SRS Malfunction after removing seats.

ERNURTRNS

Member
So like a bozo I forgot to disconnect the battery prior to removing my seats in order to remove the headliner to insulate and run a few wires. Is there a way to reset the fault without seeing the dealer and having them plug it in?

Thanks.
 

Cheyenne

UK 2004 T1N 313CDi
You will have to buy a Sprinter specific scanner capable of accessing the SRS module to clear the code. A basic OBD reader cannot do it.

Suggestions are Autel MD802 or MD808 or AP200 BlueTooth dongle or iCarSoft MBII. More details in the scanner sub-section of Sprinter Talk.
 

ERNURTRNS

Member
I kind of figured after doing a bunch of reading. I have to take the van in for recall work anyway so I may kill two birds with one stone this time.
 

grantwilson

FreedomVanGo
You will have to buy a Sprinter specific scanner capable of accessing the SRS module to clear the code. A basic OBD reader cannot do it.

Suggestions are Autel MD802 or MD808 or AP200 BlueTooth dongle or iCarSoft MBII. More details in the scanner sub-section of Sprinter Talk.
MB2 doesnt work and they dont have one that does yet

Currently dealer is the only reasonable option
 

grantwilson

FreedomVanGo
well the NCV3 you can clear it. the VS30 you cant. I have an off the shelf scan tool that can do the ncv3
 

brownvan

2017 4X4 HR 144"
I'll defer to Grant on this one. It's been awhile since this happened and not sure what tools are available now to clear SRS codes on a NCV3
 

ERNURTRNS

Member
So I took to the dealer and had them reset it. But it set me back $100. Can someone verify me the right order to do this so I don't have to visit again?

Do I disconnect the battery via the connection under the dash, then disconnect the seats? Or do I have to physically disconnect the battery then undo the seats?
 

erik.wahlstrom

Well-known member
The critical thing is to not turn the key on until the seats are reconnected.
As to your specific question, when doing any electrical work, disconnecting the negative battery terminal should be the first thing to do.
 

cacaw

Well-known member
I removed and replaced my driver's seat three times without a problem. The next time I did it (probably getting a bit careless) I triggered the error message.

When I brought the van in for a recall service, the dealer cleared the code at no charge.

If I figure out how to disconnect the battery, am I going to be introducing any unexpected problems? I'm leery about making assumptions regarding the Sprinter's electrical system. :)
 

erik.wahlstrom

Well-known member
No. You won't be introducing problems. It's the whole reason MB went to the trouble of adding a easy to disconnect negative. Takes 20 seconds to remove and 20 seconds to replace.
 

RVBarry

2023 AWD 170 DIY CamperVan
Don't leave it disconnected for weeks at a time... The mini alarm/etc battery can die.
 

AR74

Active member
So like a bozo I forgot to disconnect the battery prior to removing my seats in order to remove the headliner to insulate and run a few wires. Is there a way to reset the fault without seeing the dealer and having them plug it in?

Thanks.
Grrr , I did the exact same thing !!!! It may be awhile before I can make it to the dealer to have it cleared , is it hurting anything being on besides the annoying message popping up ?
 

Bordi45

Member
It seems on VS30 you really need to disconnect the + terminal. When I took my seats off to do my first big wiring effort and heater install, Indiscinnected the + and everything was fine when I reinstalled them.
Recently I unbolted the driver seat and just slide it forward having only disconnected the ground. Following reinstallation, the SRS code appeared, so I assumed I had maybe bumped the plug or something. But, today I also noticed the alert for the passenger side in addition to the driver. Wondering if it’s typical that both seats will alert or if it may be tied to the recall for the wiring for the factory swivel seats?
 

elemental

Wherever you go, there you are.
Grrr , I did the exact same thing !!!! It may be awhile before I can make it to the dealer to have it cleared , is it hurting anything being on besides the annoying message popping up ?
If the message is that your Supplemental Restraint System is disabled/not working, it won't hurt anything unless you are in an accident. At that point the airbags won't deploy, and how much it hurts will depend on what you hit and how hard.
 

AR74

Active member
If the message is that your Supplemental Restraint System is disabled/not working, it won't hurt anything unless you are in an accident. At that point the airbags won't deploy, and how much it hurts will depend on what you hit and how hard.
Well hell thats good to know !!! Thanks for the informative reply !!!
 

erik.wahlstrom

Well-known member
Do you know that for a fact? Or are you assuming. I would think that would put MB under huge liability. They’ve built a bogus warning system and then use it to turn off a safety feature? And they charge you to re-enable the airbag?
 

elemental

Wherever you go, there you are.
Do you know that for a fact? Or are you assuming. I would think that would put MB under huge liability. They’ve built a bogus warning system and then use it to turn off a safety feature? And they charge you to re-enable the airbag?
If you mean "know it for a fact" because I either designed the system, tested the system, or had it fail to operate under the described conditions, the answer is no. If you mean know it for a fact because I have read it in multiple manuals from different manufacturers, the answer is yes.

I don't think that the warning system is bogus; the onboard computer has detected a sensor problem (the sensor was disconnected), it has signaled the error, and the operator is supposed to take the vehicle in for analysis/repair immediately. The workshop must review the system for proper operation before clearing the code/turning the system back on (or face liability if they didn't check it out, they clear the code, and it fails.) You may know that the reason for it going off is the fact that you disconnected the sensor, but no one else does.

In my 2017 Sprinter Operating Instructions, on page 181 under Display Messages, there is picture of a figure in a seat with an airbag going off in their face - "Restraint system Visit workshop" - the "Possible causes/consequences and > Solutions" text reads: The restraint system is faulty. If the restraint system is malfunctioning, individual systems could be triggered inadvertently or might not be triggered at all in the event of an accident. There is an increased risk of injury and accidents. > Drive on with care. > Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately."

If the on-board computer has sensed a problem with the sensors for the Supplemental Restraint System (airbags and possibly powered seat belt retractors) then the on-board computer can't depend upon those sensors to determine whether it should activate the SRS. The warning light is telling the vehicle operator that the SRS system isn't functioning properly (i.e., airbags won't work [or will perhaps go off unexpectedly, but I think this is much less likely]) because there is a problem. For the manufacturer, there is less liability if the system to fails to function after an alert that it wasn't working correctly (as described in the manual) than for the system to just go off unexpectedly after the same warning. I personally would prefer the SRS to fail safe and merely not provide as much crash protection as I would like rather than to spontaneously go off while I was driving 70 MPH on a crowded interstate.

Here are a few Internet resources that agree with this interpretation: https://www.openbay.com/articles/supplemental-restraint-system-srs-warning-light-on, https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-does-the-airbag-warning-light-mean-by-spencer-cates, https://svsautocare.com.au/road-safety/srs-warning-light-what-you-need-to-knowits-a-safety-issue/, https://allaboutautomotive.com/blog/what-is-the-srs-light-that-is-illuminated-on-my-dash/.

The courtroom discussion might be:
Plaintiff: "<manufacturer> owes me a big settlement because the airbags didn't deploy when I was in an accident."
Defendant: "The onboard computer system shows that the SRS warning light was activated due to an error, and this code indicating that the system was malfunctioning was stored (reads out code). The vehicle was unsafe to operate as indicated in the owner's manual. The plaintiff chose to accept the risk of continuing to drive the vehicle."
Judge: "Case dismissed."

I believe that the reason for it being more difficult to "clear the code" for the SRS is to make sure that the system has been examined by a qualified workshop, and not just reset by Bill's Backyard Auto and Grits (no offense to any qualified workshops with this name intended). It costs money because the workshop is (theoretically) doing real work, not just clearing the code.
 

djsincla

Active member
Just an FYI, I also generated SRS fault codes removing my seat. I ended up stopping by a local collision repair store and their Snap-On diagnostic computer quickly cleared the codes. $50. My closest MB would have been a 4 hour return trip.
 

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