Resetting the SRS Airbag warning

[KrisHolden]

Hi guys,

I am not a mechanic, but I have a VZ and on several occassions, usually only after hard breaking, the SRS airbag warning comes on and stays on till I get Holden to clear it and always for a large sum of around $100.

After they clear it, its usually good for months or unless I heavy break (still testing this pattern).

But anyway, whats the cheapest device you know that I can connect to the system to clear the code myself instead of paying Holden to do it. I know theres one on eBay but Im not sure what to choose when it comes to the cheapest one that would do the job.

Any advice will help

[kizza50]

Anything that can clear lights that is obd2

[KrisHolden]

Thanks... Im thinking of getting this one:
MaxiScan MS509 OBD2 Scanner Code Reader OBDII EOBD CAN-BUS Diagnostic Live Data | eBay

Iv never done it before, but only if you know, can you tell me how I plug it up.
Which quarter of the engine compartment is the port, and when I plug it up do I do it with the engine off\on and any other important details?


Appreciated!

[dorteerts]

Hi guys,

I am not a mechanic, but I have a VZ and on several occassions, usually only after hard breaking, the SRS airbag warning comes on and stays on till I get Holden to clear it and always for a large sum of around $100.

After they clear it, its usually good for months or unless I heavy break (still testing this pattern).

But anyway, whats the cheapest device you know that I can connect to the system to clear the code myself instead of paying Holden to do it. I know theres one on eBay but Im not sure what to choose when it comes to the cheapest one that would do the job.

Any advice will help

I just hope you mean "braking" rather than going around and "breaking" your car.
Have you considered fixing the fault causing the Airbag Warning to come on before having the code cleared?

[illlusion]

That scan tool won't clear Srs faults Only tech 2 can clear Srs related faults due to it been a safety device

[KrisHolden]

That scan tool won't clear Srs faults Only tech 2 can clear Srs related faults due to it been a safety device

Hello... I tend to agree with you. I wasnt too certain about the first post which stated anything OBD2 compliant. I know by Holden that they need Tech2.
Do you know whether such a device is available to me at a reasonable price?

I just hope you mean "braking" rather than going around and "breaking" your car.
Have you considered fixing the fault causing the Airbag Warning to come on before having the code cleared?

haha, yeah, sorry, braking of course.
Holden has said it could be a bad ABS module. But wouldnt that send off a ABS warning and not a SRS warning??

I really think its a loose wire somewhere. The problem only started soon after they recalled the car to adjust the side impact airbags. Of course I cant blame them and confirm this is it, but after 4 attempts for them to fix it, and sometimes at a charge to me, is all they did was reset the sensors and it went away for a few months.

I might go to Kmart and see what they say. They know me well, but Id still much prefer to do some diagnostics myself and be able to reset the sensor myself and put the car to a test of my own ie heavy braking, hard bumps etc to see if its just a loose cable or something similar :S

[illlusion]

Tech 2 is not available to us normal people what is holden telling u when they clear it so we have a starting point to what is causing the fault

[KrisHolden]

Yeah, damn that.
They last said when they cleared the message it was a abs module that needs replacing. Next month when Iv got more time I hope to get that sorted with Kmart if they have the scanner cause I think some mechanics do have the tech2 from what Iv read.

If its giving me warnings now, Id hate to get in an accident and have no airbags so yeah, I think its safest to get it fixed. I just need confirmation that it is the abs module and not something much cheaper.

[illlusion]

u can get a exchange abs module through your local parts store and change it your self then give back your old one saves a few dollars then get the light cleared there are lot of mechanics that do have the tech 2 software aswell though in looking at my diagram of the Srs layout the only thing that the abs share is the data line so if the abs is not working correctly the Srs can't communicate correctly u would possibly get a fault do u ever get the abs fault come up on the centre display had any battery issues lately

[KrisHolden]

u can get a exchange abs module through your local parts store and change it your self then give back your old one saves a few dollars then get the light cleared there are lot of mechanics that do have the tech 2 software aswell though in looking at my diagram of the Srs layout the only thing that the abs share is the data line so if the abs is not working correctly the Srs can't communicate correctly u would possibly get a fault do u ever get the abs fault come up on the centre display had any battery issues lately

That is very interesting you mentioned batt issues. Last year, NRMA installed a faulty battery. Took 3months to figure that out too. During that time I got heaps of ABS fault codes and SRS warnings.
However, with the new battery inplace, Im fairly sure its just a SRS warning I get now on each startup. All codes have been cleared several times after the new battery was installed. But makes sense what you're saying about them using the same data line.

Next month when I have more time available Ill get Kmart to sort it out. What you have said sorta makes sense with what Holden is saying. Im not a mechanic but its great to at least understand the problems.

Cheers!

[illlusion]

No worrys that's what the forums are for

[KrisHolden]

No worrys that's what the forums are for

So true... thanks again mate!

[RiCeY]

If the code logs on startup it call be a lack of comms due to low voltage when cranking.

It would help a lot to know what the code is thats being logged..

[Torquative]

We went through this only 2 months or so ago. That scan tool won't clear or even show the SRS fault, however there is one thats about $400 the cheapest ive seen called the Maxitel SRS and oil light reset. We almost bought one ourselves to reset an srs light but got a mechanic to do it in the end.

[KrisHolden]

We went through this only 2 months or so ago. That scan tool won't clear or even show the SRS fault, however there is one thats about $400 the cheapest ive seen called the Maxitel SRS and oil light reset. We almost bought one ourselves to reset an srs light but got a mechanic to do it in the end.

I think for that price I might just a pay the little extra and get the problem sorted out completely. I guess if the device was under $150 I wouldv considered it.
But thanks for bringing that to my attention!

[rizzle69]

Hi guys,
Newbie on the forum but felt like putting sticking my nose in on this one.
In my opinion the SRS is probably being triggered by a faulty wire under one of the front seats.
In my VY there is a yellow & orange plug on the left of the passenger seat which, if unplugged while the key in on will trigger the fault.
I found this out the hard way when I installed an amp under the passenger seat.

I am a software developer and thinking of buying the elcheapo diagnostic tool from ebay which really is just a connector and USB to connect to a PC. It seems the software supplied only matches up any diagnostic code with a database. I am wondering if I can write something to do some basic resets.

From what I can gather there are lots of blokes who get the SRS warning from installing amps, water spills during detailing or installing new seats.

According to the book you can hit the mode button to reduce the size of the warning on your cluster but until you get it reset from Holden your airbags and srs are disabled.

Cheers
Rick

[KrisHolden]

Hi guys,
Newbie on the forum but felt like putting sticking my nose in on this one.
In my opinion the SRS is probably being triggered by a faulty wire under one of the front seats.
In my VY there is a yellow & orange plug on the left of the passenger seat which, if unplugged while the key in on will trigger the fault.
I found this out the hard way when I installed an amp under the passenger seat.

I am a software developer and thinking of buying the elcheapo diagnostic tool from ebay which really is just a connector and USB to connect to a PC. It seems the software supplied only matches up any diagnostic code with a database. I am wondering if I can write something to do some basic resets.

From what I can gather there are lots of blokes who get the SRS warning from installing amps, water spills during detailing or installing new seats.

According to the book you can hit the mode button to reduce the size of the warning on your cluster but until you get it reset from Holden your airbags and srs are disabled.

Cheers
Rick

Thanks Rick... I appreciate your reply. Im terribly busy over the next two weeks but when I get to it, I will certainly check out that plug you referred to. Not even Holden themselves who attempted to solve the problem suggested this. They just kept resetting the damn thing.

Id love to be able to reset the thing myself but not for the price people are asking. I might try unplugging that thing and reconnecting it without the keys in the ignition and then take it to someone who can reset it cheaply to see if that is the culprit. Otherwise Ill just get them to work it out.

Appreciate it!

[mr031]

most modern work shops have scan tools that can scan srs systems. I have one that i use daily and its not a tech2, tho do have access to as tech2 without the holden repair costing of diagnosis

[Torquative]

According to the book you can hit the mode button to reduce the size of the warning on your cluster but until you get it reset from Holden your airbags and srs are disabled

to clarify, when it does the start up check it gets to the check then beeps and illuminate an SRS Failure warning. Hitting mode clears that from the cluster, same as the low fuel warning, but a bright red SRS light stays on in the left hand corner and as mentioned its disabled.

[KrisHolden]

most modern work shops have scan tools that can scan srs systems. I have one that i use daily and its not a tech2, tho do have access to as tech2 without the holden repair costing of diagnosis

Great to know. I dont think I would want to use a mechanic who doesnt have the technology to scan these problems on widely used cars as from Holden.

to clarify, when it does the start up check it gets to the check then beeps and illuminate an SRS Failure warning. Hitting mode clears that from the cluster, same as the low fuel warning, but a bright red SRS light stays on in the left hand corner and as mentioned its disabled.

Yep, thats what happens lol