SRS Airbag service urgent

[silvermatt]

Hi Everyone,

The above alarm has just appeared on my car. I've done a search and it seems this is commonly caused by people fiddling with the electrics without disconnecting the battery. However, I haven't been fiddling! It just came on this morning after normal use.

Any ideas what I should try with this? I don't have VIDA DICE to check alarms and reset but given its just come on it suggests something has failed. I understand its an MOT failure plus I want to make sure the airbags work properly.

I have had alarm service warning alarm for months, could this be related. I understood the alarm warning just meant the siren wouldn't sound.

Any advice appreciated, especially if you know if this means the car is safe to use or not until fixed. Car is 54 plate XC90. Thanks in advance.

[cheshired5]

What's your battery voltage at rest when cold and once the engine is running?

[silvermatt]

I don't know I'll have to get a meter and check. The battery is only a few months old though. Car always starts first time every time.

Just another couple of thoughts occurred to me. It did coincide with use of the heated seats. First time I've felt the need to put them on since last winter. Also my wife had been driving so I had to move the seat before I started. I did read that the SRS cable runs under the seat and hence can be damaged this way.

Finally although I haven't messed with any electrics I have had a sticky indicator stalk. Its been a bit temperamental and sometimes fails to switch on when I move the stalk. Normally its fine with a second or third attempt. Could this be related?

I'll try and get it to my local independent garage early next week to see if they can read and reset the codes. But always appreciate any advice on offer. Thanks.

[cheshired5]

The reason I asked about voltage is that strange unrelated warnings can be triggered with low system voltage.
Your mentioning of heated seats makes me think further that your alternator may be failing under load.
Do the easy and free multimeter tests before paying for a code read.

[Horton]

You are quite right that the SRS light can come on when you disturb anything electrical, i.e. disconnecting a module, but in this instance I think you might actually have something wrong with the SRS system as you say you haven't touched anything related. I would suggest you go to a Volvo specialist and get the codes read, there's a good one near you in Wantage (VMS Cars).. Safety wise, if the light is on, your safety system isn't going to work as it should. If you don't have access to the right kit, I'd get it checked.

[reggit]

You are also likely to have a warning light illuminated, either the general warning triangle, or the red airbag light. What is your dash showing?

[silvermatt]

Hi everyone. Thought I'd update this thread as I got the issue resolved a few weeks ago. Sorry for the delay it took me a while to get it fixed as my we've just had a new baby hence my mind has been on other things!

So the long and short the nearside front airbag sensor was knackered. Apparently looked like water ingress and was issuing a high resistance alarm disabling the airbag system. All fixed with a new component but this cost me £120 (inc VAT) plus an hours labour to fit and reset.

In answer to that last question all I had was the red airbag symbol. I didn't have the red triangle in the centre of the dash. I know this as I do have an amber one regarding the alarm not working!

I never did get round to buying a multi meter but its on my list for the future. Thanks for your advice always appreciated. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.