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MOT and an airbag light

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airbag
9K views 43 replies 20 participants last post by  Mighty-147 
#1 ·
MOT failed - airbag warning light is on.
Checked and cleaned all 4 yellow plug and sockets .. still on
Had a friend with a Multiscan (I think is the name) check any errors but there are none showing. Plugged it in the socket under the dash (by the fuses)
Do you have to plug in anywhere else ?
Any other pointers would be a help
Thanks in advance
 
#2 ·
Are you using the correct cable?
A standard one won't connect to airbags ECU...
 
#8 ·
after cleaning all the yellow sockets, turn the ignition to MAR wait for all lights to go off then turn ignition back off.

Repeat 3 times. Leave the car for about an hour and come back to it. hey presto light is now off.

Know this because I did the same, got pi**ed off because it didn't turn off, went inside for a cuppa and a episode of wheeler dealers then got back in the car and no light! has happened a couple of times - now this is my tried and tested method.
 
#41 ·
Brill!

What model car and date is your Alfa please?

I have a 2001 147. The light will not go off.

I've soldered all known connectors.
It's been reset many times by a technician.

I know that a 2004 onward 147 can reset it's Airbag Warning Light if the glitch is temporary.

I'll try this method but my next mission is simply to source a 2004 onward airbag ECU and swap it over!!!
 
#14 ·
It is a recent change.
Until recently, if the light didn't come on, it was a fail.
Now if the light doesn't come on at all, it is not a fail.
 
#16 ·
That's only for Airbag / SRS systems and you get an advisory that the lamp doesn't illuminate.
Other lamps;
ABS light MUST work, and go out when the engine is running (all other procedures for checking, such as time limits have been removed).
Engine Management Lamp isn't part of the MOT - we don't care if it's on or not!
EPS lamp must work.
DSC lamp must work.
Brake warning lamp must work.
If you have HID headlights, cleaning devices must work.

Other popular misconceptions cleared;
A catalytic convertor must be present if it left the factory with one. Petrols only, at this time.
Battery security is now part of the test.
Inner cv boots are now testable.
Spare wheel must be secure, but no check on condition!
Rear wipers are not testable.
Front fogs are not testable.
Brake imbalance has changed, it is now 30% on each axle (was 25% on front only). Actually better for the customer, because the readings are now taken at full brake effort, not continuously through the whole range as before. If it fails now on imbalance, it MUST be bad!!!
Wiring security and condition is testable now as well, so watch out for those speaker and amp cables lying haphazardly around the boot!
 
#20 ·
Ok.. had it to a local garage and hes had a look... Error codes brought up everything Drivers side airbag fault, passenger..drivers side curtain, passenger side curtain, ecu... so much so that it cant possibly have a fault everywhere - cleared the codes and they just popped back up again and the led is still on.
Where is the control box ? and can you unplug one and plug another in? or do they have to be coded to the car ?
Oh and any other ideas would be appreciated
 
#24 ·
David I did not ! did you ? they tested a 30 year old Mercedes and the airbags went off like they were installed yesterday !
this 10 year lifespan is just to prevent any legal issues if after 10 year the airbags did not deploy !
afaik nobody replaced airbags and squibs after ten years !!!
 
#26 ·
I've encountered several answers from several garages to the airbag light MOT fail or not question so I've spoken with VOSA for an answer. There are only 3 written rejections, these are an obviously missing airbag (switched off passenger side does not count), a seat belt pre-tensioner missing or deployed and an "illuminated malfunction indicator lamp". VOSA say if the light does not come on there is no requirement to test the system any further, it's an advisory - not a fail.

To balance this, of course, the airbag system should be working for your and your passenger's safety.
 
#28 ·
As an update albeit a week late.
Went to the local Scrappers and took an airbag ECU out of a similar car (obviously one without crash damage !). Put it in mine and had the faults reset by a local garage (£10 for the reset)
Airbag light comes on and goes out as it should and I have a brand new MOT cert !
 
#33 ·
cheap fix, if you have no safety issues, matt black insulating tape over the offending warning light, i have done this before and passed MOT(NCT), not recommended, but if you are on a budget it works. Some people love their Alfas and will do anything to keep them on the road, if you don't have a job and need your car, **** happens, been there done that !. Saying that, I go a job and spent 1,300 euros re-spraying 2 doors and rear quarter, i love my Alfa, if I have the money, I lavish attention, if not I make do ;-)
 
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