1996 Volvo 850. SRS light came on. I didn't do anything to cause it.

Redneck · Post by **Redneck** » 24 Oct 2016, 20:53

Hi,

In my 1996 Volvo 850. SRS light came on for no apparent reason while I was driving. I didn't do anything to cause it. Are there any known points of failure to look at? Aging components to replace? Has this happened to anyone?

I have already done a little of search about resetting the SRS light and have just ordered the VAG-COM cable with the oldest chip and got the VOL-FCR software version 1.3.6, but there was a reason for the light to illuminate. I want to identify the cause and fix it. Please help anyone if you can.

About the software. Is there a reason not to use FTDI FT232RL chip based VAG-COM cable? It is supposed to work with later versions of windows. I haven't ordered that one because nobody here seemed to mention it as a set-up that worked. Has anyone tried that cable?

I am really interested in fixing the cause of the SRS fault. Any suggestions what might have failed and needs to be replaced? Or does this light just come on for no reason sometimes?

My simple OBDII scanner does not read any fault codes.

Is there a way to read SRS fault codes with any home made tool such as the one for ECC codes connected to ODB port with diodes lighting up as 1-1-1 etc.? I made that one a while ago. I really want to read these codes myself. I won't take the car to the dealer for anything under any circumstances.

Thank you.

Post by **erikv11** » 24 Oct 2016, 22:57

I have seen a few random, SRS codes that apparently popped up for no reason at all. I just reset the code and they never came back. And I've never had the SRS light come on out of nowhere and stay on. Definitely give it a shot when your reset capability arrives.

I don't think you can read SRS with the diode kit. But Vol-fcr will give you some direction about where to look, in the SRS code. The clockspring in the steering wheel seems to be the most common, but I have never had any actual SRS failures so I'm just going by what I've read here.

Redneck · Post by **Redneck** » 24 Oct 2016, 23:22

Thank you erikv11,

Does the Vol-fcr return some SRS fault codes? You wrote that Vol-fcr can give some direction about where to look. This gives me hope. I have it installed and the software says "Fault Code Reader" but haven't run it yet because I am waiting for the cable to arrive. It would be great if it returned some SRS diagnostic codes.

Post by **misha** » 25 Oct 2016, 01:47

Yes....with Vol-Fcr you can access all modules in the car,including ecu if you have Motronic 4.4 management.
Flash codes are still present in Motronic 4.3 ecu and ecc...all others are obdII.

Did you checked the fuses?

Redneck · Post by **Redneck** » 25 Oct 2016, 16:28

Thank you Misha,

My fuses are all good.

It looks like I have Motronic 4.4:

55 = B5254S Emissions = 4 (Auto. Only)
4 = w/o EGR w/air pump, w/OBDII, w/elec. control evap,
Motronic 4.4 w/Rulo., TLEV (55)
1 = Torslanda, Sweden

Is there anything to be careful about when using VOL-FCR software? Is there a button in that software that I should not click or mess around with to avoid causing problems with current car programming/set-up? Is there anything that may go wrong with the car if I start clicking around that software and press a wrong button?

Post by **erikv11** » 25 Oct 2016, 16:33

If the car is a 96 with an air pump, then it has m4.4.

I am definitely not a VOL-FCR expert, just a dabbler, better I leave that question to others.

Post by **E Showell** » 25 Oct 2016, 16:38

Moisture? Window left open overnight in the rain? That set a seat SRS code on my '99 V70. Wait a few days to dry out and a scanner reset resolved the issue.

Redneck · Post by **Redneck** » 25 Oct 2016, 16:56

We had rain recently, but noting unusual. I keep the car in the parking garage. My windows are always rolled up while driving or parked. No spills either. Despite all that, I do not exclude that possibility. The engine temperature gauge on the dashboard stops working under certain atmospheric conditions combination of moisture/temperature/air pressure. I suspect one of the solders possibly failing somewhere. Given the age of this car it is possible that it may be happening in other electrical systems such as SRS. That would be a remote possibility, but who knows.

Redneck · Post by **Redneck** » 30 Oct 2016, 12:03

Sorry erikv11 below:), I was updating the post.

I tried to reset the fault, but it does not let me.

Post by **erikv11** » 30 Oct 2016, 12:23

Just out of curiosity, did you try resetting the code, and see if it comes back? Maybe you want to fix the (potential) issue just in case, but I am curious.