bob2002

First post here.

I have a 2002 Civic LX 1.7L

Recently my SRS light came on.
I went to my garage and they read the code and it is the seat belt sensor.
Needless to say my mechanic has to order the part and it will be a while until it gets fixed.

However someone told me that when the SRS light comes on it disables the whole system and now the air bags won't work either.

Is this true?

Thanks for any input and advice.

ezone

False.

bob2002

Thanks for the fast answer ezone.
I didn't think it did but you never know.

ezone

It will still try to deploy bags and tensioners as needed, if possible. It may fire at maximum because it has no idea if you are buckled in or not.

Run it into a tree at 50MPH and check it out.

HTH

bob2002

Thanks for the follow up ezone.
Makes sense.
I was unaware that the air bag could fire at more then one level of deployment.
What are the tensioners?

ezone

Charges in the seat belts, if equipped.
They would try to tighten the belt when fired.
Pulls you back into the seat by a couple inches.

HTH

bob2002

Something else I have never heard of either.
Going to look it up.

However I was reading about air bags and I could find nothing on what you said about the air bag deploying at different levels.
Everything I read says the air bag can only fire at single very, very fast speed.

Muirsy

there are airbags with 2 stages.. if your traveling under a certain speed on the one stage will fire. faster then that set speed then both go off

ezone

Yes.
Dual stage airbags.
Since early 2000s.
And the seat belt plays a part in the computers decision making process, in addition to speeds involved.

bob2002

Found something about deployment speed related to the sensor.

"CTS Belt Tension Sensors work in conjunction with vehicle passenger safety systems. Using strain-gauge technology, these sensors measure and relay the tension of the front passenger safety belt to the airbag deployment system— ensuring airbag deployment is proportional to the size and weight of the occupant."

My bad.

ezone

Got a link?
Those cars don't use that tech in the seat belts.
All they can sense is if the front belts are buckled or not.

bob2002

Here is the link:
http://www.ctscorp.com/automotive/se...ionsensors.htm

When you say those cars, you mean 2002 civic lx?

ezone

Ok those items/technology in the link are not used in your generation of Civic.... And yes, I meant your car.

I have not seen them used in any Hondas (yet).

bob2002

Ok, so now I am totally confused.....
I am in the eastern time zone so it's way past my bed time.


SRS light is on, code is showing the seat belt sensor.
Do I replace or ignore?
I am getting a mixed message.
If it has nothing to do with the deployment of the air bag I will ignore.
If it has something to do with the deployment of the air bag I will fix.
Which is it?

Thanks again for your valuable input.

ezone

Ok, so now I am totally confused.....

You changed the subject. Not me.


I am in the eastern time zone so it's way past my bed time.

It isn't getting earlier here either.


SRS light is on, code is showing the seat belt sensor.
It is extremely common.


Do I replace or ignore?

Up to you.

I am getting a mixed message.

Not from me


If it has nothing to do with the deployment of the air bag I will ignore.
If it has something to do with the deployment of the air bag I will fix.
Which is it?

Think about this: Do warning lights come on for absolutely no damned reason?


Yes, it is there for a reason.

Yes, it is needed for proper airbag operation.
No, this particular fault won't keep the bags from deploying. They just can't operate as designed.

And if you leave that idiot light on---how will you know if there is ever a more serious problem that causes the bags to be disabled?







Here is another valuable clue:
USA cars had a lifetime seatbelt warranty.
Many dealers will warranty the buckle for the airbag light problem.
Many others won't.
TECHNICALLY, it is not a warranty matter.
Some dealers still cover it anyway.
HINT: If the buckle cannot latch, that is definitely a warranty matter.
Read your owners manuals. Page 309 in a manual for a 4 door.
Might be worth a few phone calls.


Thanks again for your valuable input.
YW

lollygagger

The seat belt sensor should be covered by Honda. I've seen it floating around here somewhere that they replace this free of charge. Getting them to check it is another story. They charged me to scan it and my issue was the SRS module. I never replaced it, someone hit me at 30...combined speed maybe 40 and the airbags deployed without a hitch.

amber09

I had the exact same thing happen in my 2002 Civic. If the code is for the seatbelt then the Honda dealer will fix it for free because seatbelts have a lifetime warranty. However, if they run the code and find it not to be the seatbelt it is a $100 fee for running the test, on top of the cost of the repair. When I got mine fixed however, they said 90% of the time it is the seatbelt.