2000 BMW 328i (E46) Technical Service Bulletin # 720302 Date: 021101
Recall - Air Bag Control Unit Recoding
SI B72 03 02
Safety Restraint Systems
November 2002
Service Engineering
This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B72 03 02 dated October 2002.
PERFORM THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS SERVICE INFORMATION ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE CUSTOMER
DELIVERY OR THE NEXT TIME THEY ARE IN THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS.
Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, as amended, if there has been a recall campaign, dealers must assure that all new
vehicles and new items of replacement equipment are free of safety defects and comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
at the time of delivery to the consumer. This means that dealers may not deliver new motor vehicles or new items of replacement equipment to
consumers unless the safety defect or noncompliance has been remedied before delivery.
[NEW] designates changes to this revision
SUBJECT
Recall Campaign 02V-223: Recode Airbag Control Unit
[NEW] Model
E46 (3 Series) 323i and 328i
SITUATION
The software in the airbag control unit may not always reliably distinguish between accident situations and driving over deep potholes or contacting
curbs at excessive speeds. Thus, in exceptional cases, the side airbag system may trigger unexpectedly. Tire pressures that are too low will increase
the likelihood of the occurrence of this fault.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
[NEW] This Recall Campaign involves certain 1999 and 2000 Model Year E46 (3 Series) vehicles which were produced from April 8, 1999 to
August 31, 1999.
In order to determine if a specific vehicle is affected by this Recall Campaign, it will be necessary to utilize the "Service Menu" of the DCS (Dealer
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Communication System). Based on the response of the system, either proceed with the corrective action or take no further action.
The Chassis Number Ranges listed are only for informational purposes and are not to be considered as the only deciding factor.
PROCEDURE
Recode the airbag control unit using DISPlus/GT1 loaded with DIS CD V31.0 "1st update", or later.
To check the version loaded in DISPlus/GT1, from the DIS "Start" screen, press "Diagnosis", press "Services" and press "Version". The appearing
screen has to show "Codierung C 31.1" or later.
1. Connect the DISPlus/GT1.
2. Switch on the ignition.
3. Select "ZCS/FA CODING".
4. Select "B46 Series
5. Select "Recoding".
Note:
In a few isolated cases, it is possible that the diagnosis system is unable to read off the vehicle identification number from the instrument cluster.
This will cause the fault warning "Coding data incomplete or faulty. CoapiRead FGNr Error code: 2062". In such cases, perform a battery reset,
then restart the coding process.
6. Select "Airbag".
7. Select "Code airbag control unit" and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the coding process.
LABEL INSTRUCTIONS
This Service Action has been assigned code number 342. Afier the vehicle has been checked, and corrected if necessary, obtain a label (SD 92-205)
and:
a. emboss your BMW dealer warranty number in the middle of the label (1);
b. punch out code number 342 printed on the label
and,
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c. affix the label to the B pillar as shown.
If the vehicle already has a label from a previous Service Action/Recall Campaign, affix the new label next to the old one. Do not affix one label on
top of another one because a number from an underlying label could appear in the punched-out hole of the new label.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Reimbursement for this Recall will be via Campaign Entry.
