Airbag light on and water damage.

skinnyL · 30th March 2022, 13:27

Hi all, My car in Spain (LHD) has been parked up in a car park in Alicante since 14 January 2020, just over 2 years. Apparently it has water damage to the front/rear? carpet/s as it has been very wet these past few months! Did not appearto leak at any time before it was parked up.

The car park people had to jump lead it to start it, then found it needed water in the radiator as it overheated once started, so topped it up. Car taken to a garage by Linea Directa recovery. A new battery has been fitted and the mechanic (british) stated that the airbag light stays on, well this used to happen intermittently, he has now hardwired the cable and the light went off presumably! He had mopped up a quantity of water?
The car then taken back to the carpark people for them to arrange for the ITV (M.O.T.) to be undertaken. (they have ways and means to increase the bill?) Anyway, airbag light still on this morning so not worth taking it for its I.T.V. I spoke to the garage again and they are going to check it again and then take it themselves for the I.T.V.
My query is, is it correct to hardwire the cable as they have done, i.e. future problems, incorrect operation of airbag.

I am aware of the problem with the water entering either through the sunroof or the sunroof drains as I have done this job on my Tourer a few years ago, so hope it is just through the sunroof.
All advice appreciated.

Yorkshire GOC · 30th March 2022, 13:41

Would suggest one or both of your side impact sensors has been damaged - they are under the front carpet so your water ingress has probably goosed them. As to hard wiring - when you switch the engine on does the airbag light illuminate at all ? It should for a few seconds then go off - if at an MOT the light does not come on at all you will be failed.

The link below will give you some direction.

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=227522

skinnyL · 30th March 2022, 14:34

Thanks for that.

I am in Scotland and not with the car so relying on unknown others to advise me on the problems and actions that can be taken, so a wee bit awkward.
One is over a barrel so to speak and the situation could soon get out of hand cost wise, although I do not mind paying for honest /needed repairs, they could soon do work not necessary i.e. one mechanic wanted to start repairing the 'rattle from the engine manifold' until I told him not to bother as it has always been like that and is not detrimental to the running of the car. As the car is a 2002 I am assuming the 'side impact sensors' are obtainable and as you state these are probably goosed. If the car cannot get through this m.o.t. I shall have it transported to my place in Spain about 2 hours from Alicante and I shall remove the carpets and repair/replace the parts etc and hope all ok, as I do not want to scrap the car as it has only done around 80,000 klm and is in good condition, paint and bodywork.

Yorkshire GOC · 30th March 2022, 14:42

Have a chat with the guys at DMGRS - they certainly sell the sensors - i think they changed in mid 2003 - so my car has the green sensors - i think they may be orange pre 2003. But they will advise you.

https://www.dmgrs.co.uk/products/75-...nuine-mg-rover

vitesse · 30th March 2022, 15:31

Don't think you'll have much luck at DMGRS with sensors for your 2002 as I'm pretty sure it will have the larger green ones YDB100310. There's one on eBay at the moment but they want £57 for it.

You could post in the wanted section or contact MickeyBoy the forum s/h spares guy.

And rather than be at the mercy of guessing mechanics, get yourself a copy of the freeware Toaf (use the search), and you'll be able to tell which part of the SRS system is playing-up.

Good luck

skinnyL · 30th March 2022, 15:41

thank you very much for the info. Jim

hogweed · 30th March 2022, 17:48

TOAF *may* have the facility to disable various SRS sensors, to get you through the MOT or whatever.

Mine is a later car, with a different system, for which the TOAF authors released a separate module, the SRStool, but I don't think it would work with yours... worth downloading TOAF and checking if it will help you out, though

skinnyL · 30th March 2022, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogweed

TOAF *may* have the facility to disable various SRS sensors, to get you through the MOT or whatever.

Mine is a later car, with a different system, for which the TOAF authors released a separate module, the SRStool, but I don't think it would work with yours... worth downloading TOAF and checking if it will help you out, though

Thanks for that. I am not that up on TOAF or how to download it, nor what leads I need, so I think I shall have to hope these guys are able to figure something out. Trouble is I personally find that not a lot of mechanics like to work on Rover 75s. It would be helpful if the airbag light could be disabled so that I could get it to my Apartment 2 hours drive away then I would have time to determine the water prob and be able to repair same.

Many thanks.

hogweed · 30th March 2022, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinnyL

Thanks for that. I am not that up on TOAF or how to download it, nor what leads I need, so I think I shall have to hope these guys are able to figure something out.

No problem, let me know if I can help - I can send you a zip of TOAF if you decide you want it, then you would need a lead (about a tenner) from eBay, and solder 2 of the pins together.

I know you'd prefer a simpler solution, but to do some of the Rovery things you need an ex-dealer beast called a T4, which only a few of the guys have. TOAF is a free Rover 75 utility - hasn't got all the facilities of T4, but can be very useful, and there are some things which even decent mechanics simply can not do to 75's without a dedicated tool

skinnyL · 30th March 2022, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogweed

No problem, let me know if I can help - I can send you a zip of TOAF if you decide you want it, then you would need a lead (about a tenner) from eBay, and solder 2 of the pins together.

I know you'd prefer a simpler solution, but to do some of the Rovery things you need an ex-dealer beast called a T4, which only a few of the guys have. TOAF is a free Rover 75 utility - hasn't got all the facilities of T4, but can be very useful, and there are some things which even decent mechanics simply can not do to 75's without a dedicated tool

Hi, Have sent a private message.

Thanks

30th March 2022, 13:27	#1
skinnyL Avid contributor Rover 75 2003 2.5 V6 Auto Conn Tourer (Scotland) Rover 75 2000 2.0 V6 Conn (Spain) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Dunfermline Posts: 175 Thanks: 33 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Airbag light on and water damage. Hi all, My car in Spain (LHD) has been parked up in a car park in Alicante since 14 January 2020, just over 2 years. Apparently it has water damage to the front/rear? carpet/s as it has been very wet these past few months! Did not appearto leak at any time before it was parked up. The car park people had to jump lead it to start it, then found it needed water in the radiator as it overheated once started, so topped it up. Car taken to a garage by Linea Directa recovery. A new battery has been fitted and the mechanic (british) stated that the airbag light stays on, well this used to happen intermittently, he has now hardwired the cable and the light went off presumably! He had mopped up a quantity of water? The car then taken back to the carpark people for them to arrange for the ITV (M.O.T.) to be undertaken. (they have ways and means to increase the bill?) Anyway, airbag light still on this morning so not worth taking it for its I.T.V. I spoke to the garage again and they are going to check it again and then take it themselves for the I.T.V. My query is, is it correct to hardwire the cable as they have done, i.e. future problems, incorrect operation of airbag. I am aware of the problem with the water entering either through the sunroof or the sunroof drains as I have done this job on my Tourer a few years ago, so hope it is just through the sunroof. All advice appreciated.

30th March 2022, 13:41	#2
Yorkshire GOC I really should get out more....... Rover 75 connoisseur se v6 auto Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hull Posts: 2,064 Thanks: 1,842 Thanked 623 Times in 469 Posts	Would suggest one or both of your side impact sensors has been damaged - they are under the front carpet so your water ingress has probably goosed them. As to hard wiring - when you switch the engine on does the airbag light illuminate at all ? It should for a few seconds then go off - if at an MOT the light does not come on at all you will be failed. The link below will give you some direction. https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=227522 __________________ She came off the Longbridge Line on 20-05-2003 The Silver Machine was the 13th of 160 Rover 75's to come off the production line that day and is the 100th of 527 Starlight Silver Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Auto saloons listed in the build records produced world wide.

30th March 2022, 14:42	#4
Yorkshire GOC I really should get out more....... Rover 75 connoisseur se v6 auto Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hull Posts: 2,064 Thanks: 1,842 Thanked 623 Times in 469 Posts	Have a chat with the guys at DMGRS - they certainly sell the sensors - i think they changed in mid 2003 - so my car has the green sensors - i think they may be orange pre 2003. But they will advise you. https://www.dmgrs.co.uk/products/75-...nuine-mg-rover __________________ She came off the Longbridge Line on 20-05-2003 The Silver Machine was the 13th of 160 Rover 75's to come off the production line that day and is the 100th of 527 Starlight Silver Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Auto saloons listed in the build records produced world wide.

30th March 2022, 17:48	#7
hogweed I really should get out more....... Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norn Iron Posts: 2,958 Thanks: 942 Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts	TOAF may have the facility to disable various SRS sensors, to get you through the MOT or whatever. Mine is a later car, with a different system, for which the TOAF authors released a separate module, the SRStool, but I don't think it would work with yours... worth downloading TOAF and checking if it will help you out, though __________________ Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.

30th March 2022, 14:34	#3
skinnyL Avid contributor Rover 75 2003 2.5 V6 Auto Conn Tourer (Scotland) Rover 75 2000 2.0 V6 Conn (Spain) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Dunfermline Posts: 175 Thanks: 33 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Thanks for that. I am in Scotland and not with the car so relying on unknown others to advise me on the problems and actions that can be taken, so a wee bit awkward. One is over a barrel so to speak and the situation could soon get out of hand cost wise, although I do not mind paying for honest /needed repairs, they could soon do work not necessary i.e. one mechanic wanted to start repairing the 'rattle from the engine manifold' until I told him not to bother as it has always been like that and is not detrimental to the running of the car. As the car is a 2002 I am assuming the 'side impact sensors' are obtainable and as you state these are probably goosed. If the car cannot get through this m.o.t. I shall have it transported to my place in Spain about 2 hours from Alicante and I shall remove the carpets and repair/replace the parts etc and hope all ok, as I do not want to scrap the car as it has only done around 80,000 klm and is in good condition, paint and bodywork.

30th March 2022, 15:31	#5
vitesse I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gävle Posts: 2,532 Thanks: 395 Thanked 823 Times in 652 Posts	Don't think you'll have much luck at DMGRS with sensors for your 2002 as I'm pretty sure it will have the larger green ones YDB100310. There's one on eBay at the moment but they want £57 for it. You could post in the wanted section or contact MickeyBoy the forum s/h spares guy. And rather than be at the mercy of guessing mechanics, get yourself a copy of the freeware Toaf (use the search), and you'll be able to tell which part of the SRS system is playing-up. Good luck

30th March 2022, 15:41	#6
skinnyL Avid contributor Rover 75 2003 2.5 V6 Auto Conn Tourer (Scotland) Rover 75 2000 2.0 V6 Conn (Spain) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Dunfermline Posts: 175 Thanks: 33 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	thank you very much for the info. Jim