Airbags!

JSP214

Member
Messages
131
Apologies to those whose minds leapt to something more interesting, but this post is genuinely about airbags. :(

On my recently acquired 2005 Gransport I have the red airbag warning light and the amber deactivated passenger airbag light both permanently on.

I know how to switch off the passenger airbag deactivation, which will hopefully resolve that light and will get the car booked in to have other one checked out.

However, I was wondering if there could be any reason, (other than having a child's seat in the front), for deactivating the passenger airbag? For example if there is a more problematic issue that would be bypassed by deactivating the passenger airbag?

I don't want to reactivate the airbag to sort the warning light if it's going to cause me a another issue, somehow.

Any thoughts/comments gratefully received.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,748
Have you actually switched off the passenger AB.? If not you may have a fault that can only be reset with certain high end decoders (SD3, etc).

The switch for the above is notorious for lighting up the fault tree, so it would be worth buying a new one to replace it as well as cleaning all the multi blocks under the seats with contact cleaner... this will hopefully save multiple trips to the garage with the SD3.
 

ofenomeno99

Member
Messages
354
Can you please elaborate on cleaning multi blocks because I have a 2005 coupe with the same issue with the red airbag light- it was recently serviced and error reset with the SD3 but just came back on yesterday...
 

JSP214

Member
Messages
131
Have you actually switched off the passenger AB.? If not you may have a fault that can only be reset with certain high end decoders (SD3, etc).

I haven’t but when I checked, the key switch had been turned so as to deactivate the passenger airbag and I wondered what the reason for that could be?
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,748
As I understand it a large number of AB errors are caused by poor connections and high resistance. These can be reduced by ensuring any joints or multi plug connections are clean and tight.

The under seat ones that are linked to the seat belt pre tension system often get kicked, trapped and dislodged causing fault codes.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,748
I haven’t but when I checked, the key switch had been turned so as to deactivate the passenger airbag and I wondered what the reason for that could be?
You would only get the Amber off light if it is switched off. If you also have the red light that would indicate an error with the passenger override system, esp if you have now turned it to 'on'
 

JSP214

Member
Messages
131
OK, thanks.

I hadn't turned it to on yet in case it causes other "faults" that need a decoder to clear.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,748
Just remember if you are doing anything with the system other than using the passenger side on/off key switch you must turn the battery off.

If you don't you could end up deploying an AB or creating another error light.
 

JSP214

Member
Messages
131
Just remember if you are doing anything with the system other than using the passenger side on/off key switch you must turn the battery off.

If you don't you could end up deploying an AB or creating another error light.
God no, switching the passenger airbag on/off is my limit!

Any more than that, I'll leave to an expert.