52 17 886 Replacing gas cartridge for crash-active headrest on left or right

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 50 other vehicles, including the 2016 BMW M5, 2016 BMW ActiveHybrid 5, 2016 BMW 550i xDrive, 2016 BMW 550i, and 2016 BMW 535i xDrive. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Read and comply with SAFETY REGULATIONS for handling airbag modules and pyrotechnical belt tensioners.
Incorrect handling may result in triggering of the crash-active headrest and thereby cause injury.

Switch off the ignition!

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Adjust head restraint towards top to maximum extent
Disconnect battery negative cable . See 61 20 900 DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY NEGATIVE LEAD or 61 20 900 DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY EARTH LEAD

IMPORTANT: Renewal of pyrotechnics may be carried out up to 5 times.
Triggering frequency is denoted on the sticker on the head restraint carrier.
Labels are available as spare parts.

Starting situation:

Head restraint is in the crash position after activation.

NOTE: Firing unit can only be removed in the triggered state.

The complete head restraint must be replaced in the event of a crash-active headrest fault message and non-activated igniter.

Fig 1: Identifying Activated Head Restraint

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removing cover:

Insert flat plastic wedge in marked area.

Unlock cover towards bottom and simultaneously press towards rear.

Repeat procedure on other side.

Fig 2: Removing Head Restraint Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Press cover towards top to unlock latch mechanism in marked area.

Simultaneously pull cover towards rear.

Fig 3: Pressing Cover Towards Top To Latch Mechanism In Marked Area

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Put down cover towards rear.

Fig 4: Removing Down Cover Towards Rear

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removing pyrotechnics:

Press together mounting (1) for pyrotechnics at tabs.

Feed out pyrotechnics.

Fig 5: Pressing Pyrotechnical Device Bracket Tabs

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removing pyroactivator:

Pull pyroactivator (2) out of mount (1) for pyrotechnics.

Unlock PLUG CONNECTION (3) and disconnect.

IMPORTANT: Dispose of plastic element and pyroactivator.

Fig 6: Identifying Pyroactivator, Mount And Plug Connection

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Procedure for installing pyrotechnics:

Bringing head restraint together (multifunction seat):

Pull apart spring catches and push together head restraint.

Maintain position.

Fig 7: Pushing Head Restraint

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Locking release plate:

Hold pushed-together head restraint in position and push release plate (1) upwards up to limit position.

Release plate (1) must audibly snap into place.

Fig 8: Pushing Release Plate

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fig 9: Locating Head Restraint Lock

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Checking head restraint lock:

Check end position of release plate (1).

All four springs (2) must be engaged.

Replacing pyrotechnics:

Connect connector (1) to new pyroactivator (2) and LOCK .

Clip pyroactivator (2) into new mount (3).

Fig 10: Identifying Pyroactivator, Connector And Mount

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installing pyrotechnics:

Press together mounting for pyrotechnics at tabs.

Insert mounting for pyrotechnics into release plate and tilt in upward direction.

Mounting for pyrotechnics must audibly snap into place.

NOTE: Check seating of retaining lugs in mounting.

Fig 11: Installing Pyrotechnical Device

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Laying wiring harness:

Secure wiring harness in support section with strain relief.

Fig 12: Secure Wiring Harness In Carrier Section With Strain Relief

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Mounting cover:

Clip cover onto support section.

Cover must audibly snap into place.

Fig 13: Clipping Cover Onto Carrier Section

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING: Read and comply with SAFETY REGULATIONS for handling airbag modules and pyrotechnical belt pretensioners.
Incorrect handling may result in triggering of the crash-active headrest and thereby cause injury.

Switch off the ignition!

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Adjust head restraint towards top to maximum extent
Disconnect battery negative cable . See 61 20 900 DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY NEGATIVE LEAD or 61 20 900 DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY EARTH LEAD
M5 only:
Remove CRASH-ACTIVE HEADREST

IMPORTANT: Renewal of pyrotechnics may be carried out up to 5 times.
Triggering frequency is denoted on the sticker on the head restraint carrier.
Labels are available as spare parts.

Starting situation:

Head restraint is in the crash position after activation.

NOTE: Firing unit can only be removed in the triggered state.

The complete head restraint must be replaced in the event of a crash-active headrest fault message and non-activated igniter.

Fig 1: Identifying Activated Head Restraint

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removing cover:

Insert flat plastic wedge in marked area.

Unlock cover towards bottom and simultaneously press towards rear.

Repeat procedure on other side.

Fig 2: Removing Head Restraint Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Press cover towards top to unlock latch mechanism in marked area.

Simultaneously pull cover towards rear.

Fig 3: Pressing Cover Towards Top To Latch Mechanism In Marked Area

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Put down cover towards rear.

Fig 4: Removing Down Cover Towards Rear

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removing pyrotechnics:

Press together mounting (1) for pyrotechnics at tabs.

Feed out pyrotechnics.

Fig 5: Pressing Pyrotechnical Device Bracket Tabs

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removing pyroactivator:

Pull pyroactivator (2) out of mount (1) for pyrotechnics.

Unlock PLUG CONNECTION (3) and disconnect.

IMPORTANT: Dispose of plastic element and pyroactivator.

Fig 6: Identifying Pyroactivator, Mount And Plug Connection

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Procedure for installing pyrotechnics:

Bringing head restraint together (multifunction seat):

Pull apart spring catches and push together head restraint.

Maintain position.

Fig 7: Pushing Head Restraint

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Locking release plate:

Hold pushed-together head restraint in position and push release plate (1) upwards up to limit position.

Release plate (1) must audibly snap into place.

Fig 8: Pushing Release Plate

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fig 9: Locating Head Restraint Lock

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Checking head restraint lock:

Check end position of release plate (1).

All four springs (2) must be engaged.

Replacing pyrotechnics:

Connect connector (1) to new pyroactivator (2) and LOCK .

Clip pyroactivator (2) into new mount (3).

Fig 10: Identifying Pyroactivator, Connector And Mount

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installing pyrotechnics:

Press together mounting for pyrotechnics at tabs.

Insert mounting for pyrotechnics into release plate and tilt in upward direction.

Mounting for pyrotechnics must audibly snap into place.

NOTE: Check seating of retaining lugs in mounting.

Fig 11: Installing Pyrotechnical Device

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Laying wiring harness:

Secure wiring harness in support section with strain relief.

Fig 12: Secure Wiring Harness In Carrier Section With Strain Relief

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Mounting cover:

Clip cover onto support section.

Cover must audibly snap into place.

Fig 13: Clipping Cover Onto Carrier Section

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.