[charliegreens]

Originally Posted by drdino

The connector and possibly the terminal for that circuit need replacing for sure. It doesn't really matter when they replace it, as long as they make sure they don't burn it again and charge you.

They then need to determine why it's burning out; something is obviously pulling too much current and overloading the circuit, perhaps right on the edge of blowing the fuse but not blowing it. A full short would 99% blow it straight away, these things are validated in the design phase of vehicles.

I'm gonna buy the parts. I'll just take it to my mechanic to have them installed instead of paying the dealership's absurd 160/hr rate for labour. The parts, per the service manager, are rather inexpensive—going to run me around 21 dollars CAD.

Other than that, I don't know what else I can do. To be clear, once they have everything in-place, they *might* be able to properly diagnose my issue?

[drdino]

Check the fuse first, just in case. You might want to fit a lower amp one temporarily, it's easier to replace fuses than connectors and limit the current you draw, for example heaters and moving the seat at the same time. After that, you guys need to find out what's burning it. If it's a frayed wire that occasionally shorts out it might take a bit of time to trace but it should be straightforward.

[charliegreens]

So, here's the update. These guys are taking forever down at BMW, they can't seem to figure out the problem.

They told me that they needed a new seat module in order to properly diagnose the issue. Fine, I bought a seat module and brought them the car for diagnostics. They call me back saying that they have the seat working, but that the driver restraint malfunction alert is still there and that they believe the 2 issues to be unrelated to each other.

I kindly disagreed with them. I let them know that the seat lost functionality only in conjunction with the restraint system alert, and only gained functionality in conjunction with the alert going away. They told me that they were unrelated, and that I'd need to pay for another diagnosis if I wanted to find out what the driver restraint system fault was from.

I told them that I was paying them to diagnose the issue, and that I shouldn't have to pay for another diagnostic due to their failed attempts at diagnosing the issue. They also told me that I'd have to pay 500-some dollars now instead of the initial agreed-upon 247.50 diagnostic fee because they had to install the seat module that I brought them. I only brought the module because they said they couldn't diagnose the problem without it??

I feel like this dealership service team and its foreman are borderline incompetent, and are just nickle and diming me now.

Also, I reminded them that, while they may have restored functionality in the seat, my mechanic managed to do that, too. However, after 2 days, the seat lost functionality and the restraint system alert returned. I told them that they have not solved my issue, and that they need to keep going because they haven't found the root of the problem, i.e., they haven't figured out what is causing the wire to burn out. If I take the car from them now, the module and everything are just going to burn out again after a few days—just like last time.

Does anyone have any insight they'd like to share? Or any tips on how I should deal with this problem that I'm having with the dealership?

Thanks for reading, and to all those who have contributed.

[Billfitz]

Don't thread bomb. Beside being rude no one who can help is likely to even see your post in a totally unrelated thread.

[charliegreens]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Don't thread bomb. Beside being rude no one who can help is likely to even see your post in a totally unrelated thread.

Thanks for that. I didn't wanna say anything but yeah, pretty annoying!

[AmeliaJLeonard]

I have a 2013 328i that the "driver restraint system malfunction" ("DRS") error just happened on my drive home (a whopping 7 miles). No prior problems.

While my DRS error was active, I lost ability to turn my sound system on or off. I could lower the volume from the steering wheel, but not the knob. I also had the cabin fan continue running after engine was shut off. We disconnected the battery and waited a bit. That shut the cabin fan off, but did not eliminate the DRS malfunction. I'm planning on taking it to the dealership tomorrow to find out what's up, but wanted to know what I could expect.

As a side note, I have some aftermarket TPM sensors on my snow tires which started glitching two days ago. I'll soon be switching over to my summer tires with the OEM TPMS, so wasn't too worried about that problem - yet. Now I wonder if the TPMS malfunction and DRS malfunction are related and an electrical issue. The TPMS malfunction also did not reset after pulling the battery.

[AmeliaJLeonard]

Originally Posted by AmeliaJLeonard

I have a 2013 328i that the "driver restraint system malfunction" ("DRS") error just happened on my drive home (a whopping 7 miles). No prior problems.

While my DRS error was active, I lost ability to turn my sound system on or off. I could lower the volume from the steering wheel, but not the knob. I also had the cabin fan continue running after engine was shut off. We disconnected the battery and waited a bit. That shut the cabin fan off, but did not eliminate the DRS malfunction. I'm planning on taking it to the dealership tomorrow to find out what's up, but wanted to know what I could expect.

As a side note, I have some aftermarket TPM sensors on my snow tires which started glitching two days ago. I'll soon be switching over to my summer tires with the OEM TPMS, so wasn't too worried about that problem - yet. Now I wonder if the TPMS malfunction and DRS malfunction are related and an electrical issue. The TPMS malfunction also did not reset after pulling the battery.

Turns out, the TPMS malfunction apparently really was connected. Per the dealership today, the RDC module was hijacking the sensors. A bit over $900 later, problem seems to be eliminated.

[Rehman36]

Any solutions to this issue?!

[ak_NorCal]

I got this exact same message on my F80 a few weeks ago and so far it's not clear to me what could cause this. It could have been Carly messing this up between my F80 and my F31, or a random error or a dead module. However, in my case, I can still move the seat. I have not checked the seat warmers as I never use them. I'll order a new module and will check connectors. I am the first owner of this car, and I know that no one messed with it like replacing a fuse with a larger current carrying one.

[Monepone]

I moved my seat in my F32 and shortly after, I got this message. I turned off the car 2 or 3 times and the driver restraint malfunction warning still came on. Then, I moved my seat back a bit and the malfunction disappeared. My E90 also had issues with the seat moving and fuse blowing for seat heater. This is bringing up bad memories of that issue.

[paco29toy]

Having the same issue when that bottom speaker is going loud or when someone is sitting.

Is it recommended to take the seat out to check all the wiring?

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by paco29toy

Is it recommended to take the seat out to check all the wiring?

If you do disconnect the battery negative terminal first, otherwise you'll set off more errors that will have to be cleared.

[MarkDa]

I have just started to have these problems, on my 2016 435d. Initially it said the seat back was not locked, it was! I managed to clear that erroneous fault message by moving the seat back and forwards. Last night I noticed that seat would not move, so drove home with the alarm binging all the way home. Now I am getting the Driver Restraint error, which I was getting with the seat back not locked error. I am beginning to worry about the electronics on these BMWs, I have had; AC failure, frozen pipes, water under the floor, not in the car another known issue, side camera failure warning another known issue, it works, front brakes going from 20,000 miles life to 600 in less than 5,000 miles. Having read other posts my seat back not locked fault could be a micro switch not being activated. Its booked in next week to my local garage for service and MOT, but I am expecting to take it to a BMW specialist. This car has had more faults in the last 12 months than my Merc has had in 4 years and about the same as my Porsche had in 15 years! Disappointed with BMW! If I get a resolution I will post.

[YASBBYM3]

Originally Posted by MarkDa

I have just started to have these problems, on my 2016 435d. Initially it said the seat back was not locked, it was! I managed to clear that erroneous fault message by moving the seat back and forwards. Last night I noticed that seat would not move, so drove home with the alarm binging all the way home. Now I am getting the Driver Restraint error, which I was getting with the seat back not locked error. I am beginning to worry about the electronics on these BMWs, I have had; AC failure, frozen pipes, water under the floor, not in the car another known issue, side camera failure warning another known issue, it works, front brakes going from 20,000 miles life to 600 in less than 5,000 miles. Having read other posts my seat back not locked fault could be a micro switch not being activated. Its booked in next week to my local garage for service and MOT, but I am expecting to take it to a BMW specialist. This car has had more faults in the last 12 months than my Merc has had in 4 years and about the same as my Porsche had in 15 years! Disappointed with BMW! If I get a resolution I will post.

I would say water under the floor is the root of all your electronic issues. 99% have not had the number of failures you have.