Airbag light stays on for 1 minute

Johnny_E · 25-03-09, 08:22 AM

Now that I have my car a while, I've got a nag list! Only to be expected - and in fairness to the seller, all stated up front.

My 1st problem (which will no doubt cause me a headache come MOT time at the end of April) is that on starting the car, the airbag light illuminates as you'd expect (for a self test) but it takes 1 minute to go out.

Not normal surely?....

Is this an indication that there is no actual fault, but the airbag needs servicing (or an electronic reset?)

The car is a '95 B4 2.6 coupe by the way... and I have a friend with a full pro Bosch diagnostics kit which I'm hoping can hoke its way inside my car's head

John

BW2309 · 25-03-09, 09:01 AM

Most likely high resistance in either a wire or the air bag ignitor. ONLY check with a diagnostic computer for faults as if you start checking the wires with a multi meter the small voltage put out out by this can set off the bag!!!!!! Can't be anything too bad or the light would stay illuminated.
On the plus side, an illuminated air bag light is NOT an MOT failure.

Johnny_E · 25-03-09, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BW2309

On the plus side, an illuminated air bag light is NOT an MOT failure.

I hope thats the case in NI. We have Gov't run test centres and they are fussy to say the least. I guess if it goes out it goes out. Its just a matter of convincing the tester that this is not a fault.

John

BW2309 · 25-03-09, 09:19 AM

Ah! I didn't think of that or notice your location, sorry mate. You could just convince him its the normal test procudure and to be honest, if he's started it to get it on ramp it may have had time to go off!

Johnny_E · 25-03-09, 09:35 AM

I dunno... couple of weeks ago I put my Ducati Monster through - and he wouldnt pass me until I either removed the pillion seat cowl (to inspect the passenger seat) or removed the footpegs (to prevent a passenger getting on). Jobsworths.

I think I'll get my mechanic to check it electonically - and give me a print out showing no fault.

BW2309 · 25-03-09, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny_E

I dunno... couple of weeks ago I put my Ducati Monster through - and he wouldnt pass me until I either removed the pillion seat cowl (to inspect the passenger seat) or removed the footpegs (to prevent a passenger getting on). Jobsworths.

I think I'll get my mechanic to check it electonically - and give me a print out showing no fault.

OMG, how tight are they???????

Johnny_E · 25-03-09, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BW2309

OMG, how tight are they???????

Its like Little Britain.. "Computer Says No". The rolling road tests your brakes and L-R brake bias. More than 20% variation from side to side in braking force "computer says no". Impact plates vibrate each shock at varying resonations. Too much bounce outside a prescribed tolerance... "computer says no"!

Headlights: You must set adjusters to "0". Electronic check... "computer says no" and you arent allow to adjust it.

Oh... did I mention that this costs near £40 for the test and close to £25 per re-test? Work out the maths. Stealth tax.

gabriel.oconnell · 25-03-09, 03:54 PM

over here it cost £50 let along a retest all money for the goverment to bail out the robbin banks to give themselves huge bonus, i am really glad some vandel smashed up that twit house to do with rbs, he can afford it like the other fat cats, if we fail in our job the sack we have thay get big pensions and state bonus paid by us

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25-03-09, 09:01 AM	#2
BW2309 Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Derby Posts: 1,245	Most likely high resistance in either a wire or the air bag ignitor. ONLY check with a diagnostic computer for faults as if you start checking the wires with a multi meter the small voltage put out out by this can set off the bag!!!!!! Can't be anything too bad or the light would stay illuminated. On the plus side, an illuminated air bag light is NOT an MOT failure.

25-03-09, 09:19 AM	#4
BW2309 Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Derby Posts: 1,245	Ah! I didn't think of that or notice your location, sorry mate. You could just convince him its the normal test procudure and to be honest, if he's started it to get it on ramp it may have had time to go off!

25-03-09, 09:35 AM	#5
Johnny_E Grown up member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 92	I dunno... couple of weeks ago I put my Ducati Monster through - and he wouldnt pass me until I either removed the pillion seat cowl (to inspect the passenger seat) or removed the footpegs (to prevent a passenger getting on). Jobsworths. I think I'll get my mechanic to check it electonically - and give me a print out showing no fault.

25-03-09, 03:54 PM	#8
gabriel.oconnell 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: brynmawr Posts: 3,243	over here it cost £50 let along a retest all money for the goverment to bail out the robbin banks to give themselves huge bonus, i am really glad some vandel smashed up that twit house to do with rbs, he can afford it like the other fat cats, if we fail in our job the sack we have thay get big pensions and state bonus paid by us