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721 -3
Airbag System (SRS)
MRS Ill adds the following features:
MRS
Ill employs "smart" technology. Smart technology re-
fers to the control module's programming for the deploy-
ment of the airbags, in stages depending on the severity of
the impact.
Two-stage a~rbag for ooln drver and passenger Alloivs for
a softer
c~snioning elfecl when the airbags are lr ggered at
lighter impact,
MRS
Ill satellite sensors use 2 wire connectors
Rear side
airbags arrive de-activated from the factory and
can only be activated upon written request from the cus-
tomer.
Rear seat head protection is available when ordered with
optional rear seat side airbags.
E39 Airbags
Driver airbag
Passenger airbag
Head Protection System (HPS)
Inflatable Tubular Structure
(ITS) (MRS
II and MRS Ill)
Front side impact airbag
Rear door side impact airbag
(optional) (MRS I1 and MRS Ill)

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I Airbag System (SRS)
Two-stage airbag (MRS Ill)
Beginning with 2000 model year (911 999 production) the front
airbags were changed to a two-stage style airbag. This en-
sures that the force of
airbag inflation is not greater than nec-
essary to provide
protection. The airbags are designed to
Drovide "soit" de~lovment if the acceleration sensor detects a
iow-speed impact, and "hard deployment in higher speed im-
pacts.
NOTE-
A two-stage passenger airbag was used on cars built be-
tween
9/1998 and 3/1999. This pre-smart technology airbag
used two ignition stages. Stage one is designed to ignite first
during an impact. Stage two ignites after a timed period, as
programmed in the MRS
I1 control module.
Airbag indicator light
The MRS control module detects and stores system status
The
airbag indicator light in the instrument cluster displays
the status of the
airbag system when the ignition key is in "ac-
cessory" or
ON positions.
System normal: lndicator light comes on briefly, then goes
out.
- System malfunction: lndicator light fails to come on.
System malfunction: lndicator light comes on briefly, goes
out and lights up again.
The
airbag indicator light also comes on if the seat belt pyro-
technic tensioners have been triggered.

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Airbag System (SRS)~
Warnings
When servicing airbag equipped cars, the following precau-
tions must be
observed to prevent personal injury.
WARNING-
. If the airbag indicator light is on, there is a risk that the air-
bags will not be triggered in case of an accident Be sure
to have the system inspected and repaired immediately
Airbag(s) are inflated by an explosive device. Handled
improperly or witliout adequate safeguards, the system
can be very dangerous. Special precautions must be
observed prior to any work at or near the airbags.
0 The airbag is a vehicle safety system. Serious injury
may result if system service is attempted by persons
unfamiliar with the BMW
MRS and its approved service
procedures. BMW advises that all inspection and ser-
vice be performed by an authorized BMW dealer.
Always disconnect the battery and cover the negative
(-) battery terminal with an insulator before starting di-
agnostic, troubleshooting or service
work not associat-
ed
with the airbags, and before doing any welding on
the car.
0 After disconnecting the battery, wait 5 seconds before
beginning work on
airbag components.
* If an airbag has been activated due to an accident,
BMW specifies that
airbag components be replaced.
For more information on post-collision
airbag service,
see an authorized BMW dealer.
Do not fire an
airbag unit prior to disposal. It must be
fired by a special disposal company or shipped back to
BMW in the packaging of the new components.
When removing a fired
airbag unit, avoid contact with
the
skin; weargloves. In case ofskin contact, wash with
water.
Do not allow
airbag system components to come in
contact with cleaning solutions or grease. Never sub-
ject
airbag components to temperatures above 167°F
(75°C). When reconnecting the battery, no person
should be inside the vehicle.
Always place an
airbag unit that has been removed
from its
packaging with the paddedside facing upward.
Do not leave an
airbag unit unattended.
0 If the airbag unit or airbag control module has been
dropped from a height of
'/? meter (I//: ft.) or more, the
airbag unit should not be installed.

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721-6
I Airbag System (SRS)
MRS
The MRS control module contains the electronic crash sensor
for frontal impact. Sensors mounted on the driver and
pas-
sengerfloor are used for side impacts. The MRS control mod-
ule
is located between the front seat under the center
console.
MRS airbag system
diagram
1. Driver's side airbag
2. Passenger's side airbag
3. Right side impact sensor
4. Seat occupancy sensor pad
5. Right side impact airbag
6. SBE control module (analog to
digital converter)
7. Passenger pyrotechnic seat belt
tensioner and seat belt
mi-
croswitch (Hall sensor MRS Ill)
8. MRS control module
9. Driver pyrotechnic seat belt ten-
sioner and seat belt microswitch
(Hall sensor MRS
Ill)
10. Left side impact airbag
11. Left side impact sensor

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Airbag System (SRS)~
MRS control module, replacing
- Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery and cover nega-
tive terminal with insulating material.
CAUTIOI\C
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery discon-
nection cautionsgiven in001 General Warnings and
Cau-
tions.
- Remove center console between front seats. See 513 lnteri-
or Trim.
Remove module mounting nuts (arrows) and lift up control
module. Disconnect electrical harness connector.
Installation is reverse of removal.
Be sure that MRS control module ground cable is attached
to the module mounting stud.
Side-impact crash sensor, removing and
installing
- Make sure ignition key is OFF.
- Remove front seat. See 520 Seats.
Remove plastic door sill trim by lifting to release clips at one
end, then sliding off. Fold up carpet towards rear seat floor. If
necessary, remove floor level heater duct.

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OBD On-Board Diagnostics
I I
General ........................... OBD-1 Diaqnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) . . OBD-9
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD I!) ..... OBD-I
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
........ OBD-2
Scan tools and scan tool display.
........ OBD-3
Diagnostic monitors
.................. OED-4
Drive cycle
......................... OED-6
Readiness codes
.................... OBD-6
Diagnostic trouble codes
(DTCs) ........ OBD-7
-
Automatic transmission diagnostic
trouble codes
....................... OBD-9
Engine diagnostic trouble
codes: M52 engine.
................. OED-13
Engine diagnostic trouble
codes: M54 engine.
................. OBD-17
Engine diagnostic trouble
codes: M62 engine.
................. OBD-24
This chapter outlines the fundamentals and equipment
requirements of On-Board Diagnostics
I1 (OBD 11) standards
as they apply to BMW vehicles. Also covered here is a listing
of BMW and OBD
I1 diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).
ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTICS (QBD !I)
OBD II standards were developed by the SAE (Society of
Automotive Engineers) and CARB (California Air Resources
Board).
OED I1 is the second generation of on-board self-
diagnostic equipment requirements. These standards were
originally mandated for California vehicles. Since
1996 they
have been applied
toall passengervehicles sold in the United
States.
On-board diagnostic capabilities are incorporated into the
hardware and soflwareof the enginecontrol module
(ECM) to
monitor virtually every component that can affect vehicle
emissions. The
OED I1 system works to ensure that
emissions remain as clean as possible over the life of the
vehicle.
Each emission-influencing component is checked by a
diagnostic routine (called a monitor) to verify that it is
functioning properly.
If a problem or malfunction is detected,
the
diagnostic executive built into the OBD I1 system
illuminates a malfunction indicator light (MIL) on the
instrument panel.
The OBD
I1 system also stores diagnostic trouble codes
(DTCs) about the detected malfunction in the ECM so that a
repair technician can accurately find and fix the problem.

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OED-2
On-Board Diagnostics
Specialized OED II scan tool equipment is needed to access
the fault memory and
OED I1 data.
The extra hardware needed to operate the OED
I1 system
consists mainly of the following:
* Additional oxygen sensors downstream of the catalytic
converters.
Fuel tank pressure sensor and device to pressurize
fuel
storage system.
Several engine and performance monitoring devices
Standardized 16-pin
OED II connector under the
dashboard.
Upgraded components for the federally required reliability
mandate.
Malfunction indicator light (MIL)
OED II software illuminates the malfunction indicator light
(MIL) when emission levels exceed 1.5 times Federal
standards.
4 For E34 cars covered by this manual, three different MIL
symbols were used, depending on year and model.
MIL illuminates under the following conditions:
Engine management system fault detected for
two
consecutive OED iI drive cycles. See Drive cycle in this
repair group.
- Catalyst damaging fault detected.
Component malfunction causes emissions to exceed 1.5
times OED
II standards.
Manufacturer-defined specifications exceeded. Implausible input signal.
Misfire
faults.
Leak in evaporative system,
Oxygen sensors observe no purge
flow from purge valve 1
evaporative system.
ECM fails to enter closed-loop operation within specified
time.
ECM or automatic transmission control
module (TCM) in
"limp home" mode.
ignition key ON before cranking (bulb
check function).
OED
II fault memory (including the MIL) can only be reset
using a special scan tool. Removing the connector from the
ECM or disconnecting the battery does not erase the fault
memory.

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- -
On-Board Diagnostics
Professional diagnostic scan tools available atthe time of this
printing include the BMW factory tools
(DISplus, GTI,
MoDiC) and a small number of aftermarket BMW-specific
tools. See
020 Maintenance.
In addition to the professional line of scan tools, inexpensive
generic OBD
II scan tool software programs and handheld
units are readily available. Though limited, they are
nonetheless powerful diagnostic tools. These tools read live
data streams and freeze frame data as well as a host of other
valuable diagnostic data.
Diagnostic monitors
Diagnostic monitors run tests and checks on specific
emission control systems, components, and functions.
A complete drive cycle is requiredforthe tests to bevalid. See
Drive cycle in this repair group. The diagnostic monitor
signals the
ECM of the loss or impairment of the signal or
component and determines if a signal or sensor is faulty
based on
3 conditions:
* Signal or component shorted to ground
Signal or component shorted to
B+
Signal or component missing (open circuit)
The OBD
II system monitors all emission control systems that
are installed. Emission control systems vary by vehicle model
and year. For example, a vehicle may not be equipped with
secondary air injection, so no secondary air readiness code
would be present.
OBD
II software monitors the following:
Oxygen sensors
Catalysts
Engine misfire
- Fuel tank evaporative control system
Secondary air injection Fuel system
Oxygen sensor monitoring. When driving conditions allow,
response rate and switching time of each oxygen sensor is
monitored. The oxygen sensor heater function is also
monitored. The OBD
II system differentiates between
precataylst and post-catalyst oxygen sensors and reads each
one individually. In order
forthe oxygen sensor to be
effectively monitored, the system must be in closed loop
operation.