The place to talk about ALPINAs.
e.g. News, Reviews, Insurance, Warranties, Running Costs, Sightings, general questions etc.
Moderators: Charles, neil, D4
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PerryGunn
- ALPINA
- Posts: 1740
- Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2012 10:30 pm
- Location: By the seaside
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by PerryGunn » Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:26 am
Alpina Jim wrote:If I move the passenger seat it can occasionally bring up the air bag light and with my code reader it points to the seat belt pretensioner wiring which I believe is a common problem on the E39 model. I really should pull it apart one day but just to cover myself I put the code reader in the car for mot day.
Would having the code reader actually help if the light came on when they tested the car?
Although, I presume that you could reset the fault code and take it back 10 mins later to show them that you've 'fixed' the problem and the air bag light is now out - bit like quickly replacing a blown bulb so they can issue the pass certificate
If that's the case, being able to just reset a fault code to extinguish the light without attending to the underlying fault makes that part of the test a bit pointless doesn't it?
Alpina Roadster S #320
BMW X3 F25 LCI 30d
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Alpina Jim
- ALPINA
- Posts: 1450
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:34 pm
- Location: Near Portsmouth
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by Alpina Jim » Wed Mar 20, 2013 12:10 pm
PerryGunn wrote:
Although, I presume that you could reset the fault code and take it back 10 mins later to show them that you've 'fixed' the problem and the air bag light is now out - bit like quickly replacing a blown bulb so they can issue the pass certificate
If that's the case, being able to just reset a fault code to extinguish the light without attending to the underlying fault makes that part of the test a bit pointless doesn't it?
Ouch
, the light has only come on once or twice in the last year and it was moving the passenger seat that caused it. I take the reader with me for peace of mind just in case it comes on whilst on route to the mot station although I know it will not do that. I agree fixing it is the correct way forward but I seem to be spending too much time on other projects lately and use the car so little at the moment.
Jim
'98 B10 3.2 #174 in Alpina Blue owned since 13th Sept 2002.
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PerryGunn
- ALPINA
- Posts: 1740
- Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2012 10:30 pm
- Location: By the seaside
Post
by PerryGunn » Wed Mar 20, 2013 12:26 pm
Alpina Jim wrote:PerryGunn wrote:
Although, I presume that you could reset the fault code and take it back 10 mins later to show them that you've 'fixed' the problem and the air bag light is now out - bit like quickly replacing a blown bulb so they can issue the pass certificate
If that's the case, being able to just reset a fault code to extinguish the light without attending to the underlying fault makes that part of the test a bit pointless doesn't it?
Ouch
, the light has only come on once or twice in the last year and it was moving the passenger seat that caused it. I take the reader with me for peace of mind just in case it comes on whilst on route to the mot station although I know it will not do that. I agree fixing it is the correct way forward but I seem to be spending too much time on other projects lately and use the car so little at the moment.
I wasn't criticising you, Jim... when I say it makes that bit of the test a bit pointless, I mean that the 'powers-that-be' haven't really thought this through as all they have done is make the MOT tester look for a lit warning bulb rather than actually check the underlying system and there are a number of ways around this - including removing the offending bulb if it's a car where they're easily accessible
Alpina Roadster S #320
BMW X3 F25 LCI 30d
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John_C
- ALPINA
- Posts: 1463
- Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:45 pm
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by John_C » Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:49 pm
They're wise to the bulb removal thing, warning lights must cycle properly I.e. come on with the ignition and then go off.
There is already a growing trend for things like occupancy sensors to be "fixed" with bypass modules, IMO there's going to be an absolute explosion in gizmos to either fake the operation of the lights or to make the car think things are OK when they're broken. There will be tragic consequences for some unwary used car buyers who have the misfortune to be involved in a smash.
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ollieebmw
- ALP
- Posts: 208
- Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2010 12:43 am
- Location: Croydon
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by ollieebmw » Wed Mar 20, 2013 10:20 pm
John_C wrote:I'm not sure I'd treat the airbag light being on as minor, I'd quite like my airbags to work in a crash
I understand what you are saying but they did run it through a fault finder and nothing came up. He told me the connector has not been moved for 15 years and a quick plug out and plug back in does the job which it did. He also told me if it becomes regular it could be the seat belt tensioner so I will wait and see if plugging it in and out will sort it otherwise a new tensioner will be ordered.
B10 Alpina
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dougie_s
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:10 pm
- Location: West Calder sleepy town
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by dougie_s » Wed Mar 27, 2013 4:41 pm
well, 184 flew through the new test yesterday - no advs either
noticed they now have the last 4 odometer readings and (MOT) dates on the certificate too - long overdue probably....
B3 3.3 - #184
MG Midget
520i sport (rain, diesel, kerb, fence, field....broke and dead)
Wife - Fiat 500 (putt putt)
Spare - Seat Ibiza Cupra
He who fears something gives it power over him
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PerryGunn
- ALPINA
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- Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2012 10:30 pm
- Location: By the seaside
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by PerryGunn » Wed Mar 27, 2013 4:54 pm
dougie_s wrote:noticed they now have the last 4 odometer readings and (MOT) dates on the certificate too - long overdue probably....
Excellent, nice to see that appearing...
And congrats on the flying pass
Alpina Roadster S #320
BMW X3 F25 LCI 30d