QuestionQUESTION: Dealer says the seat belt warning light says the sensor under the passenger seat is bad. $1300 to fix. They say it is not covered under safety warranty for seat belts. Does this keep the seat belts from deploying in an accident? Help!
ANSWER: Hi Joan -
I am assuming you mean if the air bags will deploy, not the seat belt?
The answer is yes, if the computer does not read anyone sitting in the seat, it will not signal to release the air bag. However, there could be several reasons why this light is on.
Have you checked to see whether the connection under the seat got pulled apart? Sometimes when the seat is adjusted it gets disconnected.
BTW, I cannot imagine a sensor costing that much. Perhaps you should get a second opinion.
Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Calvin,
Thanks for your reply. I'll check that connection as you suggest. What I'd like to know is, if this sensor fails as often as we're led to believe, there must be a way to jumper this connector to tell the air bag's computer that someone (over 20 lbs) is sitting in the passenger side seat and to arm the system to deploy all the air bags in the event of an accident. Just to clear up a point re: this system. If this passenger sensor fails, it disables the entire air bag and side curtains from deploying? Not just the passenger bag. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me to design such an operating mode. Thanks again for any assistance.
Joan
AnswerHi Joan -
I believe it is just the passenger bag. All others will inflate upon collision.
I am sure there is a way to bypass this system, however not familiar. When it comes to safety systems, I ask my clients to be very careful what they want, as we do not want to subject passengers to an unsafe condition.
Hope this helps -
calvin
