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On my honda civic 2002 lx 2dr. Coupe. I have a red srs light on.

Took it to a mechanic and the obd said it's "faulty driverside seatbelt switch" (sensor)

does anyone had this problem?
Honda dealer tells me to change the seatbelt buckle for $260 cdn. Can i do something else? Any suggestions?

Does canada have a lifetime warranty on seat belts?

 
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Similar to my problem with my 2001 Civic 4-dr EX. Car is currently at the dealer awaiting a new driver's side buckle. My SRS light came on. I found the service bulletin 06-009 concerning extended warranty 10 years/150,000 miles on the OPDS. I took it to the dealer. Dealer Mueller Honda in Highland Park IL called said it was not the OPDS but the switch in the buckle. Dealer stated that it is covered under Honda's lifetime warranty on seat belts.
I do work on the car myself except for warranty work. Here is one reason why: I planned to replace the engine coolant. Went to Schaumburg, IL Honda dealer parts dept. Honda Service Manual directs you to open engine block drain plug to drain coolant as well as open the radiator drain. Manual states replace the aluminum washer on the engine block drain bolt. Parts dept did not stock the washer! The Parts guy went to speak with the mechanics. He came back and said to me that the mechanics do not open the engine block drain when they do this work. So the Parts dept does not stock the washer. Obvious conclusion: So even though the dealer charges customers the "book rate" for the work which includes the time to open and drain block, customers do not get that service, their cars are not serviced according to Honda proceedures. And this dealer claims that they are better than non-honda service people/shops.

 
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Canada doesn't have the same lifetime warranty as they do in the US.
Why? I don't know.

It's only 5 yrs /100,000kms.

I have the same problem.
I called several dealerships. Not all have the same price.
Even their hourly rate can vary so call around.

For some reason on my 2001 Civic LX 4dr my mechanic couldn't read the SRS system. But the dealership already (after charging me 104.00) scanned the computer and it identified a faulty driverside seat buckle.

Anyone else have this problem where the SRS system can only be scanned by the dealer. my mechanic has a 2003 civic and he can read the SRS system in that year.

 
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Seem like this is a common problem on the Honda civic, have anyone seen any posting of a solution other than the dealer?

 
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Take the gamble and buy the buckle and replace it yourself, or have another mechanic do the work.

 
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honda canada WILL replace the part but you will be charged one hr labor to put it in..

 
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Are you sure about this? I just called two Honda dealers (west of Toronto) and they both say it is NOT covered (not even just the part plus paid labour)because my '02 is out of warranty. Seems that it's covered in the U.S. but not Canada.

The contact switch in the seatbelt buckle is flaky. There is a procedure to reset the SRS light that I have had to perform from time to time whenever the SRS light came on but now the light is coming on way too often.

I've disassembled the buckle (backed out the tamper-proof screws with a "grabit" tool for stripped screw heads) and the contact switch is pretty much sealed so spraying an electronics contact cleaner into the buckle doesn't do anything.

 
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. .

 
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charleswilk, my forum friend in Highland Park, IL:

This sounds almost identical to what I've had to deal with but with a few important exceptions, namely, that the dealerships don't seem willing to cover replacement and/or labor. My girlfriend also has a four-door 2001 Civic (though LX) with only 85k miles.

The SRS light came on. I reset it. Repeat until I got it scanned (thankfully for free) and dealer mechanic reported aforementioned front driver's seatbelt buckle assembly SRS sensor gone bad.

Cost to replace ~$300. (Part lists in US dollars ~$175) That's still too much and would rather go to a local junkyard for MUCH cheaper (and I have a security torx bit that should work nicely for the swap.) Though reaching the main bolt attached to the frame seems hard to access. (Any good pics and/or walk-thrus anyone?)

I called Honda corporate (800-999-1009) but made no progress on trying to convince them that the buckle issue should be covered under the broad issue of anything even remotely related to any systems that would tie-in to the OPDS (which is itself covered). Technically, they state that such a sensor might be covered under the 3 year/36,000 (and even then, perhaps only at their discretion.)

Update: I decided to fudge a bit and go to a different nearby dealership that doesn't know me or the car as neither have been there before. So, no history/back story available to influence (prevent) their ability to help me. I claimed the belt latch was coming undone periodically and inquired if it would be covered under a lifetime warranty on the seatbelts due to the safety concern. I was told that they'll happily order the part and swap it out free of charge (and along with the whole assembly, so goes the alleged bad sensor in question contained inside too.) I made sure to clear the light JUST before pulling in. Ya gotta work the system, think inside the box, think outside the box, and find (and exploit) the loopholes.

Conclusion: Free repair/replacement done successfully and without a hitch. It's too bad that a couple other posters suggested simply resigning to the apparent inevitability of costly parts and work. Be resourceful, be savvy, be strategic, and you'll enjoy the resulting amazement at how easily so many things go in your favor.

Thanks for the input everyone (especially Charles Wilk!) for helping my girl save $300!

 
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This thread was amazing.

I have a 2001 honda civic lx and when i hit 162,000 km i have a SRS light ON. Brought it to Ready honda (mississauga, ontario) and they found a sensor issue with the driver side seat belt buckle. They gave me a quote for 350 for the parts and 108+tax for the labor. I was furious that they will not cover. I called up HONDA CANADA and spoke to Jennifer from customer relations. Pleaded my case that in the U.S. they have a lifetime warranty on safety parts for HOnda's.

Guess what they have sent a letter to ready honda that honda canada will cover the parts and i'll cover the labor. I wanted everything to be covered but yes 108+tax is way better than 350+108 and taxes. Went last saturday Nov 6, 2009 and REady honda replaced my seat belt buckle and no more SRS light.

Give it a shot it worked for me.

 
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My daughter had the same problem on her 2002 Civic. Vancouver Honda told us that the warranty expired and it's not covered anymore. We have to fix it at our own cost of CAD430 plus tax. It is a faulty part and I can't believe that Honda is not fixing it, Right now, we are trying to deal with Honda Canada directly to see if we can get them pay for it. Is Jennifer still at the customr relations. May be we should call her!

 
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Peking,

You can give it a try, not sure if jennifer is still at honda canada. Send them a fax , detailing what you have done and what vacouver honda had advice, They will look at the case and check with the dealer.

Good luck
happy new year

 
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I have the SRS light on too on my 02 EX. I live in illinois, so if it turns out to be the seatbelt buckle, I presume it would be covered under the 10yr/150k warranty. Exactly what code or other indicators are pointing to a faulty seatbelt buckle?

 
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You would have to get the SRS codes read, It would most likely require a Honda dealer to do so. To the best of my knowledge a standard OBDII reader will not read them.

 
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yes CraigW is correct, i have an ODBII reader and it did not read any code. The dealer was able to advice that the srs code was pointing to a faulty driver side seatbelt buckle. With the SRS on, all airbags are disabled. Yes, Honda US covers 10yrs. For canada , you have to submit a case.

hope this helps, I was able to clear the SRS light before by following the "paper clip" procedure i found in one of the threads, but the light comes on after driving around 5-10 kms.

cheers happy new year

 
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Hey theman, I think you might be a little overly optimistic as to what they cover in the US. The official word over the phone when talking to a case manager was a warranty would only extend to 3 years/36,000 miles for such sensors. I urge those struggling with the costs to read (or re-read) my play-by-play on the exact breakdown process of how to get this done free of charge with no faxing corporate, sob stories, or bickering. Here's the link (hint: It's also the most lengthy article on this thread. Easy to find by scrolling.)

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...ml#post4442136

I'll paraphrase. They won't cover sensors, but they will replace the belt buckle if some mechanical defect is reported. Since the buckle assembly houses the sensor, when you replace the part as a whole you get the sensor inside replaced along with it.

They will look (as they did to me) for an SRS indicator light showing. Clear this right before you pull in and don't leave the suspiciously U-shaped paperclip where they'll see it. Tell them that the seat belt doesn't always fully latch or randomly pops undone while driving. And no, there's no debris that fell inside.

This way, they can address it as a safety issue stemming from a restraint defect. It'll be covered in the interest of consumer safety. Don't do this if you haven't had it diagnosed as such (and please, from a DIFFERENT dealership than where you'll be taking it to or they'll be on to you.)

If needing to initially diagnose your SRS light, sound smart and reference some related recall so they scan it without charging you. The best you can do without going too in depth is determining the DTC code of 1-1. This could relate to several specific parts and/or segments of wiring that are really beyond the scope of "civilian" testing. Let them do it instead to determine if it really is this pesky buckle sensor.

The labor on this job is no fun as they have to take out the entire seat and likely special-order the buckle assembly. The part is expensive too since this is what is known as your "seat belt pre-tensioners."

Notice the accordion-shaped ribbed covering surrounding the length from the back of the belt buckle to where it bolts onto the frame? This will contract rapidly, pulling the buckle down, tightening in the event of an accident. More specifically, there's an explosive charge in that little cylinder thing at the bottom that forcefully ratchets a gear to wind a cable coiled over it to shorten the buckle down as it runs the length of that accordion sleeve. See a video of it on YouTube and/or a cut-away to understand the mechanism.

In any case, if you follow my approach, you stand an EXCEPTIONAL chance of getting EVERYTHING covered free of charge as I did. Don't feel bad about doing it, they know they screwed up in installing an essential safety part integral to the SRS system that would go bad for so many people years down the road.

 
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Hello everyone, I'm a newbie to this forum I stumbled on this thread. Does anyone know in California if the vehicle in question has to be clean title? I just baught an 01 ex salvage title with SRS and ABS lights on, I did read somthing on a google search about the safty devices being covered for life. However, when I asked my neighborhood honda dealership parts associate about this, he quickly said the seatbelts were covered, but the vehicle would have to have a clean title (not salvaged) and have no record of being in an accident is this true? or should I have not opened my big mouth about it being a salvaged title? Thanks for any help.

 
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^^^Not likely they are required to provide coverage in your case.

 
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Well, they generally access a database that has your cars history before doing any work to it. It's like they keep a history for themselves of the work that was done to the car. www.myhonda.com. So they would know it's been salvaged so it might be a good thing that you said something. Otherwise it could have come out of your pocket. If the car was salvaged the problem might not be the buckle anyway, gotta get the code read.

 
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Okay thanks guys, I better get it scanned 1st.

 
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I do have the same problem like you... 2002 Civic EX, SRS light on; The Guy in the Garage (checked it for free with my 130k maintenance) told me It's the buckle ...

You know all these stories...

Actually i came to Madison,WI from Germany and I'll only stay till Jan 31 2012, so I have to have either to buy all tools or pay the garage...
I found a very good video how to erase the error just with a cable, I hope it will work with my EX.

The man who sold me the car has fixed Seat Covers and now I hope he only unfixed the contacts from the cables of the sensor.

Can anyone post a picture where i have to check the cables (from the sensor), i could only see some black and one yellow cable protectors under the seat and i won't risk to unfix another cable.
... If someone likes to contact or assist me by this issue I can come easily 50 miles or so.. I also like to have some help with a rust removal issue .. so feel free to contact me :-)
I'm a good craftsmen and can offer you to either give a hand on your Car-remodelling or to pay the beer we need that day

 
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I forgot to post the link:
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...t-7thgens.html

 
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Go to this site: Cartipsntricks.com , easy tutorials and videos, and learn how to bypass the faulty AIRBAG with a resistor. Works with airbags, seatbelt switches, anything srs related. Also shows how to reset the SRS light.

 
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thanks for the links, i tried those before when i had my SRS lights on , but they just come back after a few kilometers. it's a good temp fix,

cheers

 
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The high grade safety belt favors you to avoid injuring.
http://www.china-autoaccessories.com

 
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People, I keep trying to tell you exactly what to do. Why would anyone want to use a resistor and bypass their airbag?! Why pay a mechanic? Why try to frustrate yourself when attempting to fix it yourself? If you just follow the steps I've provided in my earlier posts you wouldn't be having this problem.

theman, seriously. I want to help you but if you don't follow my advice you'll keep getting frustrated. I'm eliminating the frustration since I've already gone through it and have this handed to you on a silver platter. We took it to the dealership and got it done free in about an hour. Drop it off, have lunch, read a magazine in the lounge, and get the keys handed back to you for a newly fixed ride! (For free!)