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???????

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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.