Rover 200 airbag light.

[lankybob]

As you all may know there are new MOT regulations as of next year. My car is in rather good condition and the only thing I can see which would fail it is the airbag light.
The light has been on for around 6 years which is why I am so annoyed about the new regs as it has been deemed roadworthy for those years.
I do not plan to get rid of/ scrap my car as I am rather fond (1st car, you guys must understand the affection).
Is there a fix other than a new airbag unit, which I cannot afford. Is it possible to find someone with a fault reader and reset the ECU?

Cheers,
Bob

[timbo48]

Same thing with our old 200 and was never fixed. Car now scrapped. Was told by our local garage that a fix involved a trip to the main dealer who had the equipment to "dis-arm" the air bag before proceeding. I now have a similar problem on my ZT-T, although this comes and goes (if it's still there at MoT time in July, let's hope it's in a go phase). I've read that the problem is a loose connection beneath the passenger seat which is affected by moving the seat back and forward, which we do. Must get under there and check soon. Might be an idea for you to investigate the wiring involved in your 200.

[lankybob]

Aah yes, I have always wondered what those are for. I will have a look later.

[smileymikey]

If its three door....big chance its the switch under one of the front seats

[anonymous-user]

Brother in law has an 03 75 with that issue, he was advised that it is not just the movement of the seat but a build up of dust too, he just pulls the plug open every now and then and cleans it with a piece of tissue covered in WD40, seems to do the trick.
I am on this part of the forum to ask a favour on his behalf so will post another topic if anyone can help please.

[mybrainhurts]

On my high mileage Mondeo, it was the front crash sensor. It's exposed to the elements and the plug pins had corroded. The sensor was about £60 and a simple swap, but replacing the plug meant renewing part of the loom and my Ford dealer didn't know what I needed.

A mobile electrician came out, soldered on two new pins from his box of gubbins in five minutes and lifted £55 from me. Bloody bandit..

Remember, folks, if it's a sensor, your bags won't deploy if you need them.

[duncancallum]

get your hand under the seat and feel for the multi plug, wiggle and then start the car the light should go off.

It was a regular issue on my ZR

[Liquid Knight]

Take the bulb out.
Fit an after market racing steering wheel.
Fit a Rover steering wheel without an airbag.

...and so on.

[lankybob]

Well it seems to have fixed itself. Someone moved the seat. Loose connection it seems.

[timbo48]

......yes, but it will come on again. Mine was off for about 3 weeks before Christmas but is back into on/off mode now. From another forum, this would appear to be the way to fix it.

Diconect battery (making sure you know the security code for the stereo)
Wait half an hour (could be mug of tea time)
Crawl under seat, might be easier to remove seat(s) altogether, and split the connection(s)
Clean up and reconnect. If you can, cable tie connectors and wires to seat frame to stop them moving independantly of seat.
Refit seat and reconnect battery. Fingers crossed etc..........

Must do mine now....

[Liquid Knight]

Get under the seat and spray the terminals with WD40 instead.

[garethtp]

If the 200 is like the 25 the airbag is not controlled by the ecu and has a control box located under rear seat swab, remove 3 bolts at rear of swab one in middle and ones at either ends near where seat bels secure. disconnect battery, then disconnect unit which is secured with inverted head torx replace with second hand one from scrappy ( not from bumped one ) or R25 probably the same and should be fixed. Hope it helps...................