observe safety regulations for handling component of the airbag system!
1.2 Pull connector off airbag unit. Cut off wire with connector pulled on at point of exit from steering wheel (cable length remaining on connector approx. 20 cm) and strip both wire ends. Push connector onto airbag unit again.
1.3 Reinstall airbag unit, whereby both wire ends must lie outside the steering wheel. Important! An airbag unit that is not fastened in accordance with regulation can lead to injury when ignited.
1.4 Connect cable 62 1 320 to cable ends and igniter 62 1 270.
1.5 Connect igniter to a 12 Volt battery (distance from vehicle: 10 m).
1.6 Keep as far away from vehicle as permitted by length of ignition lead - always stand in front of vehicle (this also concerns other persons).
1.7 Press switch on igniter - airbag ignites. If no ignition takes place, refer to Ignition failure. (see above)

2. Vehicles From Model Year 94 (all Airbags, Seat Belt Lock Tensioner, Safety Battery Terminal)
2.1 Remove connector from airbag control unit. Installation location of the airbag control device: E36, E34 under rear seat; E31, E38, E39, Z3 under oddments tray.
2.2 Attach igniter 62 1 270 to the 30-pin connector with cable 62 1 210 or to the 50-pin connector with cable 62 1 310.
2.3 Connect igniter to a 12 Volt battery (distance from vehicle: 10 m).
2.4 Keep as far away from vehicle as permitted by length of ignition lead - always stand in front of vehicle (this also concerns other persons).
2.5 Press igniter switch - gas generators ignite.
2.6 If cable 62 1 310 (50-pin connector) is used, only the gas generators on one side of the vehicle (e.g. left side only) are ignited. If no ignition takes place, refer to Ignition failure. (see above)
2.7 Disconnect igniter from battery.
2.8 Connect igniter to free connector.
2.9 Keep as far away from vehicle as permitted by length of ignition lead - always stand in front of vehicle (this also concerns other persons).
2.10 Connect igniter to the battery (distance from vehicle: 10 m).
2.11 Press igniter switch - gas generators on the other side of the vehicle ignite. If no ignition takes place, refer to Ignition failure. (see above)