BMW 6 Series Airbag Light & Rollover Sensor Problems

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2009 BMW 3 series diesel (actually looked at the 6 series too before buying the 3). Let me tell you, I've got some experience working on cars, but this was definitely a workshop job. The symptoms were exactly like yours, airbag light on and issues with sensors. Had my trusted mechanic check it out and it turned out the control unit was toast. Cost me about 1000 Euro to fix, but it solved both the airbag warning and other sensor-related problems. Before I can give you more specific advice though, could you share: The exact engine variant? Current mileage? Any recent work done on the car? Are there any other warning lights? This info would help me figure out if you're dealing with the same issue I had.

Thanks for your detailed response! My 6er has 141736 KM on the clock, and just had its service last month. Mine's got the diesel engine. Had similar symptoms and got it checked out, turned out it wasn't just the control unit in my case. The rollover sensor itself was failing intermittently because of a loose connection. The repair itself wasn't too expensive since it just needed cleaning and properly securing the connector, plus a system reset. Much cheaper than replacing the whole unit! The warning lights cleared up right after. If you've got a good diagnostic tool, you might want to check for loose connections first before swapping parts. Hope this helps with your troubleshooting!

Ah I've got to jump back in here! Really interesting to hear about your fix with the loose connection. Actually, you've made me remember something about my 3er, before I went ahead and replaced the control unit, I did notice some weird intermittent behavior too. Looking back, I probably should've checked the connections more thoroughly first. The symptoms on my car were so similar, the airbag light would come on out of nowhere, and the sensor readings were all over the place. I ended up paying for a complete unit replacement when, who knows, maybe I could've gotten away with just sorting out the connections like you did. Did you notice if your warning lights were flickering at all before the fix? Mine would sometimes go off temporarily after a restart, which should've been a clue about loose connections. Kicking myself now for not investigating that angle first! This is really good info for other BMW owners dealing with similar issues. Start with the simple stuff first, check those connections before jumping straight to replacing expensive parts. Live and learn, right?

Thanks for sharing that! Yeah, my warning lights would actually flicker occasionally, especially after hitting bumps in the road. That's what made my mechanic suspect it might be connection-related in the first place. It's crazy how such a small issue can cause such annoying problems. Sorry you ended up replacing the whole unit, but hey, at least your car's rock solid now! These BMWs can be tricky with their electronics, but they're worth the hassle when everything's working right. Had the car for a week since the fix now, and it's running perfectly. The convertible top's working smoothly again too, which is a huge relief. Thinking about it, maybe we should start a thread specifically about BMW sensor issues, could help others save some money before jumping into expensive repairs.