BMW Z3 airbag ECU

Bigbear

Regular Member
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Oct 4, 2024
Points
13
Hi…I have a BMW Z3 that I have had since 1999. It’s costly to use in London because of ULEZ but I am attached to the car and so have kept it going. But unfortunately, I have the dreaded airbag red light issue! So i can’t get it through an MOT or get road tax for the vehicle until it’s fixed…Apparently, I need a replacement airbag ECU (6908896). And I can’t find one with this serial number…. If anyone has one or can help me I would be very grateful.
 

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Ianmc

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 12, 2014
Points
165
Location
New Forest
Model of Z
Z3 (M44)
Normally the airbag light is triggered by a connection under the seat and can easily be reset. Never heard of an airbag ECU being required (who diagnosed that?), though I could be wrong. :thumbsup:
 

Duncodin

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Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Points
139
Location
Pontrhydyrun
Model of Z
Z3 M44
First thing I'd do is get a fault code reader and clear the fault and see if it comes back. Then, if it does, check the connections under the seats. If they're laying on a damp carpet that could be the problem.

What z3 is it? Some member here have managed to get theirs certified ULEZ compliant even though they weren't automatically compliant. Anyone know what the levels are to be compliant?
 

Bigbear

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Oct 4, 2024
Points
13
I think there are other cases I have read on here? But in terms of who diagnosed it - two local garages diagnosed the ECU as the issue. One of the garages got the ECU out (via gear stick) so I could obtain the serial number.
 

Bigbear

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Joined
Oct 4, 2024
Points
13
First thing I'd do is get a fault code reader and clear the fault and see if it comes back. Then, if it does, check the connections under the seats. If they're laying on a damp carpet that could be the problem.

What z3 is it? Some member here have managed to get theirs certified ULEZ compliant even though they weren't automatically compliant. Anyone know what the levels are to be compliant?
 

Bigbear

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2024
Points
13
ULEZ - It’s a Aug 1999 2.0 (6 cylinder)..mark II? I tried to get it certified (having obtained a certificate of compliance) from BMW but TfL declined it. I think the reason is that there was no measurement in 1999 for one of the key indicators so BMW put it as zero.

Codes - Two garages tell me they couldn’t clear the airbag ECU code. Other codes cleared ok. But there will have been damp in the car some months ago.
 

Bigbear

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Oct 4, 2024
Points
13
They tell me they read the codes. The first garage was pretty convincing and I trust them having used them for years. The second garage was a friend of a friend and I thought it was worth getting a second opinion from them…though they were less convincing. But I have a photo of their code reader.
 

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Ianmc

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 12, 2014
Points
165
Location
New Forest
Model of Z
Z3 (M44)
The under seat connections would be my first port of call; happens to mine if I move the seats excessively.
 

Bigbear

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Joined
Oct 4, 2024
Points
13
They tell me they read the codes. The first grade was pretty convincing and I trust them having used them for years. The second garage was a drums of a friend and I thought it was worth getting a second opinion - they were less convincing. But I have a photo of their code reader.
 

Bigbear

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2024
Points
13
The under seat connections would be my first port of call; happens to mine if I move the seats excessively.
Yes…I was hoping it was something like this (in fact I have had that fixed before by the first garage in the past). But I have been assured it’s the ECU.
 

NZ00Z3

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
New Zealand Zeds
Joined
Dec 9, 2014
Points
158
Location
Timaru, New Zealand
Model of Z
3.0L, 2.8L, 2.0L Z3 Roadsters
You have the F0 internal fault code. It can be fixed. Check out the module repair companies in the UK. There may be one that can do it.
 

Bigbear

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2024
Points
13
You have the F0 internal fault code. It can be fixed. Check out the module repair companies in the UK. There may be one that can do it.
I have looked one or two up…will look again. Difficult to tell who is genuine. Any recommendations from those who have used module repair companies in UK would be welcome.
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
You are not limited to the same part number, if you look here there are modules listed that can be used on your car but the replacement will need coding to your car with its Vin number and the system start time will need setting.
List here https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partxref?q=65776908896
 
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