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32 34... Notes on scrapping BMW vehicles with gas generators (airbag system)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 BMW X5, 2005 BMW X5, and 2004 BMW X5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The gas generator is a pyrotechnical component of:

Series 3: E30, E36, Z3, E46

Series 5: E28, E34, E39

Series 6: E24

Series 7: E23, E32, E38

Series 8: E31

Z8: E52

X5: E53

Gas generators that have not fired constitute a hazard (also to the environment)! 

In accordance with accident prevention regulations and specific national regulations, gas generators must be rendered unusable before they are scrapped. This is necessary because pyrotechnical objects can cause injury if improperly activated (e.g. scrapping with flame cutters).

With above-mentioned vehicles which are scheduled for scrapping, it is always essential prior to draining and further stripping work to ensure that all the gas generators in the vehicle are fired. The fired gas generators can then be scrapped together with the vehicle.

Firing failure 

If correct firing is not possible, the relevant components must (while observing the safety regulations for handling airbag system components) be removed and disposed of by special disposal companies!

If a firing operation has failed:

  1. Disconnect the firing device from the battery and
  2. only approach the vehicle after a few minutes have elapsed

The components of an airbag system must always be disposed of. Such components must not be sold on as used parts. 

Firing 

Firing of the gas generators may only be carried out by expert personnel and under the supervision of a responsible person. Other standard accident prevention regulations (safety goggles, ear defenders etc.) must also be observed.

The gas generators must be fired from the outside in the vehicle scheduled for scrapping with the doors closed but with the tailgate, door windows and sunroof open. To fire the gas generators, use the BMW-developed firing device with the corresponding cables.

WARNING: Once gas generators have been fired, observe a ventilation period of 10 minutes with the doors opened. Only then is it permitted to continue work inside the vehicle.
Wear protective goggles and protective gloves when handling a fired gas generator!
The burning of solid fuel will heat up the airbag unit- danger of burns!
Wash skin with water after contact with fired gas generators!
  1. Driver's airbag up to model year 94 
    1. 1.1. Remove the lower section of the steering column paneling and separate the plug connection (orange) from the airbag unit.
    2. 1.2 Connect the firing device 62 1 270 to the connector; if necessary, in conjunction with cable 62 1 280 or 62 1 233.
    3. 1.3 Maintain a distance to the vehicle in line with the ignition cable length (at least 10 m).

      Always stand behind the vehicle (also applicable to other persons).

    4. 1.4 Connect the firing device to a 12 V battery.
    5. 1.5 Press switch on firing device- airbag fires. If no firing takes place, refer to Firing failure.
  2. Driver's airbag with warning lamp integrated in steering wheel 
    1. 2.1 Remove the airbag unit from the steering wheel. Comply with safety regulations for handling airbag system components.
    2. 2.2. Pull connector off airbag unit. Cut off the cable with the detached connector at the outlet from the steering wheel (cable length remaining on connector approx. 20 cm) and strip insulation at both cable ends. Reconnect the connector to the airbag unit.
    3. 2.3 Re-install airbag unit, whereby both wire ends must lie outside the steering wheel. Caution! An airbag unit that is not fastened in accordance with regulations can lead to injury when fired.
    4. 2.4 Connect cable 62 1 320 to cable ends and firing device 62 1 270.
    5. 2.5 Maintain a distance to the vehicle in line with the ignition cable length (at least 10 m).

      Always stand behind the vehicle (also applicable to other persons).

    6. 2.6 Connect the firing device to a 12 V battery.
    7. 2.7 Press switch on firing device- airbag fires. If no firing takes place, refer to Firing failure.
  3. Belt tensioner E32, E34 up to model year 93 
    1. 3.1 Insert the belt tongue into the belt buckle. If this is no longer possible, the belt tongue must be pushed up to the hole in the B-pillar.
    2. 3.2 Mark the webbing with a chalk mark at the outlet of the B-pillar so that the belt tension can be checked after firing has taken place.
    3. 3.3 Disconnect the plug connection to the belt tensioner at the airbag control unit. Installation location of the airbag control unit: left side under the instrument panel.
    4. 3.4 Connect the firing device 62 1 270 to the connector using cable 62 1 280.
    5. 3.5 Maintain a distance to the vehicle in line with the ignition cable length (at least 10 m).

      Always stand behind the vehicle (also applicable to other persons).

    6. 3.6 Connect the firing device to a 12 V battery.
    7. 3.7 Press the switch of the firing device- belt tensioner fires.

      If no firing takes place, refer to Firing failure.

  4. Passenger airbag E32 
    1. 4.1 Disconnect both plug connections to the passenger airbag on the airbag control unit. Installation location of the airbag control unit: left side under the instrument panel.
    2. 4.2 Connect the firing device 62 1 270 to the connector using cable 62 1 280.
    3. 4.3 Maintain a distance to the vehicle in line with the ignition cable length (at least 10 m).
    4. 4.4. Connect the firing device to a 12 V battery.
    5. 4.4. Connect the firing device to a 12 V battery.
    6. 4.5 Press switch on firing device- first airbag fires. If no firing takes place, refer to Firing failure.
    7. 4.6 Connect the firing device to the second connector.
    8. 4.7 Maintain a distance to the vehicle in line with the ignition cable length (at least 10 m). Always stand behind the vehicle (also applicable to other persons).
    9. 4.8 Press switch on firing device- second airbag fires. If no firing takes place, refer to Firing failure.
  5. Vehicles from model year 94 (all airbags, belt tensioner, safety battery terminal) 
    1. 5.1 Remove connector from airbag control unit. Installation location of the airbag control unit:
      • E36, E34 under rear seat
      • E31, E38, E39, Z3, E46, E53 under center console
      • Z8 under panel in area of handbrake lever
    2. 5.2 Connect firing device 62 1 270 in combination with cable 62 1 210 to 30-pin plug or with cable 62 1 310 or 62 1 330 (according to plug coding) to 50-pin plug.
    3. 5.3 Maintain a distance to the vehicle in line with the ignition cable length (at least 10 m). Always stand behind the vehicle (also applicable to other persons).
    4. 5.4 Connect the firing device to a 12 V battery.
    5. 5.5 Press firing device switch- gas generators fire.
    6. 5.6 If cable 62 1 310 / 62 1 330 (50-pin connector) has been used, only the gas generators on one vehicle side are fired. If no firing takes place, refer to Firing failure.
    7. 5.7 Disconnect firing device from battery.
    8. 5.8 Connect firing device to free connector.
    9. 5.9 Maintain a distance to the vehicle in line with the ignition cable length (10 m distance to vehicle). Always stand behind the vehicle (also applicable to other persons).
    10. 5.10 Connect the firing device to the battery.
    11. 5.11 Press firing device switch- gas generators on the other side of the vehicle fire. If no firing takes place, refer to Firing failure.
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