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      05-17-2020, 05:18 PM   #1
dan4081
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Active headrest 93AF fault code

Hello everyone
Started car and had a seatbelt warning and airbag symbol lights on. Scanned and came up with 93AF active headrest fault (passenger side).
Searched this site and also googled 93af and didn't get a lot of hits. But most that did come up had both 93AF and 93Ae at the same time.
There didn't seem to be a lot of consensus on a fix, especially for the single code.
I did try clearing the fault but it came back next day.

My knee jerk reaction is to just order a new active headrest off ebay...there are a few listed on there that match mine and they run under $100 shipped.
I just worry I will get the new one and it wont fix the issue.

Anyone have any ideas to move forward?
BTW,
2009 328i USA car
Non sport seats

Thanks
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      05-17-2020, 06:41 PM   #2
smass
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Inspect the wiring under the seat. The active headrest wiring is tacked onto the side of the original pre-LCI connector. I could see that being damaged by something stuck under the seat. It is just 2 wires. Raise the seat up all the way and you can see them on the front edge.
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      05-17-2020, 07:35 PM   #3
dan4081
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Thanks for the suggestion.
I just went out and pulled and prodded every wire and connection under there but nothing seemed loose, disconnected or broken.

Ill check again tomorrow when I have more light.

Last edited by dan4081; 05-17-2020 at 08:03 PM..
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      05-18-2020, 09:08 PM   #4
dan4081
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Checked again today and didn't see anything that looked broken or out of place.
Any other ideas?

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      05-21-2020, 06:49 PM   #5
dan4081
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Don't want to jinx anything but after getting the warning repeatedly for 3 days in a row, it hasn't come back in the past 4 days.
Didn't do anything except put my seat back in the upright position (carwash people had laid it down pretty far), pulled and tugged each wire under seat, and cleared the code with Inpa each time it came up.

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      05-21-2020, 09:25 PM   #6
NinetyEight740
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That tells you even more so that it’s a wiring short because now that you’ve moved the wire from where it was shorting against the seat frame. Check closely and you’ll find it.
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      05-22-2020, 06:45 PM   #7
dan4081
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NinetyEight740 View Post
That tells you even more so that it’s a wiring short because now that you’ve moved the wire from where it was shorting against the seat frame. Check closely and you’ll find it.
Can you give me more of a hint where or which wire it is?
I looked under there and there are wires all over...wasn't sure which one it was and pulled on all of them.

Thanks!!!
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      05-23-2020, 08:55 AM   #8
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Remove the hard plastic cover on the back of the seat. There are 2 plastic plugs in the bottom edge. Once removed, the cover slides down and away. You can now find the headrest wiring coming out of one of the headrest shafts. Trace it down and over to the plug.

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      05-23-2020, 05:51 PM   #9
dan4081
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Thanks for the reply.
Of course after posting the error lights came back today.

I'll pull the seat back, trace and report back.
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      05-24-2020, 03:30 PM   #10
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I have both of these codes but dont even have active headrest! Very confused.
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      08-11-2023, 04:34 AM   #11
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Check under seat

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlmightyE90 View Post
I have both of these codes but dont even have active headrest! Very confused.
I have a 2008 e90 320d, no active headrest. After getting carpets steamed cleaned, was getting the same error. 93AE passenger side. Could not clear it with a standard FOX ODBC reader. Checked under the seat, and found a small wire with a white head. You really need to get under the seat with a flashlight.
Sure enough, the female side (white head also) was nearby, so I simply plugged it in, and then re cleared all codes. Voila. Issue solved. My case anyhow, hope you find your issue.
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