MOT fail on SRS light

[mattie007]

ZS has just failed for the first time on that stupid SRS light.
I told him its a common issue that occurs when the seat is right back but he thinks it could be something else. I've unclipped the connections under the seat and sprayed but its still on. Any ideas?

[petet16]

Have you done both front seats ?

[mattie007]

Nope! Will give it a try :)

[mattie007]

Tried that and although the light goes off briefly, it comes straight back on, whereas before it just stayed on.

[petet16]

I would say the seat connectors are the source of the problem, especially as doing the passenger one did have an effect, you might need to disconnect them both and give them another spray.

[mattie007]

Could be, will give it another try later. Failing that, I've read I can remove the bulb and it will just be a advisory?

[petet16]

I've read that if you remove the bulb is an advisory as well, we need an mot tester to confirm that.

[M17TT180]

Yes they can't test something that isn't there. Like the 3rd brake light, a fail if it is there but not working, remove the whole unit, bulbs, plastic cover etc.. and pass!

[SARENG]

Try remaking the connectors using bullet or spade connectors.

[Noobrider]

get someone to plug it in to a proper code reader and it will tell you exactly where the fault is. Since this was introduced into the MOT we have had loads to check and it appears the whole airbag SRS module is prone to failure, not just the seat connectors.

[peterzs]

Wonder what will happen when the air bag, "sell by", date is passed.

Think it was 10 years and then they need replacing?????

Or do we just carry on?

[Dan1971]

What about disconnecting them - disconnecting the battery for 20 mins or so, so it forgets whats been going on - good clean and reconnecting the seats - then reconnecting the battery.

[mrmick]

Pete we carry on or there is gonna be a lot of mgs being broken for spares that no want will want as we aint got air bags to drive then legally

[OllieZS]

The airbag E.C.U is under the centre console by the handbrake, you could just unplug that and the SRS light goes away, obviously the airbags wont activate but they wont anyway with the SRS light illuminated.

[peterzs]

Pete we carry on or there is gonna be a lot of mgs being broken for spares that no want will want as we aint got air bags to drive then legally


Agree, whats the saying??

Keep calm and carry on!!!

[mattie007]

The airbag E.C.U is under the centre console by the handbrake, you could just unplug that and the SRS light goes away, obviously the airbags wont activate but they wont anyway with the SRS light illuminated.

Easy/safe to do?
Thanks for the help so far chaps :)

[mattie007]

Pete we carry on or there is gonna be a lot of mgs being broken for spares that no want will want as we aint got air bags to drive then legally


Agree, whats the saying??

Keep calm and carry on!!!

I've done a lot of that under MG ownership :D

[talkingcars]

Think it was 10 years and then they need replacing??????

I thought it was 15 yrs but the easy soloution is to take them from an newer car until we get to 2016 or 2021......

[peterzs]

Still got a few more years to go then, Talkingcars.

Suppose we are OK till it becomes a MOT check!!!

:happy2::happy2::happy2:

[andys1981]

my zs failed on the same reason,it must be the wires under the seats,the last time the light was on,had a wee look at the wires,gave them a wee wiggle,light went off and passed,then came back on later,the pass side connector was completely dissconnected at one point,pluged it back in then fine again,i think the kids are kicking the mats under the seats and disturbing the wires,on sunday i plan to fix this along with a few things,keep you posted matt

[OllieZS]

Easy/safe to do?
Thanks for the help so far chaps :)

Very easy to do, should take no more than a couple of minutes to get access, and is safe, you can always disconnect the battery 10 minutes prior.
To remove the rear section of trim around the handbrake, there are 2 screws either side that need to come out (you'll see the screws on the side of the trim more easily if you push both front seats fully forwards), directly below the handbrake in the plastic trim is a little cover, if you prise this off there will be 2 screws underneath, undo these and start to withdraw the rear section off of the handbrake. You will have to unplug the passenger side electric window switch aswell to fully remove this section of trim. Then the ecu will be accessible.

[Din]

Agreed, the rotary couplings are known to fail too.

[mattie007]

Excellent, will try that. What does the ecu look like and do I just unplug it?

[MG 53 ZED]

Try remaking the connectors using bullet or spade connectors.

I did this to the drivers side and have had no problems since, that was about two and a half years ago.

[Dan1971]

Excellent, will try that. What does the ecu look like and do I just unplug it?

Try just the battery first though ....

[OllieZS]

Excellent, will try that. What does the ecu look like and do I just unplug it?

Its a smallish silver/grey metal box, its the only thing there like it, just unplug! similar plug connection to the window connections, i would unplug the battery for 10 mins prior just to be on the safe side.

[James Raby]

MOT can't fail on SRS warning light - FACT!

[petet16]

Have a read http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-servicing-repair/mot-changes-2012.html

[POMPSKI]

The vehicle will also fail if a Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) malfunction indicator lamp indicates a system malfunction.

Useful link pete.

[James Raby]

didn't go live, several MOT stations have confirmed this to me

[petet16]

Some variation in applying the rules then as Mattie failed on the SRS light,
http://www.themgzs.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?t=26024

[andys1981]

MOT can't fail on SRS warning light - FACT!

mines and matties did!!

[Din]

It is live, it's in the manual now !

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_540.htm

[andys1981]

today i tackled these wires under the front seats,i couldent find terminals to crimp the wires together,so i just used a cable tie,and tightened the yellow clips together,and the light has went out,it appears that it was my drivers side that was the problem,it seems to have worked,so fingers crossed mate,could be as easy as that to fix

[mattie007]

Battery off didnt work. Cables tied and sprayed the wires to no avail. So took the armrest off and I can see 2 connections. One I disconnected and the SRS light stayed on. The second, thicker cable under the handbrake is all taped up with no sign of a terminal to unclip.

[stamford]

Have you determined which unit is causing the warning light to be illuminated? The other option would be to stick a resistor (0.6w, 4.7ohm) across the unplugged terminals to turn the light off, not ideal but would get you a pass until such time you got it looked at properly.

[Ritchy]

I think atthis stage you need to have the codes read to see what it is, may need to hard wire the connectors together

[mattie007]

Managed to get it switched off! Unplugged the airbag unit, took the battery off then reconnected everything and passed the MOT. Thanks for the help everyone, hopefully the zeds good enough for one more year. Should see it past 100k as well :)

[andys1981]

good glad to hear it mattie,its frustrating that one small light can cause a failure,at least its passed no more worrying.

[mattie007]

Thanks Andy, hope yours is ok too.

[andys1981]

mines has been fine mate