Resetting service warning lights

[Fredxx]

Then don't make stupid claims. Not from you, definitely not. You have a history of spouting nonsense.

[dennis]

You don't normally need any equipment to clear a service warning light. In most cases its hold a particular button(s) in while turning the ignition on/off. Google will probably tell you which if the dealer/manual won't.

Example for an astra..

Turn the ignition on, one position before starting engine.

Press MENU button until on the display will appear vehicle information menu.

Rotate the button which has on it two arrows one up one down, is located next to the MENU button, until message Remaining oil life is displayed.

Press and hold button SET/CLR, press brake pedal and hold them for about

15 seconds.

Release SET/CLR button and brake pedal, switch ignition off.

[Cursitor Doom]

He only asked you to cite the relevant law! The fact that you have been conspicuously unable to do so has not gone unnoticed!

To the OP: looking on YT there one common factor that seems to be responsible in the vast majority of airbag failure warnings and that is insecure connector blocks under the two front seats. The blocks in question are colour coded yellow. Take a close look at 'em, wiggle 'em around a bit and see if the fault clears itself. Airbag warnings are not like maintenance warnings in that you cannot clear them without fixing the underlying fault first. That's bad news if the wiggling doesn't work!

[dennis]

So you claim but you have never shown me to be wrong by posting any substantive links. Just because you or TNP claims someone is wrong doesn't make them wrong, quite the opposite in fact.

[dennis]

Do you trust anyone that posts cr@p like this..

"A very useful tip, thank you. Before fiddling with the connector, you need to leave the car switched off for half an hour to discharge any residual current in the electrics. Otherwise, you might trigger the airbag. "

Maybe someone wants to ask him what this residual electricity is and where it goes after 30 minutes?

[Fredxx]

You make a stupid claim, it is up to you to back it up, that is how it works.

[Fredxx]

On the case of an airbag it can give a code indicating the sensor or the problem at hand.

[MrCheerful]

Have you ever heard of a capacitor?

[Fredxx]

There is a raft of storage devices used in electronic equipment. You should get out of that chair and in the real world some time. It's moved on since valves.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I'd be very surprised if there were any in a car capable of retaining a charge sufficient to trigger an airbag after 1/2 an hour. ;-)

[Harry Bloomfield]

dennis@home submitted this idea :

They use a charged capacitor, in case the 12v supply fails in an accident. It still allows them to fire in the event of the 12v failing.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Resetting things like airbag warnings may not be within the scope of some aftermarket devices. ODB is generally to do with engine emissions, etc.

[John Rumm]

You will note however that the guidance on the connector was provided by "JL, via email". Not the same person adding the second bit of advice, so the credibility of the latter does not necessarily have a bearing on the former.

[MrCheerful]

certainly, but it is why you wait, just in case.

[Roger Hayter]

I am not sure that the term "roadworthy" is well-defined in law. For instance, while it may be illegal to drive a car which has no MOT, I am less convinced that it is illegal to drive a car with a valid MOT that has a defective airbag warning light, whether or not a new MOT in the currnency of the old has drawn this to your attention. This may well be a matter of fact rather than of dogmatic opinion.

[Fredxx]

Look up supercaps, they are a large capacitor with a remarkable qualities.

I also think 1/2 an hour is a long time, and indeed suspect it is more likely seconds. However when the consequences of getting something like this wrong, even I would leave and make a hot drink before returning.

[Fredxx]

Except when the fire-brigade attend, they would disconnect the battery and expect the door bag to be inactive as a result.

[Peter Hill]

Why would they stock air bags as separate spares? Usually airbags would be sold as part of an assembly. For side air bags in the seat you have to buy a NEW seat. For a 10 year old car the cost of new parts alone for replacing the assemblies with air bags is uneconomic. The damage done by airbag deployment is usually enough to write off any car over 10 years old.

Dash is usually destroyed - huge amount of labor to replace the dash. Airbag deployment usually cracks the windscreen if there's a passenger. How many airbags? 2 front + unknown number of side bags. Collision sensor is not re-settable and has to be replaced.

And then there's still the damage from the accident that triggered the airbags.

Even if it's not your fault you need a replacement car.

If it has air bags your car better be worth over £10K to be repaired by insurance, cos this will be £5K by the time an insurance approved rip off repairer has had their cut. New passenger air bag will come as part of the dash assembly. £1000? New drivers air bag will come as part of the new steering wheel. £300? New seats will have side airbags in them. £1250 each (ford focus) £1500 if heated and £2500 if motorized?

[Huge]

[26 lines snipped]

You forgot the cost of a new bonnet and associated gubbins if the pedestrian protection system deploys.

[Peter Hill]

30 min after switching off may seem a bit excessive but it is STILL NOT SAFE. The air bag system isn't switched off by the ignition switch and is still ARMED. Battery has to be disconnected, then wait for circuit to discharge.

Mazda 323F service manual - "more than" 1 min.

1. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK position.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable and wait for more than 1 minute.
3. Remove in the order indicated in the table.