SRS Air bag Fault

[TheoP38a]

Hi All,

I have entered the world of p38 about 18 months ago in the typical P38 way.
Bought it on ebay sight unseen,it looked hot in the pics, still does and I was lucky I believe that it turned out OK. Oh except for the 4 air bags which I replaced with the Arnott Gen III, the radiator, the brake accumulator and replaced the O rings in the manifold block. That was all in the first month. Since then smooth sailing so to speak. I've owned some nice cars but this one I love the most.

Recently with the weather heating up I am getting an SRS air bag fault when the car has been sitting in the sun. Once I start the car and the aircon cools it down, I can turn ignition off and restart and the fault clears.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to where I should be looking or is this a job for a workshop speacialist. Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers, Theo

[Craig_Keira]

Of you don't have access to dish tools, take a guess... Remove the drivers side lower dash fascia. The airbag loom is yellow with red plugs. In that area you'll find a plug. I bent the pins on mine slightly after it caused this fault 3 times. See how you go.

[Hoges]

As per previous post, but... disconnect the starter battery first -both terminals and wait for at least 15 mins to allow the capacitors to discharge. ( If any airbag accidentally discharges from a short circuit, you will need to replace the whole wiring harness, as well as the airbag(s)).

Check the bright orange plug under the dash is properly connected as suggested. There are also plugs under both front seats* -it's worth inspecting these as well. Reconnect the battery...

* the plug under the driver's seat has also been occasionally reported to trip a fault from being disturbed by constant back/forth adjustment of the seat

[Rupert Prior]

is it only the message display that is telling you there is an air bag fault, or is the warning light on as well? what year model p38 do you have? air bag faults do not nomally self clear, if you can get to the Bexley area let me scan it for fault codes, then i can tell you what direction to go in. my pn is 0421 509083. regards Rupert

[TheoP38a]

Thank you all for you quick response. I will look at these plugs after the New year as I'm house bound after a hernia op before Christmas.

I have the 98 P38 HSE

Thanks Rupert for your offer, I am in Bexley myself and I will give you a call in the New Year once I'm a little more mobile.

Cheers Theo

[TheoP38a]

I also forgot to mention the SRS airbag fault comes up in the display window and the red SRS light also comes up on the dash

Regards Theo

[PaulP38a]

98 models dont have SRS airbags in the front seats so your problem is most likely the rotary coupling in the steering column.
You can remove the steering wheel to inspect the connections on the rotary coupling to the airbag. Follow Hoges' suggestion for leaving the battery disconnected for 15 mins first.

[TheoP38a]

Thanks Paul, I will check.

Is there a proceedure for removing the steering wheel? as I have never removed one with an airbag before.

Theo

[p38arover]

I'm surprised that the message and light clear. They don't normally do that on a P38A. Mine has a fault with the rotary coupler. I clear the SRS fault with T4 but when I start driving and turn the steering wheel, the fault message and SRS light return.

[Hoges]

Thanks Paul, I will check.

Is there a proceedure for removing the steering wheel? as I have never removed one with an airbag before.

Theo

All clearly explained in RAVE in the "Supplementary Restraint System".
Good luck with yr post op recovery!

[TheoP38a]

Thanks Hoges, I managed to download the RAVE manual and WOW! I didnt know that this was available.
Thank you once again to all for your help. I will be acting on this in the next week or two.
Cheers, Theo

[Hoges]

You're welcome...while you're at it, check out Range Rover Mark II / P38 (http://www.rangerovers.net/forum/7-range-rover-mark-ii-p38/) and newrremedies (http://www.rangerovers.net/newrremedies.html) There's oodles of hard won expertise... no doubt you will notice more than a few of the "usual suspects":D from here contributing to both fora:eek2:
cheers