Aftermarket Stereo and SRS Reset

simslax · Post by **simslax** » 16 Aug 2010, 13:14

Okay so I installed a Kenwood 645 head unit and a Metra trim kit from Crutchfield's in my daughter's 2001 V70. She wanted the front face USB for iPod and the built-in Bluetooth. Unfortunately I tripped the SRS Failure Alert light, b/c even though I had the negative battery post disconnected, I did not wait 5 minutes to start work on removing the ECC plugs in the dash under the factory head unt

So I to go to the stealer to reset the light ($105!!). Stealer telling me that without the Volvo head unit, the "nodes" of the car's computer systems will not recognize this aftermarket head unit and that it will continue to trip the SRS Failure Light which will disable the airbags. Stealer said they could not turn light off!

Please tell me that is not true-- no way a safety conscious company like Volvo would permananetly disable their airbags deployment based on confusing system "cross talk" with the system's stereo unit, that has nothing to do with the SRS system.

Is this dealer out to lunch? Has anyone else been unable to reset the STS faiulre light or had to live with a disabled SRS system just because the factory head unit was changed?

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 16 Aug 2010, 13:23

I believe the dealer is giving you a lot of crap.

You still need the dealer to turn the SRS light off though. So I would put the stock radio back, head to a different dealer to have the light turned off.

Then, follow procedure disconnecting the battery and put the aftermarket stereo back in.

simslax · Post by **simslax** » 17 Aug 2010, 05:24

JDA

Thanks. That is what I suspected. I drove the V70 last night. The SRS Alert Light is off, so I will leave this aftermarket unit in the car for now. The tech I spoke with was concerned that without the factory head unit and its communication in this "Low side system" (network if you will), the vehicle might throw some other warning light codes or even throw the SRS code again.

I understood the SRS Light came on due to a low voltage situation, not because the factory head unit ws "missing" in the system. So I guess my question is

"Once the Volvo stock head unit has been replaced by an aftermarket head unit and once the light has been turned off by the dealer (as this one is now), have other owners of S70s and V70s had a recurrence of SRS Alert Light activation?"

I had previously swapped a Volvo head unit out for an Alpine head unit on a 1997 850 GLT and never had a problem afterward.