[michaeljohnz]

Hello one and all :smile:
OK. SRS light staying on all the time - I'm looking for some general input please if anyone can help? Details: firstly I'm in New Zealand so access to qualified Rover mechanics is more difficult. I've 2 Honda-engined 827's one a Coupe and the other a Sterling saloon. Hopefully also any responses may help others.



Lucky for me a local mechanic left the keys in the ignition whilst renewing the battery so my question isn't so much about why it's where to find the damned diagnostic point. I've scanned messages here and elsewhere and there are some useful guidelines e.g using a paperclip and also once a fault is fixed switching the ignition on and off 20 times. I've yet to try these but any other comments would be much appreciated especially whether my Saloon even has a diagnostic connector. My car is classified by Rimmer's as 'early'. What I'm trying to find is whether there is even a diagnostic point at all, let alone what type of plug - adapter cables can be bought I think.



The info. I can provide so far is: my saloon VIN number ends in 229662, which gives me early 1996 manufacture;

Imported new to NZ. I think that scanner programmes were upgraded to OBDII in 1996, with OBDI being prior to that. One of the requirements under OBDII is that diagnostic points had to be inside the car. I'm saying this as most Google searches come up with option as in: look behind the triangle of carpet behind the centre console (a small rectangular input there but it has 4 connectors and flt not round); look under the panel beneath the steering cowling (I can see the fusebox there but nothing that looks like a 12 or 16 pin plug); engine bay fusebox has nothing. Looking at a Haynes manual it has a reference to there being a Central Control Unit on 'later' models (but I assume not the later KV6 models) BEHIND the steering wheel fusebox which has a diagnostic connection.


I've seen Youtube vids showing the use of a modified paperclip for manual fault-finding and also mention of switching the ignition on and off 20 times, also possibly removing the 'S' fuse temporarily in the engine bay box. I've disconnected the battery for 13 mins to see if the system re-sets but with no change. I might try it for longer say 30 mins or and hour. So there we have it: quite a mix of possible fixes so any and all comments are of value. I would like any comments of diagnostic access though as my Coupe (1995) has an historical fault code that relates to the fuel/air mix that I'd also like to remove as I have to explain to MOT testers what it means all the time and one day they may not believe me. As for the saloon it's in about as good condition as one can find and having just replaced many expensive mechanical parts new from Xpart sources and Rimmers. As of this date I've 2 weeks before it will be illegal to drive. Long post I know - I'd like to trawl for all and every response if possible. Cheers Michael

 

[michaeljohnz]

Well..as an update and for any others who have or could develop this issue it seems that diagnostics to remove are the ideal way or possibly change the SRS ECU..and it seems they are interchangeable with Range Rover Classic ones. I'll update as soon as I confirm the part number. Secondhand available on eBay and new ex a US supplier...

 

[Roverlike]

When I looked accross your problem I stumbled upon this thread how to remove SRS light, having in mind your engine is Honda 2.7L V6 engine.
Here it is: https://www.hondacivicforum.co.uk/30-lighting-electronics/10456-srs-light.html

 

[Talkingcars]

Have a look at pscan.eu - Diagnostic tool for Rover, MG and Landrover cars - it probably covers you car.

 

[michaeljohnz]

Hi and many thanks. Writing this on Monday morning so taking the time to sort through what I've found. I've seen this as a possible solution and I know it works on older 827's. Found a PDF file online that seems to be an official Lucas doc that states that 1996 Rover with the Honda engine - and it specifically excludes the KV6 - use OBDII diagnostics. In my trawling for info. I may be on a path to some kind of cohesive outcome, just not sure yet. My preference is to source the owners of some diagnostic equipment as my Coupe has an historical fault code to do with an oxygen sensor - apart from that it would be good to have that source. I now am on track to finding the part number of the SRS ECU, which should be bright yellow. It's 'NLA' on Rimmer's but I see that it was also used in Range Rover classic models of roughly the same year (Part number YWC 10151). can be bought secondhand but are also available brand new from a US supplier. I have found a mechanic who is familiar with the manual methods and I'll be booking the car in this week. My request that he looks BEHIND the passenger fuse box (as suggested in my Haynes manual) to see if there is a separate bank of connection. we looked last week and could find anything near the steering column pack failing that we'll get the part number which can confirm cross-use between my car and Rangies.



If anything I now know there are many threads on different sites that relate to this - most of us only find out about this problem after the event. If I do nothing else it will be to draw this info. together so that maybe I can help others.


Regards



Michael

 

[michaeljohnz]

Hi and thank you. I've had a look at them and left a question on a forum page (last night) so will check to see if there's a reply.


Regards


Michael

 

[michaeljohnz]

Hi. OK an interim up-date today. Once finished I'll post more information that hopefully helps others who may find themselves with a similar problem.


My main hurdle is to research as much as possible and then filter. I've found a mix of valid and otherwise info. I'm not a technician but here's my comments so far:


When the key is lefy in as in my case, we find out after the event not before. In doing this it 'short-circuits' to the SRS module when the battery is re-connected and in so doing makes the unit useless. this unit is stored behind the centre console and is bigger than I thought; it had to be removed by a mechanic in my case given mass of wiring etc. It is bright yellow and is approx 5 x 4 inches and about 3 inches thick (12x10x5cm). The SRS light showing on the dash shows the problem and to correct this the SRS unit has to be replaced first before the code can be removed - and the latter can be done manually.


My car is one of the last 827's made in early 1996 and despite finding a Lucas document stating my model uses OBDII software it does not - it uses a 4 pin plug. The better news is that the SRS module was also used on the Range Rover Classic/Discovery models about the same year, so a search for the part numbers will most likely bring up RR spares. I found a mention of a part number -YWC10151 - on another rover group which led me to some of this understanding. One seller helped me understand that Rover's changed part numbers sometimes if the supplier changed or even the price changed. The item in my car is AMR4095 and I found one site that gave both numbers as being the same. i.e YWC10151 and AMR4095



The mechanic is yet to take the car in for a few days, so once he's finished - he's said he can do it just that it's been a few years - I'll be able to detail where or if there there is a diagnostic socket. He's a Range Rover mechanic these days. A word of caution if looking for this module: search as many as you can find by using the part number. A quick visit to Ebay gave one seller claiming to have the only one (used) at over 900 quid (yes, 900 GBP), to a few local sellers having similar and tested at 60 quid.


Rotary Coupler: whilst this 'switch' can be at fault it controls other aspects one of which is the horn. If the horn works for example it's most likely not the coupler. I'm not sure about disconnecting the battery working in this case, given that the SRS module was damaged.


This is by no means a solution for every type of SRS but so far it's working for me with the proof I hope to be shown next week when I drop the car off. By the way if any reader here lives in New Zealand or better still Auckland, this mechanic gave ALL his appropriate testing gear for early models to the local Rover Club in Auckland, so if you join there you may have access to the gear that's pretty much not available anywhere else.



Will update when I can and fingers crossed


Michael

 

[michaeljohnz]

Hello All


Hopefully there are still a few who read this model (827) page still. Right, the car has been with the mechanic - who has the correct diagnostic gear - and we're stumped as still something seems to be triggering the SRS fault code. He's checked/replaced a number of obvious parts already. Rather than detail what's been replaced is it fair to ask anyone who feels like it to provide ideas on what could still trigger the alarm? If I list all that's been done it may prevent some simple solutions that he's missed. To help to Rotary Coupler and SRS relay/ECU has been replaced. I've seen mention of fuses being removed/reseated etc..or electrical resistances. All a bit too much for me so to repeat ANY ideas may be of value, which he will filter to see if there is something he's missed. As of now the car is off the road and I'd rather it not be permanent. Thanks all.



Regards

 

[Roverlike]

I am not fully familiar with 800 series SRS system (or Honda Legend). However, i can number few things and if they do not exist must skip them.


Airbag modules itself not providing expected resistance due to bad contact or corrosion on terminals.
Any intermediate conector providing high resistance due to bad contact or corrosion.
Rotary coupler poblem
Fusebox problem in wiring with high resistance
SRS ECU problem for internal ECU problem or bad connector contact.
Do yku have seatbelt pretensioners?
Do you have side airbag modules?

 

[michaeljohnz]

Hello Roverlike. Thank you for your reply. You might be correct when you talk about 'resistance'. I am also suggesting we do simple things like check the fusebox. We replace the rotary coupler and the impact sensors in the engine bay. Also have checked all wiring under the seats e.g seatbelt. No side airbag. also replace the SRS ECU.


Now all we have left I think is electrical voltage/resistance etc. this is picture of my car so you understand wjhy we work so hard to fix. If we do not fix this is illegal to drive..If you look in my 'garage' it is the red car.


MG-Rover.org Forums - View Profile: michaeljohnz

 

[Roverlike]

You have excellent car! It would be shame not to be road worthy.


I looked at SRS diagram and I see that you have two connectors on each seatbelt pretensioner. One under seat, but you also have second one before SRS ECU connector. Maybe worth to check them as well?

 

[michaeljohnz]

Thanks for the info. Car is still stuck with the mechanic..possible solution is to go to a specialised auto electrician...

 

[michaeljohnz]

OK people. My car has been fixd in an unexpected way and I'd like to think this may help others. A mechanic who is said to be good with older cars removed the faulty code from the ECU. He has a variety of diagnostic units and after trying a few the one he had for Landrover Discovery accessed the unit and removed the fault alert. I suppose given the cross-over some parts has within the Rover group (e.g the SRS ECU is used in RR and Landrover of the same period i.e 1995) this is not beyond belief. My car has a Honda engine, so I never would have thought the ECU could be read by the unit.....