Airbag Fault Message Centre

MrStu · 4th January 2014, 20:05

I can find references to airbag warning lights, but that's not my problem. I get a message in the message centre saying there's an airbag fault when I start the car, the message then disappears and doesn't come back. The airbag warning light isn't lit.

Is there a problem, and any suggestions on a fix? I don't remember it doing this before, but I've only had the car 2 weeks and was focussing on a locking/alarm problem before.

MOT on Monday :-/

sworks · 4th January 2014, 20:10

How long does the light come on for, Could it be just the self test? Is it the airbag logo or an error

stevestrat · 4th January 2014, 20:13

It isn't unknown for the less scrupulous to tamper with the airbag warning light, it should come on when you turn the ignition on before starting the car then go out again after a few seconds (self test). If a fault is present the airbag fault message will come up on the message centre after starting the car then go out but the airbag light itself should come on and stay on. The fact the message is coming up but not the airbag light leads me to think it has been tampered with?

This could cause you a problem with the MOT.

pab · 4th January 2014, 20:14

If the airbag icon fault is displayed in the upper message centre, it will then extinguish and the airbag light will remain illuminated in the lower display.

That is how the function works on these cars.

MrStu · 4th January 2014, 20:19

right, i'll pop out and check if the little warning light comes on too

*scampers off*

MrStu · 4th January 2014, 20:27

Great, I don't get the airbag or the seatbelt lights when I start the car. I guess someone's tampered with them? How do I untamper them?

The car's actually being MOT'ed by the guys I bought it from, should make a fun conversation.

sworks · 4th January 2014, 20:29

So the top display says there is a fault but the lower warning light doesn't illuminate? If so I would think the first thing is a new cluster. You may not have seatbelt warning fitted

pab · 4th January 2014, 20:33

That light should remain illuminated if the message centre gives the fault icon. One more test if you don't mind. Pop outside again and tell us if you get the lower airbag light illuminated as soon as you turn the key with the rest of the lights.

The seatbelt light only works if you have the correct seatbelt pretentioner which was for Euro markets.

MrStu · 4th January 2014, 20:38

that's the test I did, I turn the key, all the right lights come on, except the airbag one, I go on to start the car, the lights go out, and I get the infocentre message about the airbag fault. But still no airbag warning light.

It sounds like it's been tampered with, but I'm not going to be ripping my dashboard to check tomorrow.

I'll be having words with these guys as they were the last garage to MOT it.

stevestrat · 4th January 2014, 20:42

As Sworks and pab say don't worry about the seatbelt light. I repeat my suspicion that the airbag light has been tampered with. Either the airbag light LED has been removed (doubtful), covered with tape (possible) or the space between the LED and indication is blocked by something (again possible). Which ever it is it does mean you have an airbag fault.

If you've only had the car two weeks and as it's being MOT'd by the garage you bought it from you must have some kind of warranty.

4th January 2014, 20:05	#1
MrStu Avid contributor MG ZT 190+ mk2 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 150 Thanks: 4 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Airbag Fault Message Centre I can find references to airbag warning lights, but that's not my problem. I get a message in the message centre saying there's an airbag fault when I start the car, the message then disappears and doesn't come back. The airbag warning light isn't lit. Is there a problem, and any suggestions on a fix? I don't remember it doing this before, but I've only had the car 2 weeks and was focussing on a locking/alarm problem before. MOT on Monday :-/

4th January 2014, 20:10	#2
sworks Been absent for a while… Rover 75 Tourer, Classic mini Cooper S, Abarth 595 competizione, MG TF and a Hyundai Tucson PHEV Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cumbria Posts: 13,065 Thanks: 1,033 Thanked 1,686 Times in 1,040 Posts	How long does the light come on for, Could it be just the self test? Is it the airbag logo or an error __________________ ................................................. 'Marmite' Possibly one of the most famous 75 tourers produced! left the production line as the last of only Three Rover 75 tourers produced in Trophy Yellow. 48 hours later Longbridge closed. The last sold ordered 75 Tourer. Paid for by the Phoenix Four and handed over by John Towers to the Warwickshire Northampton Air ambulance service as a Rapid Response vehicle

4th January 2014, 20:13	#3
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,489 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	It isn't unknown for the less scrupulous to tamper with the airbag warning light, it should come on when you turn the ignition on before starting the car then go out again after a few seconds (self test). If a fault is present the airbag fault message will come up on the message centre after starting the car then go out but the airbag light itself should come on and stay on. The fact the message is coming up but not the airbag light leads me to think it has been tampered with? This could cause you a problem with the MOT. __________________ Steve T4 Location Map Last edited by stevestrat; 4th January 2014 at 20:20..

4th January 2014, 20:29	#7
sworks Been absent for a while… Rover 75 Tourer, Classic mini Cooper S, Abarth 595 competizione, MG TF and a Hyundai Tucson PHEV Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cumbria Posts: 13,065 Thanks: 1,033 Thanked 1,686 Times in 1,040 Posts	So the top display says there is a fault but the lower warning light doesn't illuminate? If so I would think the first thing is a new cluster. You may not have seatbelt warning fitted __________________ ................................................. 'Marmite' Possibly one of the most famous 75 tourers produced! left the production line as the last of only Three Rover 75 tourers produced in Trophy Yellow. 48 hours later Longbridge closed. The last sold ordered 75 Tourer. Paid for by the Phoenix Four and handed over by John Towers to the Warwickshire Northampton Air ambulance service as a Rapid Response vehicle

4th January 2014, 20:42	#10
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,489 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	As Sworks and pab say don't worry about the seatbelt light. I repeat my suspicion that the airbag light has been tampered with. Either the airbag light LED has been removed (doubtful), covered with tape (possible) or the space between the LED and indication is blocked by something (again possible). Which ever it is it does mean you have an airbag fault. If you've only had the car two weeks and as it's being MOT'd by the garage you bought it from you must have some kind of warranty. __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

4th January 2014, 20:14	#4
pab Banned MG ZT V6 190+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 33,223 Thanks: 41 Thanked 1,614 Times in 1,416 Posts	If the airbag icon fault is displayed in the upper message centre, it will then extinguish and the airbag light will remain illuminated in the lower display. That is how the function works on these cars.

4th January 2014, 20:19	#5
MrStu Avid contributor MG ZT 190+ mk2 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 150 Thanks: 4 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	right, i'll pop out and check if the little warning light comes on too scampers off

4th January 2014, 20:27	#6
MrStu Avid contributor MG ZT 190+ mk2 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 150 Thanks: 4 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Great, I don't get the airbag or the seatbelt lights when I start the car. I guess someone's tampered with them? How do I untamper them? The car's actually being MOT'ed by the guys I bought it from, should make a fun conversation.

4th January 2014, 20:33	#8
pab Banned MG ZT V6 190+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 33,223 Thanks: 41 Thanked 1,614 Times in 1,416 Posts	That light should remain illuminated if the message centre gives the fault icon. One more test if you don't mind. Pop outside again and tell us if you get the lower airbag light illuminated as soon as you turn the key with the rest of the lights. The seatbelt light only works if you have the correct seatbelt pretentioner which was for Euro markets.

4th January 2014, 20:38	#9
MrStu Avid contributor MG ZT 190+ mk2 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 150 Thanks: 4 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	that's the test I did, I turn the key, all the right lights come on, except the airbag one, I go on to start the car, the lights go out, and I get the infocentre message about the airbag fault. But still no airbag warning light. It sounds like it's been tampered with, but I'm not going to be ripping my dashboard to check tomorrow. I'll be having words with these guys as they were the last garage to MOT it.