Sati
Learning the ropes
Posts: 25
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Post by Sati on Sept 3, 2007 21:40:39 GMT
Hi folks,
Got an MGF '98 1.8i, recently the SRS airbag warning light has been intermittently coming on and off, any ideas?
Seeing as car is 10 years old would i need to get the airbag changed/serviced?
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Post by charless on Sept 3, 2007 21:57:41 GMT
If the light is on; the bag(s) will not fire in an emergency. This is an 'advisory' problem so will not fail an MOT on that alone. The most likely place to cure an intermittent is if you have disturbed wiring under the seats; if the wiring is intact the next most likely candidate is the rotary coupler in the steering wheel - much harder to access or repair. The least likely place for a fault is the bag itself. If you wish to investigate any part of the circuitry you are advised to disconnect the battery for at least 15 minutes beforehand to avoid any chance of the pyrotechnics firing accidentally. Or just live with it!
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Post by Adrian Clifford on Sept 4, 2007 10:25:32 GMT
Good advice from Charles, however, if I remember correctly, the airbag has a life of 10 years therefore as well as investigation you should consider replacement.
Check the connector under each seat (with the battery disconnected and any residual current diminished). The removal of the air bag unit from the steering wheel is very easy, once again kill the battery before touching it.
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Post by markleonard on Sept 4, 2007 20:08:58 GMT
Good advice from Charles, however, if I remember correctly, the airbag has a life of 10 years therefore as well as investigation you should consider replacement. Check the connector under each seat (with the battery disconnected and any residual current diminished). The removal of the air bag unit from the steering wheel is very easy, once again kill the battery before touching it. Was there not some kind of MG-R change to this '10 Year rule'?, IIRC it was revised upwards to 15 years before replacement was needed....
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Post by Chris Tideswell on Sept 4, 2007 21:30:24 GMT
Apparently airbags should work indefinitely and will never need renewing unless the car is in a humid country.
The 10 and 15 year replacement cycle is due to the makers of the airbag will only guarantee the product for 10 and 15 years (depending on when the original was installed).
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Post by charless on Sept 4, 2007 21:32:46 GMT
And the light will definitely be on after 15 years if the bulb hasn't blown.
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Sati
Learning the ropes
Posts: 25
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Post by Sati on Sept 7, 2007 18:15:39 GMT
Thanks for the input guys. It was intermittent but now it just stays on!! What do the connectors under the seat look like and what do i check for and how do i rectify anything? If i do disconnect the battery, is 15 minuts sufficient to get rid of any residual currnt do avid air bag firing off? Any advice would be most appreciated. P.S if i do need to get it sorted are there any places that can be recommended in and around the london area? Thanks
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Post by charless on Sept 8, 2007 9:29:49 GMT
That is a commonly reported failure mode - just like mine! They are probably 'bullet' type connectors on yellow wire(might have been changed by a previous owner)) BUT if you are not familiar with this stuff, don't mess with it; as the problem could become much worse. With your light on permanently the bags will not work in an emergency. Luckily for you E.London is within striking distance of a couple of very well reported F experienced garages who post on here but may be reluctant to proffer their commercial services to a general enquiry. Try asking the question of the Essex or South East sections of the register who will be very helpful.
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Post by Adrian Clifford on Sept 8, 2007 12:26:06 GMT
Give Steve Tyler a call, he's our resident expert. He owns and operates British Legends in Southend 01702 511123, he's a member of the Essex Roadsters too, so you will get honest advice and a good price for any work.
Alternatively, distance wise Ralph Gadsby is almost as close, he's in Upchurch in Kent, he is part owner of Executive Motoring Services, you can find him on 01634 388999.
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Post by Scarlet Fever on Sept 8, 2007 12:36:10 GMT
The wiring under the seat is to the seatbelt clip (the pre-tensioner), there is a multiplug under the seat that joins the seatbelt clip to the wiring loom of the car (yellow wires are generally always to do with the SRS (Supplimentary Restraining System). In an accident, the airbags fire and the seatbelts tighten, pulling you into the seat.
The wiring to the seatbelt clip can become snagged on the carpet if the seat is moved forwards and backwards, pulling the multiplug and causing the connection to be lost. The ECU that controls the SRS system detects a break int he circuit and goes into safe mode, disarming the whole system and displaying the red light on the dash.
Check the multiplug under the seat for disconnection, including the wires themselves being pulled out of the multiplug. This is by far the most common form of failure on the SRS system and it affects lots of other cars too - my ZT does it occasionally too.
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Sati
Learning the ropes
Posts: 25
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Post by Sati on Sept 8, 2007 20:31:35 GMT
Guess what?!? Light has now gone off again, but will try and look at the connector but wont do anything, dont wanna make matters worse.....if it is a case off a loose connection ill try and rectify it but if it aint then ill let the experts have a go. I'll check all the leads n my MGF cd-rom manual and how to access them. Thanks for all your input and help guys, much appriciated
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Sati
Learning the ropes
Posts: 25
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Post by Sati on Sept 8, 2007 20:40:11 GMT
Bugger, spelt appreciated incorrectly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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