Airbag help for a newbie!

22nd August 2012, 20:49

Hi guys, my name's Rob, I'm new to the club after picking up a VTR at the weekend. So far I'm enjoying it, what a fun and nippy little car

I've been a member of several car forums over the years and always found them to be a massive help and an enjoyable side of ownership! Hopefully you guys can help me already!

My airbag light is constantly on (not flashing) A quick Google search would suggest its a common problem and the resistor trick seems to be the way forward from what I've read. However all the pictures of wiring I've seen are different to mine and I'm confused about how or even if I can use a resistor on my seats. This is my floor and seat

As you can see it, its simply one orange wire from the floor and one orange wire from the pre-tensioner which just plug together under the seat. I've cleaned all the contacts but still no luck. Any help and advice would be gratefully received!

22nd August 2012, 20:54

Firstly, Welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy.

Does the light flash at all? and then go solid? or is it constantly solid from start up?

Usually a fault with the airbag system will cause it to flash (what the majority of people experience)

I'm not 100% sure, so don't take this as gospel, but a constant light could possibly mean the system has been activated in the past?

22nd August 2012, 21:00

try disconnect the battery leave for a while and re attach, this fixed mine but mine was flashing so :/

22nd August 2012, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_P

Firstly, Welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy.

Does the light flash at all? and then go solid? or is it constantly solid from start up?

Usually a fault with the airbag system will cause it to flash (what the majority of people experience)

I'm not 100% sure, so don't take this as gospel, but a constant light could possibly mean the system has been activated in the past?

Thanks for the welcome! There is no flashing at all, light comes on solid when the ignition us turned on and then just constantly stays on :/ That doesn't sound good!

22nd August 2012, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhysg

try disconnect the battery leave for a while and re attach, this fixed mine but mine was flashing so :/

Tried that mate, no luck! Thanks anyway though

22nd August 2012, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob-the-blue

Tried that mate, no luck! Thanks anyway though

ah okay, theres a module under the carpet behind the centre console and thats the only other thing i can think of :/ sorry mate

22nd August 2012, 21:06

if its the resistor trick you want to use mate, iirc its a 1.8ohm for the seat airbag and 2.2 for the steering wheel. Get the resistor you need from a maplins or something for a few pence mate if your not sure ask and they should know as its a common thing.

get it checked though mate not just easy fix it last thing you want is an airbag going off in your face

22nd August 2012, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaxoVTRben

if its the resistor trick you want to use mate, iirc its a 1.8ohm for the seat airbag and 2.2 for the steering wheel. Get the resistor you need from a maplins or something for a few pence mate if your not sure ask and they should know as its a common thing.

get it checked though mate not just easy fix it last thing you want is an airbag going off in your face

Thanks mate, yeah I think this may need looking at properly! The car has no write off history so I'm really hoping it hasn't been badly bodged after a smash!

22nd August 2012, 21:29

....but if the resistor is still an option, how and where would I connect it on the wires in my picture?

22nd August 2012, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob-the-blue

....but if the resistor is still an option, how and where would I connect it on the wires in my picture?

Across the 2 cores on the wires coming out of the floor. Cut the plug off, connector block, two wires in one side of the 2 blocks, resistor across the other side of the blocks.

22nd August 2012, 21:36

i couldnt say 100% but either trace the wire back to the airbag unit and plug the resistor in there or just put it in the end of the brown plug coming out from the carpet and solder it or leccy tape, i would have thought the same as when steering wheel is done.

Doesnt have to be a write off either, could have just been a small prang that was bodged and outside of insurance.

22nd August 2012, 21:39

Cheers guys, really appreciate your help! I'll have another look tomorrow

30th August 2012, 19:47

Did you make sure that the wires coming from the floor and the seat pretensioner are the same?

MK1 - Grey/Pink
MK2 - Brown/Blue

This helped me but I learnt about it lol.

5th September 2012, 21:21

Sorry guys, been away on holiday! Sorted this with a 2.2 ohm fused resistor from eBay. Chopped the plug off the wires coming from the floor, fitted them into a connector block then the resistor on the other side. Light comes on with ignition but goes out with the other warning lights when the car is started so thanks to everyone for their help!

5th September 2012, 21:27

I have same problem and mot coming up end of month is there a guide for this?

23rd December 2012, 12:03

hey rob, i have the same problem, can you post a picture of how you solved it please?

23rd December 2012, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtrbob

I have same problem and mot coming up end of month is there a guide for this?

There was a thread made about this with pics a couple of months ago mate,have a search.