BMW 3 (E46). Manual — part 301

strap.

Install left belt lock strap
underneath center lap belt strap.

Metal strap ends must rest against
stop on floor underneath seat.

Rear seat belts (Convertible
models)

-

Access shoulder belt or seat belt
lock mounting bolts:

Remove center armrest.

Push shoulder belts toward sides
and feed out of top guides.

Lift seat cushion up and forward to
remove.

Remove lower backrest securing
screws located below backrest. Lift
backrest straight up and unhook
from tabs in back.

Remove rear head restraints by
pulling straight up.

Remove cover of rollover protection
bars for right and left side.

Open convertible top compartment
cover.

-

Shoulder belt reels are bolted to
convertible top storage
compartment.

The accompanying illustration provides
information on rear seat belt component
locations and fastener torques.

1 - Bolt M10 -tighten to 31 Nm (23 ft-lb)

2 - Left shoulder belt reel assembly.

3 - Seat belt stop button

4 - Left belt lock

5 - Bolt M12 -tighten to 31 Nm (23 ft-lb)

721-1

General

This repair group covers airbag
components. Airbag system repair and
fault diagnosis is not covered here.
Diagnostics, component testing, and
airbag system repair should be carried
out by trained BMW service
technicians.

Note:

Airbags are also known as the
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS). In the E46 cars the
occupant safety system is called
the Multiple Restraint System
(MRS).

Special test equipment is required
to retrieve airbag fault codes,
diagnose system faults, and
reset/turn off the airbag indicator
light. The indicator light will remain
on until any problem has been
corrected and the fault memory
has been cleared.

Individual airbag system components
can only be tested electronically when
installed in the car. BMW service
testers DIS or MoDiC or equivalent
must be used for diagnostic work.

Special tools

Most airbag system repairs can be
performed with normal shop tools. Use
BMW special tool 00 9 321 or
equivalent plastic prying tool to pry out
plastic interior parts without damage or
marring.

Plastic prying tool BMW 00 9 321

Airbag system

The E46 airbag system consists of the
following:

Driver airbag in the center of the
steering wheel hub

Passenger airbag in the right side
of the dashboard

Front side-impact airbags, one in
each front door

Head Protection System (HPS)
airbags, one in each front roof
pillar (A-pillar)

As an option, some cars may be
equipped with:

Rear side-impact airbags, one in
each rear door (4-door Sedan or
Sport Wagon).

The airbags and seat belts are
integrated into the Multiple Restraint
System (MRS). The MRS control
module is located on the center tunnel,
underneath the rug below the parking
brake handle.

E46 Airbags

1

-

Driver air bag