Airbag light on dash wooden panel
#1
02-04-2010, 06:19 AM
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Airbag light on dash wooden panel
I know the airbag light on the wooden trim comes on and off depending on the weight on the passenger seat. It works fine but when my wife sits in the passenger seat, most of the time its on, so does it mean when its on, in the event of a crash, the airbag wont deploy..? She weighs about 8 stone (112 pounds) should it dissapear? and even for kids, why should the airbag not work for them?
And its funny that sometimes its off when my wife is sitting there, not like shes constantly changing weight lol.
Also when I sit in the passenger seat in my mates X-Type, most of the time the light is off but sometimes its on...? and I weigh 10.5 stones (147 pounds)
I have no airbag lights behind the steering wheel though.
And its funny that sometimes its off when my wife is sitting there, not like shes constantly changing weight lol.
Also when I sit in the passenger seat in my mates X-Type, most of the time the light is off but sometimes its on...? and I weigh 10.5 stones (147 pounds)
I have no airbag lights behind the steering wheel though.
#2
02-04-2010, 06:23 AM
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You have some kind of problem with the seat sensor it sounds like to me. Never had to troubleshoot this before so I can't offer much help, but if that light is on, the airbag is off. NOT what you want to have when your wife is in that seat. The airbag is set to turn off for small children as there were some instances where the airbag deployment was killing/severly injuring smaller kids IIRC....
Maybe someone else can chime in with a solution.....
Maybe someone else can chime in with a solution.....
#3
02-04-2010, 01:40 PM
There are reported problems with the warning light coming on first time the car is driven when the weather is cold. There is a sophisticated sensor filled with gel (I'm told) mounted to the steel seat base. When pressure is applied to the sensor by someone sitting on it, the weight is determined.
I would check connections to the sensor etc. but it could be a failed seat sensor or other component in the 'system'. It may be worth using an OBD reader to check for faults too.
I would check connections to the sensor etc. but it could be a failed seat sensor or other component in the 'system'. It may be worth using an OBD reader to check for faults too.
#4
02-04-2010, 06:24 PM
FROM JTIS
Passenger Weight Sensor
The passenger weight sensor:The occupant classification sensor detects, by integrated pressure sensors, the presence of a passenger or object on the seat cushion. The occupant classification sensor cannot discriminate between a passenger and an object. The electronic control unit processes the pressure information and, if the pressure exceeds a threshold, an occupied seat state is communicated through the wiring harness to the air bag control module. If the seat is empty or occupied by a very light object an empty seat state is transmitted to the air bag control module and the passenger air bag will be deactivated to avoid unnecessary repair costs. If the seat is empty and the safety belt is buckled the passenger air bag deactivation indicator will be illuminated. The occupant classification sensor system is not affected by the position of the passenger seat.
Passenger Weight Sensor
The passenger weight sensor:The occupant classification sensor detects, by integrated pressure sensors, the presence of a passenger or object on the seat cushion. The occupant classification sensor cannot discriminate between a passenger and an object. The electronic control unit processes the pressure information and, if the pressure exceeds a threshold, an occupied seat state is communicated through the wiring harness to the air bag control module. If the seat is empty or occupied by a very light object an empty seat state is transmitted to the air bag control module and the passenger air bag will be deactivated to avoid unnecessary repair costs. If the seat is empty and the safety belt is buckled the passenger air bag deactivation indicator will be illuminated. The occupant classification sensor system is not affected by the position of the passenger seat.
There may be nothing wrong with the airbag weight sensor.
Its set to light between 7 and 8 stone and if/when deployed has a 2 stage deployment depending on weight of passenger.
It doesnt matter whether the occupant is an adult or child its the weight of the occupant that is important.
Maybe your wife had less weight (lighter clothes,no coat,no bag) or was pushing slightly with her feet thus lowering the sensed weight on the seat which would deactivate the light.
#5
02-04-2010, 07:06 PM
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#6
02-04-2010, 07:17 PM
We don't get the chance to deal with children in the front seat where I live (California) because they must be in the back seat AND you're fined if you also don't follow the following:
1. Child less than 1 year and/also less than 20lbs must be in an infant seat facing backwards.
2. Age 1 to 3 (20 to 40 lbs) in a fwd facing child seat.
3. 4 and 5 years & less than 55" (4'-7") in a booster seat.
1. Child less than 1 year and/also less than 20lbs must be in an infant seat facing backwards.
2. Age 1 to 3 (20 to 40 lbs) in a fwd facing child seat.
3. 4 and 5 years & less than 55" (4'-7") in a booster seat.
#7
02-04-2010, 11:14 PM
Mine gets a bit wonky in the cold weather which I was attributing to the cold gel. When I have a passenger, everything is fine no indicator light. But, after they have left the seat, the indicator comes on as if it still detects a light object and is warning that the airbag will not deploy. So, I'm okay to put up with it as long as it's not lit when i actually have a passenger. Never have the problem at warm temperatures.
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#8
02-04-2010, 11:58 PM
I was just thinking about this and depending on where my girl friend sits on the seat and how she is sitting the airbag light is at times on. She is fairly light though I would think 110# to 115#. It does happen more often when the car is cold once the heated seats turn on it is not much of a concern. If that helps at all.
#9
02-05-2010, 04:27 AM
Extreme cold does affect the sensing. The shape of the passengers butt cheeks affects the sensing. A boney butt will have a higher psi than a nice apple shaped butt and be more likely to turn the light off for the same weight. The actual seating position affects the sensing. Not the position of the seat but the position of the passenger in the seat. Someone that tends to lean or sit off to the side is more likely to turn the light on than someone sitting squarely in the seat. I am about 200 pounds and if I lean right or sit partially on the bolster I can get the light to come on.
One more note. Some VINs are able to be calibrated and some are not. I will edit the post when I have the VIN information in front of me.
VINs that can be calibrated with IDS/SDD D03447-D18730
One more note. Some VINs are able to be calibrated and some are not. I will edit the post when I have the VIN information in front of me.
VINs that can be calibrated with IDS/SDD D03447-D18730
Last edited by Real_Tech; 02-05-2010 at 02:20 PM. Reason: update for vin numbers
#13
02-11-2011, 12:00 PM
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We have discovered this problem recently with both our X-types. Funny, my wife is the ONLY one that causes the light to come on, 115 lb. and 5'4". Yesterday, she had one of our Italian Greyhounds in her lap (an extra 8lb.) and... the light didn't come on once. I should get her to start carrying a weight every time she sits in the passenger seat! I don't think there is anything wrong with the sensor.
But, I called the dealer to inquire on a replacement.. $1,400!! Apparently it's not just the sensor, but a complete cushion replacement.
But, I called the dealer to inquire on a replacement.. $1,400!! Apparently it's not just the sensor, but a complete cushion replacement.
#14
02-14-2011, 05:38 PM
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