Battery was definitely NOT reconnected at all until everything was completed so that can't be the problem.
Asked a BMW dealer about changing to an M Sport wheel and they said use the original ecu with a new airbag but it will need re-coding.
Mine is a July 2004 E61 - what was your one?

 

Did similar mod from std hexagon airbag to round airbag except the steering is not M5 just SMG and all good w/ no re-encoding.

 

Hi smarty,
It would be nice if you purchase the kit from me and I'd gladly provide full support rather than getting my instruction VCD from somewhere else and request for support
Anyhow, no coding is needed. I highly recommend using your old ECU.

I'd suggest you contact Hobi's for support. Peter530i or Iceman might have his contact info.

My kit is simple plug-n-play and none of buyers complain after installation since I provide full support and until successful installation although I provided all needed instructions.

I believe these guys are super-expert: www.mrpaddleshift.com

Check it out ;-)

 

I was about to say that is sounded strange that Hobi would provide a DVD that Fred made months after Hobi disappeared.

 

What's the story with Hobi nowadays ?

 

Fred,
Thanks for that. I'll see if those guys can help as well.
I purchased the wheel etc second hand as a complete package. It came with your very helpful installation VCD, which I believe was purchased directly from you by the original owner.
I'm not trying to get support for the kit just some help with what ECU and multi function wiring people have used in addition to the kit so that I know what to do. I believe I'm right in thinking neither your kit or Hobi's actually changes any of the airbag wiring so my question applies regardless of the kit. The airbag plugs directly into the wheel ecu. As far as I can tell, I have done the right thing in that I used my original ECU and the multi function wiring from my old wheel (with just the 2 multi function switch connectors attached). I then plugged the new airbag into my old ecu (in the new M5 wheel). However, this caused a "Restraint system failure" message - does that just mean it needs re-coding despite the fact that no-one else appears to have needed it re-coding? i.e. would re-coding clear this message? If that's the case then fine.
From what my local dealer said re changing wheel/airbag and keeping the original ecu he would have to re-code the airbag. This seems like it might be the case but strangely no-one else has had to re-code their airbag. I'm just really confused. Could the restraint system failure mean something else has actually failed rather than it being a coding issue? Is a trip to the dealer the only way to find out what caused the error message?

Once again thanks for all your help

 

Just to reiterate, the paddles work and all the multi function buttons work so the kit is fine. It's just the airbag.

 

Anyone else any ideas why I might have got the airbag error?

 

Just a quick update on my airbag problem, in case anyone is interested or gets a similar fault.
Took it to the dealer to get the fault cleared and checked. Turns out it's the battery - it was only 43% charged so it had shut down systems it didn't need. Guess it decided I didn't need the airbags or seat belt pre-tensioners!

Only problem now is to find out why it was so low. They fully charged it then tested the charging system, looked for any undue discharging and checked to see it was holding charge (all in one afternoon). They couldn't find anything (surprise) but I told them to keep it over night.
Surprise, surprise I got a call this morning to say there's definitely something not right and they need to run more tests.

Anyway, at least it was nothing to do with the paddle shift/changing the airbag. Might just have caused the fault to register I guess when it booted up again.

 

I had a similar problem, every now and then my idrive would tell me i have Electronic Failiure or ABS Failiure or Transmission Error, found out it was the battery controller detecting a weak battery and shutting off applications randomly for a few seconds........ My battery is giving out not enough juice and is due for change...i am changing it next week...


Saad