Need help installing driver's door air bag

[gnome]

Just picked up a 2000 540i, sport option. Drives nice, showing some signs of wear, trying to get it back to a nicer state as the original owner let a few things go. The drivers door has NO airbag (it was replaced with a better door from a donor car without the air bag).
Airbag light is on, I just bought the airbag and mounting bolts from a parting out car - is there a way to install the missing airbag in the door without having to remove the door panel? I read the great DIY on this forum for removing the panel to fix the window regulator, but is there an opening that I can access just for the airbag area?

Also, I plan to do this with the battery disconnected of course. Will the airbag light reset by itself or do I need an SRS reset tool? Also with the airbag light on, does that mean that no airbags will deploy in an accident? I don't want my son driving the car if that is the case.

Any help is much appreciated.
Gnome

[roverguy10]

Need to take the panel off. Its simple and aught to take an hour or so. Don't miss the screw in the front hvac duct..

When you attach the airbag plug, good practice is to not stand in front of the airbag. The system is grounded and the airbag shunted but it doesn't take much to set off the airbag.

You so need a reset tool afterwards to the best of my knowledge.

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