Couple of issues with my E85 Z4

[grussell]

I've run into a couple of issues with my Z4 that I would like to see rectified:

1. After replacing the steering wheel my airbag light has come on - I am fairly certain I replaced and reinstalled the green and black wiring correctly. According to the independent mechanic, they aren't able to reset the airbag light. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

2. The front headlight bulb needs replacing and after replacing with a new bulb it still isn't working. I suspect there is an issue with the wiring. Is this a common issue? How would I go about fixing this?

3. The roof has stopped working. When the car is static I press the 'roof open' button but all I get is a continuous amber light, no sound nothing. I've had a play with the micro switch on top of the roof hold but nothing seems to cut it.

Any advice would be greatly received.

 

[t-tony]

Headlight quite possibly a fuse, not uncommon for a fuse to pop when the bulb filament fails. I will check the fuse list later for you.
Did you disconnect the battery negative when you removed the steering wheel?. Being as the AB light is on you might as well remove the airbag assembly and check the connections (nothing to lose) but I'm fairly sure they're idiot proof regarding connectors.
Check in the boot that both the levers which raise/lower the "roof" of the boot are in the down position.

Tony.

 

[grussell]

Headlight quite possibly a fuse, not uncommon for a fuse to pop when the bulb filament fails. I will check the fuse list later for you.
Did you disconnect the battery negative when you removed the steering wheel?. Being as the AB light is on you might as well remove the airbag assembly and check the connections (nothing to lose) but I'm fairly sure they're idiot proof regarding connectors.
Check in the boot that both the levers which raise/lower the "roof" of the boot are in the down position.

Tony.

Hi Tony,

Thank you for your reply.

I have checked the fuse for the headlight but they all seem to be fine.

After double checking, the airbag was connected correctly - I had to remove the seats too so double checked those connections also and all fine. After further inspection I realised that as I disconnected the airbag connections, I broke the black retaining clip. Do you think that was the cause of the airbag light?

Both levers in the boot are in the down position and the roof still doesn't want to open.

 

[billz]

The roof maybe the dreaded Roof Motor failing. have a word with Mike @Ducklakeview he is a wizz at being able to bring them back to life.

 

[t-tony]

I broke the black retaining clip. Do you think that was the cause of the airbag light?

Definitely a possibility that, you could try either using a couple of small thin cable ties across the plugs to keep the connection secure or even a couple of laps of insulation tape round them. I'll dig further into the roof issue.

Have you tested for power at the connection onto the headlight bulb?

Tony.

 

[grussell]

Thanks for your replies.

In regard to the Airbag light, I’ve ordered a occupancy seat bypass because I know they trigger an airbag light too and mine was disconnected somehow (see previous thread) and I have ordered the B800 tool to reset the light and see if that makes a difference. Nevertheless, the airbag is connected so I don’t see why it should trigger the light. I’ll buy new retainers as a last resort.

How do you test for power at the connection?

Many thanks,

 

[t-tony]

You'll need something like this,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEAVY-DU...218607?hash=item35cdfda42f:g:mi4AAOSww3tY7wk4

You can buy this type of tester at any Motorists discount shops. Halfords will be expensive. Even your local Wilco's.

What you need to do is attach the earth clip to a good earth point under the bonnet, remove the 2 pin plug from the headlight bulb and turn on the lights (I'm assuming it's the Dipped beam?). Place the end of the metal probe into the connector and if you have power to the headlight the bulb in the handle will light up. If it does then either one of two things, a) the replacement bulb is faulty (not beyond the realms of possibility) or, b) you have lost earth to that connector. If it is the dipped beam, does that side main beam work?

Tony.

 

[grussell]

You'll need something like this,
View attachment 77248

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEAVY-DU...218607?hash=item35cdfda42f:g:mi4AAOSww3tY7wk4

You can buy this type of tester at any Motorists discount shops. Halfords will be expensive. Even your local Wilco's.

What you need to do is attach the earth clip to a good earth point under the bonnet, remove the 2 pin plug from the headlight bulb and turn on the lights (I'm assuming it's the Dipped beam?). Place the end of the metal probe into the connector and if you have power to the headlight the bulb in the handle will light up. If it does then either one of two things, a) the replacement bulb is faulty (not beyond the realms of possibility) or, b) you have lost earth to that connector. If it is the dipped beam, does that side main beam work?

Tony.

Hi Tony,

Thank you for your replies/advice.

Yes it is the dipped headlight bulb. All the other lights in the headlight assembly are working just fine. What does that indicate?

I have also noticed that the roof button light is actually a red solid light, not an amber one as previously stated (sorry, I am genuinely colour blind). Is that usually the motor?

 

[t-tony]

Hi Tony,

Thank you for your replies/advice.

Yes it is the dipped headlight bulb. All the other lights in the headlight assembly are working just fine. What does that indicate?

I have also noticed that the roof button light is actually a red solid light, not an amber one as previously stated (sorry, I am genuinely colour blind). Is that usually the motor?

Hi, just test the wires on the 2 pin connector to the dipped beam bulb as I said and see if you have "power" to the bulb. Let me know what you find please.

I'm fairly sure if the Roof switch shows a steady red light it's likely to be the motor. Where are you located again?

Tony.

 

[grussell]

What you need to do is attach the earth clip to a good earth point under the bonnet, remove the 2 pin plug from the headlight bulb and turn on the lights (I'm assuming it's the Dipped beam?). Place the end of the metal probe into the connector and if you have power to the headlight the bulb in the handle will light up. If it does then either one of two things, a) the replacement bulb is faulty (not beyond the realms of possibility) or, b) you have lost earth to that connector. If it is the dipped beam, does that side main beam work?

Tony.

So, I went to Wilkinson’s and bought a voltage tester. I placed it on both the connecting points and it lit up both times. BUT, I am slightly sceptical as it was a cheap old tool from Wilkinson’s (£4). I took the bulb out and swapped it for the internal bulb that’s in the boot and it lit up, so I know it’s not the bulb.
Also, not sure if I bought the right tool so might need to go back tomorrow.

I’m in South Wales or Northampton.

 

[t-tony]

The boot light has the same bulb as the front side light? Now I'm confused.

Tony.

ps. Can you post a picture of the bulb and wiring connector please

 

[grussell]

The connector takes a W5W bulb (the same as the internal boot bulb). Sorry I’m awful at knowing if it’s a side light/dipped headlight etc.

The drivers side headlight is what it should look like but the passengers side headlight put the hazard light on as a substitute (I am assuming). See where I’m pointing referring to the correct bulb, whoops.

 

[t-tony]

I take it your car is a facelift Z4 , 2006 on? Now, we had a Z4 with this issue in at work a while ago. I will ask tomorrow.

Tony.

 

[grussell]

I take it your car is a facelift Z4 , 2006 on? Now, we had a Z4 with this issue in at work a while ago. I will ask tomorrow.

Tony.

No, it’s a 53 plate 2003. Thank you once again for your advice and feedback.

 

[Ducklakeview]

No, it’s a 53 plate 2003. Thank you once again for your advice and feedback.

Replied to your message m8.

Mike

 

[grussell]

Just a quick question - if it is a bad earth. What might I do to fix it?