Saltwater Spill

CGodfrey19 · 01-26-2019, 07:41 PM

I transported a leaking residential water softener.
I thought it was empty. It was not. I spilled some *very* salty water into my back seat and trunk.
It dried and crusted. It looks worse than it is. Pretty sure my steamvac will get the salt residue out, just like I do to my salty floormats in the spring.

But minutes after the spill, the airbag light on the cluster went off.
1. Is it a safe assumption that the rear tensioner assemblies (picture 1) fried, and that's what set off the light? Any advise when it comes to replacing? I assume I want to disconnect the battery and wait x number of minutes before disconnecting them?

2. What is this loose connection (pic 2) I found on the passenger side, underneath the back seat?

Thanks.

PichaDis11 · 01-27-2019, 12:22 AM

It would be best to clean up all you can then scan for codes. Check the area surrounding the battery in the trunk etc.

smass · 01-27-2019, 07:28 AM

Clean up the wiring connectors and re-scan. It could be that only one side is bad or that the connectors did not like being wet. If needed, the tensioners are cheap on ebay and low risk since the systems tests them. Disconnect the batter and wait a few minutes to be safe and not create additional codes. Once everything is repaired you will need to clear the error with a scan tool. That error does not go away by itself.

The extra connector is used when the car is shipped when new. It may disconnect the battery.

01-26-2019, 07:41 PM	#1
CGodfrey19 New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2006 (early) 325xi Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (0)	Saltwater Spill - Rear Airbags I transported a leaking residential water softener. I thought it was empty. It was not. I spilled some very salty water into my back seat and trunk. It dried and crusted. It looks worse than it is. Pretty sure my steamvac will get the salt residue out, just like I do to my salty floormats in the spring. But minutes after the spill, the airbag light on the cluster went off. 1. Is it a safe assumption that the rear tensioner assemblies (picture 1) fried, and that's what set off the light? Any advise when it comes to replacing? I assume I want to disconnect the battery and wait x number of minutes before disconnecting them? 2. What is this loose connection (pic 2) I found on the passenger side, underneath the back seat? Thanks. Attached Images
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01-27-2019, 12:22 AM	#2
PichaDis11 Colonel 295 Rep 2,202 Posts Drives: E90 N52 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NY iTrader: (3)	It would be best to clean up all you can then scan for codes. Check the area surrounding the battery in the trunk etc. __________________ Retrofits: 322, 609, 6FL, 6NR, 6VC, 2TB.. Upgrades: Bilstein B8 Eibach Spring kit
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01-27-2019, 07:28 AM	#3
smass Lieutenant Colonel 398 Rep 1,579 Posts Drives: 06 325i - 10 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 E90 335i [0.00] 2016 F15 35i [0.00] 2003 E53 3.0 [0.00] 2006 E90 325i [0.00]	Clean up the wiring connectors and re-scan. It could be that only one side is bad or that the connectors did not like being wet. If needed, the tensioners are cheap on ebay and low risk since the systems tests them. Disconnect the batter and wait a few minutes to be safe and not create additional codes. Once everything is repaired you will need to clear the error with a scan tool. That error does not go away by itself. The extra connector is used when the car is shipped when new. It may disconnect the battery.
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