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SB-10043714-5076
SI B61 06 12
General Electrical Systems

February 2012
Technical Service

SUBJECT

The Airbag Warning Lamp Is Illuminated and SZL Fault Codes Are Stored
MODEL

E60, E61 (5 Series) vehicles produced from March 1, 2003 to August 31, 2005
E63, E64 (6 Series) vehicles produced from March 1, 2003 to August 31, 2005
E65, E66 (7 Series) vehicles produced from March 1, 2004 to August 31, 2008
SITUATION

The airbag warning lamp is illuminated along with various check control messages. The SZL (Steering
Column Switch Center) may contain one or more of the following faults stored:


“94E7 – Steering when angle sensor: Relative wiper angle defective”



“5EF4 – Steering angle sensor: Internal control unit”



“94E6 – Steering wheel angle sensor: Wiper 2 outside range”



“94E4 – Steering wheel angle sensor: maximum steering wheel lock range exceeded”

CAUSE

SZL hardware error
PROCEDURE

1. Perform a vehicle test using ISTA (Integrated Service Technical Application) and note the fault
codes stored in the SZL.
Note: When the ISTA system message displays:
Battery voltage only “XX.XX” V. Please connect charger.
Please note the displayed battery voltage reading in the repair order comments section.
2. If one or more of the fault codes listed above is stored, delete the fault memory.
Note: only delete the fault memory after all other faults in the vehicle have been diagnosed.
3. With the engine running and the steering wheel in the center position, turn the wheel left to full
lock; then back right to full lock; and then back to the center position.
Repeat this step “two times”.

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4. Carry out a road test for approximately 3 miles at a speed above 10 mph (try to select a
course where the steering wheel is turned often).
5. Read the fault memory from the vehicle again. If the faults listed above return, replace the SZL as
per ISTA Repair Instructions: “61 31 006 Removing and installing/replacing fixture for steering
column stalk”.
6. Program the vehicle using the latest version of ISTA/P.
Note that ISTA/P will automatically reprogram and code all programmable control modules that
do not have the latest software.
For information on programming and coding with ISTA/P, refer to CenterNet / Aftersales /
Workshop Technology / Vehicle Programming.
PARTS INFORMATION

Part Number

Description

Quantity

Refer to ETK

Switch unit steering column

1

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty or the BMW Certified PreOwned program.
Defect Code

61 12 55 02 00

Labor Operation:

Labor Allowance:

Description:

00 00 006

Refer to KSD2

Performing “vehicle test” (with vehicle
diagnosis system – checking faults)

Refer to KSD2

Charging battery

Work Time (WT)

Step 2: Performing vehicle diagnosis –
test module

Work Time (WT)

Steps 4 and 5: Road test as outlined and
re-read fault memory – Troubleshooting
Electrical/Electronic system

Refer to KSD2

Replacing support for switch on steering
column

Refer to KSD2

Programming/encoding control unit(s)

and if necessary, also
61 21 528
and if necessary, also
61 00 006
and
61 00 009

and if necessary also
61 31 528
and
61 00 710

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(not including CAS)
or
61 00 720

Refer to KSD2

Programming/encoding control unit(s)
(including CAS)

Labor operation code 00 00 006 is a Main labor operation. If you are using a Main labor code for
another repair, use the Plus code labor operation 00 00 556 instead.
Refer to KSD2 for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowance. Enter the Chassis Number, which
consists of the last 7 digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Click on the “Search” button,
and then enter the applicable flat rate labor operation in the FR code field.
Even though work time labor operation code 61 00 006 ends in “006,” it is not considered a Main labor
operation.
Work time (WT) labor operation 61 00 006 – requires an individual punch time.
Even though work time labor operation code 61 00 009 ends in “009,” it is not considered a Main labor
operation.
Work time (WT) labor operation 61 00 009 – requires an individual punch time.
If a control module fails to program correctly or initializations are required, the additional work must be
claimed with separate labor operations under the defect code listed above, refer to KSD2.
Other Repairs
As outlined in the Procedure section “Step 2”, if performing the ISTA diagnostics and related test plans
results with other eligible and covered work, claim this work with the applicable defect code and labor
operations listed in KSD2.
[ Copyright © 2012 BMW of North America, LLC ]

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