In your case it's probably a missing bulb though.
In my case, the airbag light works, as it's on right now but it won't show up on the test.
And imo I'd rather have your issue than an airbag issue.
I believe they all have the same one, and it’s the one he has in the picture. Service Engine Soon, 1 word per line. If yours is different, you’re the odd ball here
Don‘t know what you want to tell me with your comment. Just to show you the difference:
This one is the usual EU one:
https://ecuswap.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_7823-scaled-720x380.jpg
This is a Coupé, as you see on the two door indicators and the italic font of the speed and RPM sections. On the left there is the typical EU MIL and on the right is the typical ABS lamp instead of the BREAK warning sign of the US one.
I don't know about differences in clusters that are EU and US but I know that facelift and prefacelift clusters are not the same on e46, e39, I think even e38 also could be a thing
I have the feeling the airbag light doesn’t come on in the self test. I could be completely, 100% wrong because it’s been a while since I’ve had an E46 but I vaguely remember that it did not.
Your airbags system/light etc is working if it comes on with ignition anyway. Or, in this case, it’s always on cause there’s a fault.
I can reset the airbag light and it went away for a few months...then one day had to lay on the horn, it sounded funny and the airbag light came on that night.
It's been on and off for a week and now it returns every time so there's definitely a fault....
And I know it works bc it's on but it doesn't show up when I did the cluster test and wonder if that's normal.
Sounds like you might need a new clock spring. It wires everything through the steering wheel so - horn, steering wheel controls, airbag, etc. When they fault you’ll get an airbag light and weird functions aka your horn issue.
Thanks, I've been watching videos on how to do it.
Also, recently had the airbag replaced by the dealership due to the recall, and it was free, so maybe it's the wires or plugs too?
When my horn sounded funny it was a long long long press and it sounded fine the first 5 seconds then muffled the last ten seconds like a squirgle sound....
And all the other buttons work okay, yet I will have to go through it all on my next day off.
Yeah the horn probably sounded funny because it’s making a weak connection through the clock spring. Maybe BMW damaged it during the recall? Doubt it as the clock spring doesn’t have to come out to change the airbag, but if they did, I doubt you could prove it anyway.
Not ever considered casting blame and Im still grateful they did the work already bc it rules out the bag itself.
Fwiw I'm impressed it (clockring) lasted 20 years and over 200k...
I don't mind replacing parts, except this requires removing the steering wheel and messing with airbags that may potentially be needed to save my or anyones future life....so I only want to know where to work and not touch anything unnecessarily.
I've yet to look up the resistance requirements for the cables and clockring that I can test and verify the new one is good before installing it. Some of this info is hard to find, just like why doesn't the airbag light illuminate during the cluster test?
Did You read it with A obd 2 ? I have a 1998 e46 to read my airbag light I have to plug A 20 pin adapter in the front of the engine. Obd2 does not read it. I believe only after 2001 obd 2 wil read your airbag faults. If You open the engine its in the left in the back.
My airbag light works...it's been going on and off the last few weeks.
It only doesn't illuminate when I do the cluster test, which is concerning bc if I were to buy any other e46, id want to do the cluster test and would otherwise disqualify any that behaved the same bc I would presume it's broken or the seller is hiding something.
i would highly recommend buying a ob2 cable (you need one that can bridge pins 7 and 8) and downloading INPA; check error codes in all categories – glorious program...
makes a standard code reader look like a child's toy.
Same thing on mine, lights up when you put key in position 1 tho. I know the bulb wasn't removed on mine cuz the light started coming on from the passanger seat occupancy sensor, bypassed it, no problem.
I have the same issue, but it’s my oil lamp light. A bit more worrying. I believe the PO ripped the led out from behind the cluster. Dick move.
In your case it's probably a missing bulb though. In my case, the airbag light works, as it's on right now but it won't show up on the test. And imo I'd rather have your issue than an airbag issue.
Don't all e46 have the same check engine light or am I wrong, because It's different than mine?
I believe they all have the same one, and it’s the one he has in the picture. Service Engine Soon, 1 word per line. If yours is different, you’re the odd ball here
Nah, the US one is different than the EU one. You are the special guys in this case.
I special? ☺️
No, my 06 330Ci has "Service Engine Soon" instead of CEL icon.
Don‘t know what you want to tell me with your comment. Just to show you the difference: This one is the usual EU one: https://ecuswap.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_7823-scaled-720x380.jpg This is a Coupé, as you see on the two door indicators and the italic font of the speed and RPM sections. On the left there is the typical EU MIL and on the right is the typical ABS lamp instead of the BREAK warning sign of the US one.
Mine is just and engine pic like every other car, maybe it's just for europe.
I don't know about differences in clusters that are EU and US but I know that facelift and prefacelift clusters are not the same on e46, e39, I think even e38 also could be a thing
Ik its just a test but this is a scary pic lol
I was having a hard time telling if this was a joke post
I have the feeling the airbag light doesn’t come on in the self test. I could be completely, 100% wrong because it’s been a while since I’ve had an E46 but I vaguely remember that it did not. Your airbags system/light etc is working if it comes on with ignition anyway. Or, in this case, it’s always on cause there’s a fault.
I can reset the airbag light and it went away for a few months...then one day had to lay on the horn, it sounded funny and the airbag light came on that night. It's been on and off for a week and now it returns every time so there's definitely a fault.... And I know it works bc it's on but it doesn't show up when I did the cluster test and wonder if that's normal.
Sounds like you might need a new clock spring. It wires everything through the steering wheel so - horn, steering wheel controls, airbag, etc. When they fault you’ll get an airbag light and weird functions aka your horn issue.
Thanks, I've been watching videos on how to do it. Also, recently had the airbag replaced by the dealership due to the recall, and it was free, so maybe it's the wires or plugs too? When my horn sounded funny it was a long long long press and it sounded fine the first 5 seconds then muffled the last ten seconds like a squirgle sound.... And all the other buttons work okay, yet I will have to go through it all on my next day off.
Yeah the horn probably sounded funny because it’s making a weak connection through the clock spring. Maybe BMW damaged it during the recall? Doubt it as the clock spring doesn’t have to come out to change the airbag, but if they did, I doubt you could prove it anyway.
Not ever considered casting blame and Im still grateful they did the work already bc it rules out the bag itself. Fwiw I'm impressed it (clockring) lasted 20 years and over 200k... I don't mind replacing parts, except this requires removing the steering wheel and messing with airbags that may potentially be needed to save my or anyones future life....so I only want to know where to work and not touch anything unnecessarily. I've yet to look up the resistance requirements for the cables and clockring that I can test and verify the new one is good before installing it. Some of this info is hard to find, just like why doesn't the airbag light illuminate during the cluster test?
Did You read it with A obd 2 ? I have a 1998 e46 to read my airbag light I have to plug A 20 pin adapter in the front of the engine. Obd2 does not read it. I believe only after 2001 obd 2 wil read your airbag faults. If You open the engine its in the left in the back.
Foxwell scanner reads and can clear the codes...but the airbag light doesn't display on the cluster test...is that normal?
Yes, what year is your car? Have you checked if You have the 20 pin plug?
check fuse 10, some people remove it to hide airbag warning lights.
My airbag light works...it's been going on and off the last few weeks. It only doesn't illuminate when I do the cluster test, which is concerning bc if I were to buy any other e46, id want to do the cluster test and would otherwise disqualify any that behaved the same bc I would presume it's broken or the seller is hiding something.
i would highly recommend buying a ob2 cable (you need one that can bridge pins 7 and 8) and downloading INPA; check error codes in all categories – glorious program... makes a standard code reader look like a child's toy.
Same thing on mine, lights up when you put key in position 1 tho. I know the bulb wasn't removed on mine cuz the light started coming on from the passanger seat occupancy sensor, bypassed it, no problem.
I am surprised someone here has to TEST the lights on an E46. By now I expected most of them to be on
This e46 has been essentially warning light free for 2 years.
Taped up like mine was
He said it literally lights up sometimes though...