SRS warning light on P38??

[Hobbes]

Going to look at a P38 prospective purchase in Melbourne tomorrow.
Vendor reports a SRS warning light in the LCD display.
No conclusive result in previous posts - but it's usually related to steering wheel position sensor...?

What's the good oil on this? - believe Disco boys have similiar probs!

ta
Chris

[Scouse]

I can't say I've heard of a steering wheel position sensor on a P38.

The sprial cassette could be the issue but it's not really a common failure point.

Is it a later model car with side airbags? If so, it could be a poor connection under one of the seats (seat movement can affect these).

[Hobbes]

Yup, it's late one (2001 4.6) so Bosch electrics.
Strangely it's the second one we've looked at that's had the same issue! The fault can be cleared apparently but of course returns.
I picked up on the steering cassette issue from googling and finding similiar issues with Discos so maybe a curved ball..

[Hobbes]

Did a bit of further digging in the threads and as you said the issue is often a loose connector under the seat or behind the glove box.

We've put off seeing the car until tomorrow (flying from sydney to Melbourne) I wouldn't trying a quick fix if possible as the car has no RWC and time is of the essence.

Anyone got a systematic approach for a possible quick fix? ie 1) ignition off 2) reset under seat plug etc etc???

many thanks
Chris

[p38arover]

Anyone got a systematic approach for a possible quick fix? ie 1) ignition off 2) reset under seat plug etc etc???


Even if you found the fault, you'd need a diagnostic computer, i.e., a dealer (or your own) to reset the fault. Been there, done that.

The SRS is a safety device and it can't be reset with an ignition cycle.

[wayneg]

If you are looking to buy the car keep quiet and negotiate $1k down on the price. Its a real good chance the connectors under the seats just need un-plugging and re-plugging. I have seen this work on 3 cars. The warning light goes off and nothing needs to be reset. A fault might be stored but does not effect anything. The plugs and wires are bright yellow so cant be missed.

[PaulP38a]

Buy the car if that is the only real issue, then come and see me in Canberra on your way back to Sydney... or I semi-regularly get up to Sydney anyway. I have a Faultmate to clear the SRS fault for a very reasonable price (I like red wine and/or Corona ;)).

Cheers, Paul.

[p38arover]

Buy the car if that is the only real issue, then come and see me in Canberra on your way back to Sydney... or I semi-regularly get up to Sydney anyway. I have a Faultmate to clear the SRS fault for a very reasonable price (I like red wine and/or Corona ;)).

Cheers, Paul.

Oi! I like red wine, too, and I'm closer. :D

I can use my Testbook (if I can frind the SRS dongle I bought for it).

[szo]

I was able to clear my SRS fault light by disconnecting the battery overnight.
It didn't work the first time ,but then I was told to ground the positive cable to the negative cable with a bit of wire overnight. And it worked like a charm. It also gave me one touch windscreen washers, which I didn't have before, even though the battery had been out a few times.:)

Cheers Brad.

[Hobbes]

Gentleman!
Thanks for all your advice and, Paul and Ron, the huge offer of a Textbook zap!

So Wednesday night, viewing arranged, all set to go to Melbourne with plane ticks (unrefundable), workshop manual, torch and cash and our vendor calls to say that it's sold sight unseen on ebay..All fairness to the seller, he was really apologetic and offered to refund the flights which is pretty fair dinkum I think.

So the search continues for very well cared for sub 150K Thor engined 4.6HSE in black or silver....preferably near Sydney (or Canberra:)....

doh!
chris

[WasabiPimpNinja]

Shame to hear that mate, there must be a better one waiting just around the corner...

On the bright side, when I bought my 2000 HSE it had the SRS warning on the dash. Mine was a loose connecter under the drivers seat. For memory it was a yellow wire that ran to the belt buckle. I resoldered a new connecter on there and it seemed to fix the problem, though I didn't have a testbook to clear it. I did however have an el cheapo OBDII scanner off ebay that cleared the fault straight away. It has never come back, touch wood.. So use it as a bargaining tool. An SRS warning light means a non roadworthy car, which means cheap prices. Little do they know how easy it is fix ;)

Cheers,
Keels.

[ytt105]

Hobbes

How much you looking to pay.

My mate rang me last night, he's thinking of selling his 2000 HSE, that 'dark grey' colour.

We're both in Canberra.

Regards
Trevor

[Hobbes]

Hobbes

How much you looking to pay.

My mate rang me last night, he's thinking of selling his 2000 HSE, that 'dark grey' colour.

We're both in Canberra.

Regards
Trevor

Thanks Trevor,
Most seem to be privately advertised 14K>16K...
Want to PM me with some pics and details?

cheers
Chris

[RR P38]

Apparently if the in dash warning bulb for the SRS is blown it will light up the SRS fault in the message centre.

[p38arover]

Apparently if the in dash warning bulb for the SRS is blown it will light up the SRS fault in the message centre.

Yes. As I found out when I turned on the ignition with the dash disconnected. The system saw that as a blown bulb.