Expert: Don Berlan - 2/10/2011

Question
Hi - I have a 2009 BMW 328i coupe and brought it into the dealership for an SRS warning light on the console. The indicator looks like a person in a seatbelt with the airbag deployed.  Turns out, the active headrests were somehow deployed causing the SRS indicator to go off.  Instead of resetting the console and clearing out the indicator lights, the dealership has told me the active headrests need to be replaced and then the SRS system can be reset.  I would think you would be able to reset the sensors/triggers for the active headrests, but apparently once the active headrests are deployed, they can't be reset back to their original position.  Is this correct?  Do they actually need to order new headrest and replace the headrest kit or can the headrests be reset and the SRS system reset along with it?  Thanks for the info!

Answer
To reset the SRS  light on a BMW the system needs to be repaired there isn't a reset mode.If the vehicle had been in an accident and the airbags deployed it may have caused issues with the headrest.If checking the codes it is listed as a fault it needs to be repaired before the light will shut off.