SRS light on, Are air bags disabled or may not work

Post by **keepersboy** » 15 Sep 2011, 11:09

The Srs light on my 94 850 t has been on for some time. The nearest dealer for me is about 200 miles, so its not real handy to stop by. Its my understanding that volvo recomends the sensors be replaced after some time. I'm sure the dealer will tell me I need some very expensive repairs. Does the srs light come on after a number of miles or time to force precautionary repairs? Also does the fault mean the air bags are disabled, or does it just mean they may not work? Thanks

Post by **JRL** » 15 Sep 2011, 12:24

They will NOT work with an SRS light on

Post by **jblackburn** » 15 Sep 2011, 12:33

And you may end up in a crash with your head bleeding instead of hitting an airbag like some young lady I saw in a Camry the other week when a tire blew out.

Luckily one of my coworkers is an EMT and stopped to help.

I'd suggest reading codes from B5 as shown below and you can get an idea of what's going on with it yourself.
http://www.volvospeed.com/CheckEngine.php

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 15 Sep 2011, 12:44

What JRL said is not completely accurate...

Its likely that your SRS system and therefore airbags are disabled, but not guaranteed. Often the default for these kind of warning lights is ON with a need for an Off or an "OK" signal from the given module to, well turn off the light. In other words, a short or issue that doesnt actually affect the SRS system directly can cause the light to come on and stay on, even though the system is fully operational. I have this issue in winter/cold temps with my S80. The SRS light comes on, but the system is fully functional, its literally a warning light circuit issue.

You need to find someone who can read codes from the SRS module. Volvo deal basically, I dont think the PPC unit with work with a '94

Post by **JRL** » 15 Sep 2011, 12:57

Not true
If the airbag light is on, SRS system does not work, period

Post by **keepersboy** » 15 Sep 2011, 13:41

Thanks everyone: I've gotten so used to using my scan tool on my v70, i forgot about getting codes under the hood on my older 850, I was also thinking I could not get srs info, but going to b5 per jack was right on. I pulled 222 which says " open circut wiring, passsenger air bag" I cleared codes and it came back with no faults found. I has stayed off for now. Maybe if I'm lucky it was just some glitch, and wont come back. I've never been under the dash or anything to trigger a wiring problem. I'll cross my fingers. I know I read somewhere That Volvo wanted the sensors replaced at around 100k, and wonderd if this was some kind of "service light" kind of fault for the srs system

Post by **keepersboy** » 15 Sep 2011, 13:49

Thanks again Jack: I was also thinking about your Abs comment about getting hurt. I'm still a little afraid of air bags. I know my 850 has the older really explosive ones. A friend of mine was in a accident a while back, and although I'm sure the air bags helped him, He had 2 black eyes, a badly split lip and a smashed nose, I hear the newer ones are much better, and there no telling what would have happened without it, but he still looked pretty scary after the accident.

Post by **jblackburn** » 15 Sep 2011, 14:07

Thanks again Jack

Justin

If it's the passenger side airbag, you might do well to disconnect the battery and make sure the charge is drained. Then remove the glovebox liner (just a couple screws) and check the grounding cable for the airbag right there. There was a recall on -70 series at some point to add another grounding cable for the airbag, and I believe they just added another cable to it.

Yeah, I was in an accident years ago - the summer after I graduated from high school - with a friend in a Cavalier. Someone changed lanes in front of us and stomped their brakes for a yellow light (from 60 mph they could have easily made it through), we skidded in the rain and sideswiped them near 35 mph; the car behind us pushed us into an intersection, and then the front fender of the car was hit by a Jeep going through the green-lighted intersection. Seems like not much, but it freaking hurt and needless to say there wasn't much left of the little car - it looked like a smashed up drink can. I got away with some bruises, and my friend had some bruises and a broken ankle from the brake pedal.

When those airbags get off, it gets REALLY hot in there and you can't breathe from the car filling with smoke. But I suppose it's better than slamming into the dash/windshield.

Not sure if even having ABS can save you from stupid drivers sometimes. My sister was hit head-on by a drunk driver a few years ago - here's her old car

: n1399590103_30067505_6146.jpg (67.69 KiB) Viewed 4326 times

IceTurbo · Post by **IceTurbo** » 15 Sep 2011, 19:17

It's best to have functioning airbags, you can never predict when someone else's behavior or decision will cause you to end up in a wreck.

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 15 Sep 2011, 19:27

JRL wrote:Not true
If the airbag light is on, SRS system does not work, period

It's not that simple. The SRS light is "always on" by default and will not turn off unless the circuitry for it gets a 1 or "OK" from the SRS module. If there is a problem this particular signal path (ie cold joint or other poor connection), the light will stay on but the SRS until will continue to work as its none the wiser.
Of course, no matter what if you throw an SRS light its smart to get it checked out. I'm not suggesting that people disregard it, just let be clear that it doesn't mean that there is a 100% chance of your SRS not functioning.

In terms of the code you got from the SRS module, would do no harm to disconnect the battery and reseat the connections associated with the passenger-side airbag. Possibly hit them with contact cleaner if it can be done neatly and accurately. I threw the same code persistently on a B5 Passat, I cleared it with VAG-COM and it kept coming back after varying periods of time. I reseated the connectors that I could access and I never saw the code again.