Air bags and indicator stalks and coded radio's.

[ss2115]

I'm retrofitting a full OBC to my 1993 E34.
I have the OBC and I've plugged it in and it all works except that my car has the incorrect coding plug - a new one is on its way.

I've also got coming the indicator stalk with the push-in button for the OBC to display on the dashboard.
So the first thing I'm worried about is how to remove the steering wheel and airbag safely so as to swap the indicator stalks over.
I've removed plenty of steering wheels - just not with airbags.

The second thing I'm worried about is that if I have to disconnect the battery (I'm assuming to deactivate the airbag system), then the radio might not work when the power is applied again.
Being a used car, I don't have a radio code for it.
Do I need one? I guess so because it has the blinking LED and it started beeping when I had it out to swap in the new OBC.

I also have read in the various instructions about the coding plug that the battery needs to be disconnected as well for this swap or the voltage spike might wipe the new plug.

I'd appreciate advice from anyone knowlegable in any or all of these situations. I'm a mechanic by trade, but retired before I started to have to deal with steering wheel airbags.

[repenttokyo]

Yes, you need the code if you are going to be disconnecting the battery for any lenght of time.

[ss2115]

Yes, you need the code if you are going to be disconnecting the battery for any lenght of time.

Do you mean that a short time will be okay, but a long time won't?
Or do you mean "any" length of time from 1 second>?

If there is a time frame within which you can disconnect and then reconnect without triggering the code requirement, does anyone know how long that is.
1 minute, 5 minutes, 1 hour?

[Bo525i]

You´ll need the code AFTER ANY LENGTH of time!!! See Repents reply and read it twice again! :)

[BMWDriver]

You absolutely have to make sure there is no power to the car when you remove the airbag. Same applies to the coding plug swap, for putting in the OBC, and also for removing the cluster. Electronics can be that sensitive.

There is a description for removing the steering wheel on BMWe34.net (http://www.bmwe34.net). If it's just to remove the instrument cluster, you may not need to if you have the extendable steering column option. Not easy though. Others suggested dropping the steering column entirely.

If you service the car at the same place as the P.O., preferably a BMW specialist, they might have the radio code in their files. I think others here are able to help nevertheless. But you definitely need that code.

[ss2115]

Okay - thanks BMWDriver. A lot more helpful answer than the previous one.

Can you (or anyone) tell me how many digits are in a typical radio code for the E34 radios.
I've found in the service book a 5 digit number written at the top of a page where the dealer stamp goes, and the same number again at the top of another page later on in the same booklet - same handwriting and same pen.

Its hard to read the scribble in front of the number, but it looks like R/O (definetly an "O" and not a "C").

Otherwise, can the dealer give the radio code from just the VIN number?

I found an article from a contributor to this forum - Bill R, and it describes removing the steering wheel on an E34. The photos show what he describes as a 525i but they are slightly different to my car. Close enough to follow though. The main problem seems to be not so much a fear of the airbag going off, but more of the warning light staying on and needing a reset tool. Still - don't like the idea of power being applied while working on an explosive device.

I'll need to remove power anyway to replace the coded plug as much as changing the stalk over.

[repenttokyo]

how was my answer not helpful?

[uscharalph]

You need to pull the radio to get the serial number on it to get the code from the dealer. Proof of ownership of the car is also needed.

[BMWDriver]

It's a five digit code. Chances are that it is your code scribled in.

Anything to do with the front seats, the OBC, the instrument cluster, steering wheel, and perhaps the entire cruise control system (not sure) including all three pedals, are subject to the SRS light going off. Yes, you read that right: the front seats. Removing them without pulling power will cause the dreaded SRS light.

Well, I beat you by two paragraphs repentokyo :D

[repenttokyo]

Well, I beat you by two paragraphs repentokyo :D

lol, it's all about quantity ;)

[ss2115]

how was my answer not helpful?

Hi repenttokyo.
No problem with your answer - it was bo525 after you.
"A length of time" often doesn't mean immediately - it can mean commencing after a short period.
I just wanted to clear that up in case I had a short time window that I may have been able to perform the task within.
Didn't need his smart arse answer is all.

[Bo525i]

Hi repenttokyo.
No problem with your answer - it was bo525 after you.
"A length of time" often doesn't mean immediately - it can mean commencing after a short period.
I just wanted to clear that up in case I had a short time window that I may have been able to perform the task within.
Didn't need his smart arse answer is all.

Wasn´t meant as a smartarse answer, I just tried emphasise Repents reply.. Hence the smiley! ;)

I can be touchy too when it comes to problems concerning my beemer.. :)
Hope you get it solved m8!

[ss2115]

Wasn´t meant as a smartarse answer, I just tried emphasise Repents reply.. Hence the smiley! ;)

I can be touchy too when it comes to problems concerning my beemer.. :)
Hope you get it solved m8!

Thank you Bo.
Like your Touring.
I too have purchased the clear front and side indicator lenses but haven't put them on yet. I have to replace a high beam headlamp thats got a big chip in it and I'm just waiting for the new one to arrive and then do everything together at the same time.

[ladiesman217]

why not just take the covers off and swap the stalk? no reason to do ANY major work at all. NO reason to unplug the battery for that or for the OBC.

[ss2115]

why not just take the covers off and swap the stalk? no reason to do ANY major work at all. NO reason to unplug the battery for that or for the OBC.

I must admit that I haven't examined the steering column covers to see it the job can be done without removing the wheel, but then I do have to remove the battery power to swap over the coding plug anyway.

Some articles say its possible to remove the instrument cluster without removing the steering wheel, but they admit its tricky and most prefer to take the steering wheel off - including the Bently Manual.

From what I've read, and with the difficulty and expense I've had to get the coding plug, its not worth the risk of a battery spike wiping the coding plugs program. One article decribes just this happening and he had to order another coding plug.