S80 airbag light fix?

[boomish]

I have a 1999 S80 and its had an airbag light for a few years now, I had it reset a few times at Volvo before a mechanic said don't worry about it. Now with new MOT laws I have to get this fixed or get rid of the car.
I have bought a Vida lead and software and got the codes through of Too high resistance 1 & 2, a friend said if remove the bag and clean the contacts it might sort it or it is to do with the coil in the steering column?

Any clues on how easy this is or any experience on this? it's such a lovely car I'd love to be able to fix it and can't afford another car or to get it to the Volvo garage now so really appreciate any help.

[reggit]

I had too high resistance on some of my airbags when I got the car, it turned out they weren't connected!

Which one is troublesome on yours? I'm assuming drivers side when you mention steering column?

[boomish]

Thanks for the reply Reggit, ahh I've had the car for many years so it's def connected, someone went in the back of us some years ago and it kinda started not long after that, I think they shorted a few things when it was repaired.
I found a video online on how to take the airbag out, so I'll give that a go and clean the connectors, looks very dangerous though so best handle with care. I have some switch cleaner that leaves no residue. I just wondered if it was anything further into the wiring.

[Unreal master tech]

Hi mate if the codes relate to the passenger side and the car does not have one fitted its likely the srs module is fooked it's a known fault on the early cars that this could happen can you confirm it is the drivers side? Also the air bags have gold plated terminals to prevent resistance fluctuations as this would result in potential problems so I advise leaving these alone for your own safety!!! If the airbag is connected you really need to get a proper electrician to check the resistance from the srs module to the air bag connections with the srs connector disconnected and battery also disconnected to see where it is broken this will show exactly where the fault lies!!

[reggit]

Originally Posted by boomish

Thanks for the reply Reggit, ahh I've had the car for many years so it's def connected, someone went in the back of us some years ago and it kinda started not long after that, I think they shorted a few things when it was repaired.
I found a video online on how to take the airbag out, so I'll give that a go and clean the connectors, looks very dangerous though so best handle with care. I have some switch cleaner that leaves no residue. I just wondered if it was anything further into the wiring.

Disconnect your battery at least 10 minutes before you start working on the airbag system. When you've finished, turn the ignition to position 2 before reconnecting the battery. This is the recommended method, incase an airbag deploys - at least you aren't in the car with it.

If things have been shorted, it springs to mind that the airbag could be faulty?

[boomish]

Great replies guys thanks, never thought to check if it was the drivers side, yes there is no passenger air bag, and I do recall seeing a message it was the passenger airbag at fault.
I knew about the battery disconnect Reggit but thanks for the recon advice
I didn't know that. I'm an audio engineer so pretty safe around electrical bits but I know this could be disaster if handled incorrectly. I'll check if it's airbag or module, I saw some not too expensive on EBay.

I've got fix this and an engine Managment light which I presume will be the ETM, and I thought that might be solved with a simple clean, I hope so anyway.
Thanks again for the advice, at least I know we're to start looking!
Alan

[harveys]

Could be the seatbelt pretensioner wires or have they fired.

[reggit]

Originally Posted by harveys

Could be the seatbelt pretensioner wires or have they fired.

Pre tensioner is only singe stage (as are sips bags) so won't generate the two warnings.

[boomish]

It's been a while but the dreaded MOT is coming soon and as I understand it I have to have all warning lights cleared..
So I got a new siren module and replaced that today! and thanks to the guides on here it was quite straightforward, the siren fastener was even secured with a bolt so I didn't even have to drill it out! feeling very happy with the my beloved Volvo.

But now the dreaded airbag fault, thanks for all the advice yes it is a passenger airbag fault, saying resistance is too high, Stage 1 & 2 and I can't clear it no matter how many times I reset the ECM with Vida, I have checked under the seats and all wiring looks ok.
So has anyone got advice what to do? replace the SRS module? is that easy?
I also noticed another error today I'd not seen before Variable Camshaft signal too low.


I really appreciate any advice, I'm really short of cash so can't afford to take it to Volvo, and I've had the car over 10 years no so be a shame if it had to go, apart from the lights it runs fine..