SRS light on then Bang!!

[moet]

Hi, Im new to this forum and Land rovers. Picked up a second hand disco yesterday from car yard. 2001 series 11. SRS light was on dash. Asked car yard. They said just drop it in to my mechanic and get it reset. Got in it this morning. Went to start it and there was a loud BANG! seatbelt slammed tight on me and smoke filled the cabin (I jumped out of the car). No airbag was deployed. Need to know if its safe to drive. Of course its a sunday and a long weekend so no one is answering their phone. Can anyone give me advise. (please don't tell me I've bought a lemon).;)

[101RRS]

Dunno if it is safe to drive but the seatbelt retraction system has fired - uses a small charge.

Definitely be taking it back to get reset/recharged.

Garry

[wardy1]

Hi mate, sorry to hear of your drama but first.... don't panic! Chances are only very slight that you've got yourself a lemon.
Someone here will no doubt have had something similar happen and will know exactly where to tell you to look.
Just so that any help you get is credible, how about some details on the car.
Is it a V8 or Td5? Manual or Auto? How many k's. You said that there was smoke..... where did it come from? Are you sure it was smoke and not the white powder which deploys with an airbag?
My initial thoughts are that the explosive canister for your airbag has gone off but for some reason hasn't actually deployed the airbag. This is more than likely because someone has fiddled with it at some stage. Is there any bulging in the middle of the steering wheel?

To answer your last question, if the car still drives ok and there are no other warning lights on, it's probably ok to drive it, just don't crash it ;)

I hope this helps..... oh yeah... welcome to the forum!

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

Did the car yard give you a road worthy?
If it was given and the srs light was on then it would not have passed a roadworthy so put it all back on them.

[moet]

Thanks for your replies. Its a 2001 compliance Land rover discovery auto V8 S with 128000km. Been a city car, very clean and no hard knocks. No roadworthy certificate (i'm in NSW) but independant inspection report said it was very well maintained and in good nick for its age. There was no SRS light showing when we test drove it last week but it showed up yesterday when we picked it up. Of course there is no warranty (vehicle is over 10yrs old)
There was definitely smoke (could smell it as well as see it) it appeared to come from under the dash but I could be wrong. I was in a hurry to get out! Theres no bulging in the steering wheel. I'll try to get into the local mechanics on tuesday. Just hope its not huge $$$$$$$

[gazk]

One or both seatbelt pretensioners has fired. They are the tube shaped bits connected to the seatbelt belt socket mounted on the front seats. It is usually obvious when one has gone off.

Where in NSW are you ?

[clubagreenie]

I've never purchased a car (also in NSW) and not received a pink slip.

[Banjo_pluker]

It is law in NSW but not usually done so they should fix as you said you left with the light on. Might be a fight though

[Banjo_pluker]

Roadworthy that is

[Blknight.aus]

by the letter of the law... you can not sell a vehicle with an out of service SRS system if one is fitted.

the SRS system components that are reactive have a life of 10 years and must be replaced at that time. If the roadworthy guy was worth his salt he could have checked the date of manufacture on the tensioners and the vehicle would have failed roadworthy.

Might be worth bringing that up with the the car yard along with the service instructions for the SRS out of the landrover Rave.

[moet]

Thanks again. I have left a message with the dealer. They wont be back til tuesday. Will see what happens then.
I'm near Penrith in NSW but the car was purchased in Brookvale. Can anyone recommend a mechanic near Penrith if the car dealer won't help?

[clubagreenie]

KLR isn't it at Kingswood is probably the closest to you.

[UncleHo]

G'day Moet :)

The "Rave" that Blknight.aus is referring to is the"rave" CD available from the shop (up in gold border at top of page) which is for various models very compresensive.

cheers

[OffTrack]

Sound like it was a wiring or SRS ecu fault because the pretensioner needs a triggering voltage to fire the charge. You'll really need to get someone to check the SRS ECU codes to identify the root cause of the fault.



the SRS system components that are reactive have a life of 10 years and must be replaced at that time. If the roadworthy guy was worth his salt he could have checked the date of manufacture on the tensioners and the vehicle would have failed roadworthy.


LR revised the replacement age of airbags/pretensioners on the D2 from 10 to 15 years. That would make replacement for 2001 D2 due in 2016 - a few years off still.

From what I can tell replacement is at a manufacturer specified age, and I can't to find any legal requirement for replacement at 10 years. In Victoria the only roadworthy requirement relating to airbags/srs is that the warning light is not illuminated.

FWIW RACV claim they are yet to see evidence of older airbag systems failing to fire in an accident.

older airbags - RACV (http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/internet/primary/my+car/car+safety/safety+equipment/airbags/older+airbags/older+airbags)

cheers
Paul

[Mudsloth]

lol, im a bit worried now, the srs light has been on for years in my d1.....

[Landover]

lol, im a bit worried now, the srs light has been on for years in my d1.....

If it hasn't gone off by now after them things you throw it into you should be ok;).

[RR P38]

Pretty sure you are entiltled to a Statutory 5000km 1m month warranty.
And yes the vehicle should be fit for sale ie road worthy.
Is he an MTA dealer?


If every SRS vehicle on the road that is over 10 years old had its air bags replaced at 10 years of age i would be amazed.