Things happening in my Mini...

[Silver_Phoenix]

Ok, so Easter Sunday I went to go see family; when I was leaving I started my car and the airbag light came on. You know, the one where it has a figure sitting in the seat buckled in with the bag deployed in front of his face... yeah, that one.

I thought it was some sort of "fluke" so I turned the car off, waited a few minutes and started up again. The light is (to this day) still on when my car is on.

What could cause this? Considering I havent had any impact whatsoever to my car and have done nothing for the light to come on.

Also...

I got in my car the other day at work, started it up and the car seemed to bog down, and spit and sputter for a few seconds. The EML light came on, along with the service engine soon light, but after a few seconds they went off (almost instantly after they came on, they went off).

And...

My steering wheel is popping when I turn it at low speeds, my sunroof rattles and it sounds like there is a piece of styrofoam stuck under my passenger seat because I hear "squeaking" when I go down the road unless someone is sitting in the passenger seat. (there isnt any styrofoam in my car)

What is causing these things to happen? I need to take my car in to Dan to get the oil changed, but I think he is on vacation this weekend (friday through Tuesday I think he said).

Just wanted to see if anyone had any input and see if anyone else has experienced these things before....

*help!*

Becky

[HotRodPilot]

Do you have anything heavy in the passenger seat? If so, that's what is setting off your airbag light. Well, at least that's the way it is in the '05s and '06s, maybe someone with an older MY car can pipe up....


I'm sorry, but I can't help with the other things

[HPUdrew]

I'm not sure why any of those would be happening really. Best bet is to have Dan check it over real well and see what might be wrong. All of the problems seem random, but they may actually be related to one another... Best of luck!

Drew

[Silver_Phoenix]

Nope nothing sits in the passenger seat except for -on occasions- my pocketbook.

I dont know... we'll get it figured out. Dan just sent me an email letting me know that his plans had changed and that he would be in tommorow... So looks like I'll be going to Grassroots tommorow....

[MINI Rog]

I'm not sure about yours, but in the '06 a pocket book on the passenger seat will light up the air bag light. Check your gas cap for the EML problem, sometimes the rubber strap that is attached to the cap can get between the cap and the filler (always make sure your cap is tight).

[simplygriff]

Yup pocket book is definately heavy enough to set off the light. Mine actually goes off from time to time with someone in the seat. I'm gonna get that looked at soon.

The sputtering could be the normal startup bog coupled with having the AC on. Mine sometimes nearly cuts off if I start it up with the AC on. Easy solution, turn off the AC at start up.

My sunroof rattles some with bumps but not otherwise so you might wanna have that looked at.

And the squeaking... who knows.
-G

[TWISTER]

She has an '02 which does NOT have a passenger seat sensor so that is not the issue with the air bag light. It has to be something else

[onefastmini]

Turned out to be a wiring or connection fault to the drivers seat (side) airbag. I checked the connector and cleared the fault. There is a bulletin on this, the wiring gets replaced between the airbag and the control module, but I like to wiggle wires, unplug and reconnect the connectors, clear the fault and see if it comes back first.
--Dan

[Silver_Phoenix]

Yeah....

Thanks Dan for doing all that you do! Your services are great! Just keep the cattle prod handy around Andrew.... you might need it :D (just kidding).

So far, the light has not come back on for the airbag lights. Car seems to be running like a charm (considering the risk that someone at my workplace would put something in the gas tank).

If I have any problems arise (which I pray that I dont), I'll be in contact!

~becky~

[simplygriff]

Just lock your doors and it locks your gas tank. :D
-G

[Silver_Phoenix]

Just lock your doors and it locks your gas tank. :D
-G


You know... I didnt know about that feature until you said something about it....

My car has a refrigerated glove box, locking gas tank door.... What else is there that I need to know about my 02? Lol I love finding out new things about my car!