SRS light in 97 Acura CL 2.2

[Julian Dowden]

Hey guys!

Recently, after a dead battery and some jumping, my SRS light has locked on and won’t go away.

After recharging the battery I unplugged it for 24 hours to see if the light would turn off. No luck.

I should add that a week or so before the battery incident I de-greased and washed the entire engine. There were no issues or lights following the wash. Within a day or two of the wash I drove about 100 miles and parked the car. I parked the car for several days and came back to a dead battery. After the initial jump the SRS light has not turned off. I have driven the car several hundred miles since then and the battery has held up (accept for another time where I left an overhead light on) (in-process of moving to temporary residence).

Possibly related and worth mentioning…I also have an issue with my cruise control. e.g. possible issue in steering wheel assembly (cruise controls and actual air bag) But I think that problem is due to no shielding / insulation on the cruise control throttle cable. e.g. bare spiral steel outer cable sleeve

I’m open for suggestions. Cheaper is better in my case as I am unemployed, out of town, and down to less than $100. I need this car to drive to job interviews!

Thanks guys!

Julian

Topic

[Mathieu]

The SRS light refer to the air bag system. This cause nothing bad to you in the future. The computer detect usuals vibration on a sensor and the SRS light come on. The air bag wont’t blow in your face. But If you have an accident you might have no airbag deployment. So drive at low speed and cautiously before the repair. Maybe you have a sensor loose. To locate It you need the repair manual or somebody know It. This is the web site I use to download repair manual : Repair manual acura 97. I found also how to read the SRS code whiteout a SRS scanner (+400us$).
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIBjIr9a42w[/video]
Honda accura procedure to see all the code

My friend car had this light on while driving on bad road. Toyota 2006 Yaris. I test the vehicle on the road and I discover the light going off after the I start the vehicle then go on immediately the car was in motion or when I drove in a pot hole. The cause was a rear passenger sensor that was off there screw long ago fixed after a rear car accident.

[college man]

The air bag system has sensed a problem.You would need
to seek a shop that can read srs codes.

[Julian Dowden]

:cheer: Great leads Plasmide! I’ll investigate the solution found therein and report back. I did note that the caption below the codes mentioned compromised charging systems. I feel it would be prudent of me to have my alternator and battery checked for free before going down a rabbit hole.

Thanks again dude!

All the best!

Julian

[ridinred24]

if your cruise control is inop and you have an srs light on its possible your “cable reel” that sits between the steering wheel and steering column has failed. Its job is to keep electrical contact while the wheel is turned. It could be something as simple as a seat belt buckle thats causing the light to come on too.

As long as your car has a clean title then seat bekt buckles/retractors have a lifetime warranty at any acura dealer.

[Julian Dowden]

That first 100 mi trip I made did see some speeds upwards of 105. I recently discovered I have a tire/wheel that has bumps. Plus the freeway section traversed has sections of diversion and repair. I suppose it is possible that something got shaken to a point of compromise during that first trip. However, I do not recall seeing the SRS light during the trip and / or at shut-down. Since then I have made another couple of trips on that route (Austin TX~Kileen TX and VSVS)and vibration has increased. My last trip I got up to 115. I was afraid that driver side front tire was soo out of balance that it might spin apart. Discount tire tech inspected afterwards and pointed out the bumps on the tire and splitting on the other side. Aside from the bummer of tire expense he did compliment how clean everything was. I wonder if that would suffice as clean underwear in the case of an accident?

Jules

[EricTheCarGuy]

I don’t recommend washing engines for the very reasons you mention. I think looking into the charging system is a good start. This video may help with that.

You may be on to something with the problems with the cruse control and SRS being related. It is a common failure for the cable reel in the steering column to fail causing problems like yours. If you notice a noise while you turn the wheel this may be a good indication that the cable reel is having issues. It would be best if you could get the codes for the SRS and confirm that you have an airbag code. If you do I would replace the cable reel and recheck for your symptoms.

[Julian Dowden]

I’m not sure if quick replies get published. My assumption is that they are not published. That being said, I feel what you are doing is an extremely kind hearted and noble thing. In my situation of be starved for work and being overqualified for everything, your information has been a life-line for me. I beg borrow and work odd jobs to pay things like storage fees and auto insurance. I’ve been fortunate to have friends that put me up for a while. My tools and our knowledge has helped me sustain a life while I look for gainful employment. I rely on you to help me help other people every chance I get. I cannot thank you enough!

[Julian Dowden]

So much for assumption! I guess the “Ass You and Me / assumption” thing makes sense.

Anyway…The engine wash thing is something I have always done. Luckily I have never had a problem. But then again I am careful not to over-wash things that are subject to / reliant on oil based insulation. e.g. alternators Prior to and following every good wash I expend a good can of WD40 (Water Displacement formula# 40). I am keen to not allow certain rubber parts to dry out and crack. I suppose that comes with experience.

In regard to the SRS issue, I went to Advanced Auto Parts today and had them check my charging / electrical system. All was good (despite my AEM Power Pulleys). I went to the Honda dealer here in Killeen in hopes of them honoring the seat-belt warranty. To my surprise I found myself walking off without honor and mumbling “WTF!”.

Depending on how things go I will check the codes per the information at VHix and / or drive down to the dealer in Austin and work them for information.

I’ll write back when more is learned.

Julian

[Mathieu]

Thanks you to keep us updated

[college man]

keep us posted.

[EricTheCarGuy]

I wish you would have mentioned the pulleys earlier as that can have a direct effect on alternator output.

As for seat belts that vehicle is too old for seat belt retractors. I think the only thing they had in 97 was an issue with the seat belt buckles themselves. This would not set an SRS code on a 97 however.

I still think you might have a problem with the cable reel but you’ll need to have the code pulled in order to confirm this.

[Author]

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