Warranty Information: For information only.2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 720399 Date: 000701

Warranty Information: For information only.2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 720399 Date: 000701

Rear Airbag - Activation/Deactivation

GROUP 72

Safety Restraint Systems

Bulletin Number

72 03 99

Woodcliff Lake, NJ

July 2000

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Service Engineering

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. 72 03 99 dated June 1999.

SUBJECT:

Rear Airbag Activation/Deactivation Procedure

Starting with June 1999 production, vehicles equipped with rear side airbags (option code 261) will arrive at the BMW center with the rear side

airbags deactivated. The rear HPS (head protection system), on E38 as of 3/99 production, will remain active from the factory. THE CUSTOMER

MUST BE INFORMED OF THIS SITUATION PRIOR TO DELIVERY.

MODEL:

E38, E39, E46, E53 with option 261 (rear seat side-impact airbag)

Situation:

Accident research shows that the safest place for children in an automobile is in the rear seat. However, a child sitting in the rear seat and not

properly restrained may place his or her head on or near the side airbag. It may be difficult for a driver to ensure that children in the rear seat will

remain properly positioned at all times and not place their heads on or near the side airbag. BMW of North America Inc. recommends that the

customer should deactivate the rear-seat side airbags if they plan to transport children in the rear seat of their BMW.

Although the rear side door airbags are deactivated, the rear side door air bag equipped vehicles will have "AIRBAG" stamped on the door trim

panel as illustrated.

Note:

This situation is not critical for the HPS. Therefore, BMW does not recommend the deactivation of the HPS.

This rear airbag status at the time of vehicle production is listed.

Correction:

Prior to new car delivery, the customer must be informed that the rear side airbags are deactivated. BMW of North America, Inc. will provide

rear-door side-airbag deactivation and reactivation free of charge to the customer, through all BMW centers, on a customer request basis only. Rear

HPS, if available will remain active, unless the separate deactivation of the rear HPS system is requested by the customer and performed by a BMW

center.

(Important:

Although the rear HPS can be deactivated, BMW NA does not recommend performing this procedure. Therefore, the customer will be

responsible for paying any cost associated with the deactivation of the rear HPS.)

Affected Vehicles:

E38, E39, E46, E53 with option 261 (rear-seat side-impact airbag)

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Parts Information:

Warranty Information:

Reimbursement for this procedure will be provided through warranty entry without regard to vehicle age or mileage.

All labor operations include time to fill out all required forms, remove rear door panels, disconnect/reconnect rear airbags, code the MRS module,

affix stickers. and discuss the procedure with the customer.

Reactivate/Deactivate the Rear Door Side Airbags

1. Information for Side Airbags

Provide the customer with the form "Information Concerning Side Airbag Activation / Deactivation" prior to the vehicle delivery.

2. Authorization from the Customer prior to activation or deactivation:

Obtain the necessary authorization (from the customer) for airbag activation/deactivation by having the customer complete the "Authorization to

Activate/Deactivate an Air Bag" form. This form must be completed by the customer before the activation / deactivation is performed.

3. Order the Labels: Refer to Parts Information in this S.I. (An initial supply of labels and forms will be automatically shipped to all BMW

centers.) All the proper labels should be affixed before the customer takes delivery of the vehicle.

4. Once the above components are obtained, contact the customer and arrange the appointment.

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Note:

A code is no longer needed to reactivate/deactivate the rear door side airbags as of DIS CD18.

5. Documentation

It is important that all documentation be completed and copies provided as follows:

a. Customer:

"Authorization to Activate/Deactivate an Air Bag" White copy

b. BMWNA:

"Authorization to Activate/Deactivate an Air Bag" Pink copy

"Airbag Deactivation/Reactivation Request (Part 2 must be completed)

Forms must be faxed to BMWNA at: (201)930-8401

or

mailed to BMWNA at:

BMW of North America, Inc.

BMW Plaza,

Montvale, NJ 07645

Attn: Quality and Service Engineering

Warning!:

Comply with airbag safety precautions! Incorrect handling can activate airbag and result in injury.

To Activate/Deactivate the rear door side airbag:

Note:

A BMW assigned code is not required for this operation.

6. Warning!Disconnect the battery and cover the negative cable terminal.

Failure to disconnect the battery may result in an airbag deployment.

Rear Door Side Airbag Deactivation/Reactivation only:

7. Remove the rear door panels.

8. Disconnect (reconnect) the main connector to both rear side airbags and secure the wires with small cable ties. (Connector may look different

than pictured here).

9. Install the rear door panel.

10. Coding: After the rear door airbag has been disconnected (reconnected if activating) the airbag module must be recoded:

-- Connect DIS or MoDic to the vehicle and turn the ignition ON to the number 2 position (KL-R).

-- Select "Encoding ZCS" (Version C 21.0 or higher.)

-- Identify vehicle.

-- Select "Conversions."

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-- Select "Airbag."

-- Select "1 Airbag components".

-- Select the action to be performed:

-- "1 Activation", or

-- "2 Deactivation".

-- Select "7 Side airbag, rear left"

-- Select "Yes" to start automatic coding.

If coding is completed successfully, the message "Coding is completed" is displayed.

Note:

The Central Coding Key will be changed

The same procedure has to be repeated for the right side rear airbag:

-- Select "Encoding ZCS" (Version C 21.0 or higher.)

-- Identify vehicle.

-- Select "Conversions."

-- Select "Airbag."

-- Select "1 Airbag components".

-- Select the action to be performed:

-- "1 Activation", or

-- "2 Deactivation".

-- Select "8 Side airbag, rear right"

-- Select "Yes" to start automatic coding.

If coding is completed successfully1 the message "Coding is completed" is displayed.

Note:

The Central Coding Key will be changed.

11. After coding has been completed turn the ignition OFF for at least 10 seconds.

-- Turn the ignition ON to the number 2 position (KL-R).

-- Select "Diagnosis."

-- Select "Airbag" or "Restraint Systems/Airbag." Expert Mode

-- Select "Clear Fault Memory."

12. Remove the existing C-Pillar airbag warning labels and affix the new warning labels.

13. BMW center activated rear side airbag:

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For vehicles produced 6/99 and later: Remove the orange warning label "Side Airbag not operational" from the left and right C-pillars. Leave

the warning label (72 12 8 240 204) attached!

14. Remove the clear warning label "Rear Door Side Airbag Deactivated" (SD92-133) from the left and right rear quarter windows. Do not use a

"scraper" to remove this label.

15. BMW center deactivated rear side door airbag:

Remove all the existing C pillar labels and then affix the warning label "Warning: Side Airbag Deactivated" (SD92-099) and "Warning Rear

door side airbags are Deactivated. Rear Head Protection is activated" (SD92-131) to left and right C-pillars. Refer to illustrations.

Warning label SD92-131

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16. Affix the clear warning label "Rear Door Side Airbag Deactivated" (SD92-133) onto the left and right rear quarter windows.

17. For BMW center deactivation, affix the "Supplement to Owner's Manual Warning: Airbag(s) in this vehicle have been deactivated"

(SD92-100) label in the Owner's Handbook on inside cover.

For BMW center activation, affix the "Supplement to Owner's Manual Warning: Rear side airbags are active" (SD92-127) label in the Owner's

Handbook on inside cover.

Reactivate/Deactivate the Rear HPS System

To deactivate/reactivate the rear HPS airbag system (with rear HPS equipped only)

Important:

Although the rear HPS can be deactivated BMW of NA does not recommend performing this procedure. Therefore, the customer will be

responsible for paying any cost associated with this procedure.

Rear side door air bag equipped vehicles will have "AIRBAG" stamped on the door trim panel as illustrated.

Vehicles with rear HPS will have "HPS" stamped on the C-pillar trim panel as illustrated.

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Vehicles that are equipped with rear airbags can have the listed combinations with DIS CD 21.0 or later.

1. Obtain the Code Complete the "Deactivation/ Reactivation Request" form (Part 1), and fax to BMWNA (201) 930-8401 together with the

"Authorization to Activate/Deactivate an Air Bag" form.

2. A deactivation/reactivation "Code" wilt be faxed back to the center.

Note:

The "Code" is specific to the dealer number programmed in the DIS tester, and the date on which the deactivation/reactivation is to be carried

out, and the VIN. Deactivation will not proceed unless all these criteria are met.

3. Warning!

Disconnect the battery and cover the negative cable terminal. Failure to disconnect the battery may result in an airbag deployment.

1. To deactivate/reactivate the rear HPS: Remove the left and right C-Pillar trim panels.

2. Remove the rear seat bottom, back and head rests.

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3. Remove the two trim plugs (2) on the rear parcel shelf (1). Repeat on the other side.

4. Remove the speaker grills (1) and the two Torx(r) screws (2). Repeat on the other side.

5. Remove the vents (1) on the left and right side parcel shelf (2). The gas generators (3) are located on each side of the C-pillar.

6. If the vehicle is equipped with a rear "sun shade", remove the 3 fasteners (accessible from inside the trunk) (1).

7. Remove the parcel shelf.

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8. Disconnect/Reconnect the Yellow connector (2) by pressing the tab as illustrated (arrow). Repeat on the other side.

9. Reinstall the parcel shelf, grills, rear seat, C-pillar trim, and reconnect the battery.

13. Coding: After the rear HPS has been disconnected (reconnected if

activating), the MRS must be recoded using the 5 digit Airbag Code obtained from BMWNA.

-- Connect DIS or MoDic to the vehicle and turn the ignition ON to the number 2 position (KL-R).

-- Select "Encoding ZCS" (Version C21.0 or higher.) Identify vehicle.

-- Select "Conversions."

-- Select "Airbag."

-- Select "1 Airbag components".

-- Select the action to be performed:

-- "1 Activation", or

-- "2 Deactivation".

-- Select "9 Head airbag, rear left"

-- Enter the "Airbag Code."

Select "Yes" to start automatic coding.

If coding is completed successfully, the message "Coding is completed" is displayed.

Note:

The Central Coding Key will be changed.

The same procedure has to be repeated for the right side rear HPS airbag:

-- Select "Encoding ZCS" (Version C21.0 or higher.)

-- Identify vehicle.

-- Select "Conversions."

-- Select "Airbag."

-- Select "1 Airbag components".

-- Select the action to be performed:

-- "1 Activation", or

-- "2 Deactivation".

-- Select "10 Head airbag, rear right"

-- Enter the "Airbag Code."

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-- Select "Yes" to start automatic coding.

If coding is completed successfully, the message "Coding is completed" is displayed.

Note:

The Central Coding Key will be changed.

14. After coding has been completed turn the ignition OFF for at least 10 seconds.

-- Turn the ignition ON to the number 2 position (KL-R).

-- Select "Diagnosis."

-- Select "Airbag" or "Restraint Systems/Airbag."

-- Expert Mode.

-- Select "Clear Fault Memory."

15. Remove the existing C pillar airbag warning labels and affix the new labels:

19. BMW center deactivated rear HPS and deactivated rear side door airbag:

Affix the warning labels "Warning: Rear Head Protection is Deactivated Rear Door Side Airbags are Deactivated" (5D92-132) and the yellow

"Side Airbag Deactivated" label (SD92-099 illustrated) to left and right C-pillars.

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20. Affix the clear warning label "Rear Door Side Airbag Deactivated"" (SD92-133) onto the left and right rear quarter windows.

21. BMW center activated rear HPS and activated rear side door airbag:

Affix the warning label (72 12 8 240 204) to left and right C- pillars.

22. For BMW center activated Rear HPS and Deactivated rear side door airbag, affix the warning label: "Warning Rear Door Side Airbags are

Deactivated Rear HPS is Activated" label(SD92-131) to the left and right C-pillars and warning label ".Warning Rear Door Side Airbag

Deactivated.

23. Affix the clear warning label "Rear Door Side Airbag Deactivated" (SD92-133) onto the left and right rear quarter windows.

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24. Affix the appropriate warning labels to the inside front cover of the Owner's Manual. Place the new label(s) directly over the existing rear

airbag labels:

25. For BMW center deactivation of rear HPS and rear side door airbag, affix the "Supplement to Owner's Manual Warning: Airbag(s) in this

vehicle have been deactivated" label (SD92-100) in the Owner's Handbook on the inside cover.

26. For BMW center activation of Rear HPS and rear side door airbag, affix the "Supplement to Owner's Manual Warning: Rear side airbags in

this vehicle have been activated" label (SD92-127) in the Owner's Handbook.

27. For BMW center activation of rear HPS and deactivation of rear side door airbag, affix the warning label: "Warning: Rear side airbags in this

vehicle have been Deactivated. Rear HPS is Activated" label (SD92-131) in the Owner's Handbook.

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Rear Airbag Deactivation/Reactivation Label Installation: for vehicles with rear side airbags (option 261)