And then it turns off until I start the car again. It has done this three times today. I don't think it's the bushings (or the newer thing, whatever it's called, slip rings?) because it seems to me the pattern is that it stay on for exactly one minute after starting the car, then not going on again. I can't check right now for an exact time it stays on (to determine if it's the exact same time for a repeated number of tests) because my brakes are being done, but I will check and then post later.
Any ideas?

Thanks.

If that is on the 1995 C280 then one of the front seat belt buckles are *bad*. Only cause could voltage supply problem. Have the codes read from the SRS system to find out for sure.

Bad? What does that mean? Not latching properly? No ETR?? No connection from seatbelt to the SRS unit?
Thanks. :)
Glad to know it doesn't seem to be anything "big!"

Did you remove the air bag recently?
I had the exact same problem on my friends 95 C280 when I was doing an evaporator job. From previous experience as long as you don't turn ignition "on" it should be OK, but for some reason this car turned on the SRS light. I'm not sure if it has something to do with timing (how long it's been disconnected). I had it disconnected over night. Anyway, it was doing the same thing like yours and I had a tech reset it.
I learned my lesson. From now on, I'll always disconnect ground from battery.

Vinamg

My stays on for....
 

In my 1986 300e my SRS light stays on for about 15 seconds before it goes out, no other problem after that, I took it as normal....hmmm..

No, I did not remove the airbag or do anything of the sort recently.
Mine used to flash 3 or 4 times (still does), but then immediately will stay on constantly for a minute or so.

Though I am in the process of detailing my car (just taking a break), and I noticed that the driver's side seat belt buckle, female part, is not connected completely. There are 2 plastic parts, and where the connect on one end, it is not in place, and I can't get it back in place... maybe this is the problem?

The SRS control unit sends a voltage signal to the seat belt buckles, since there are different resistance values buckled vs unbuckled a return voltage for one or the other value is *expected* in return. If the ECU sees a different voltage than expected the light stays on for 60-90 seconds. All it takes to damage a buckle is a drop of coffee or other substance. Sometimes the resistor just goes bad!


ON the 1984 thru 1987 the light(test time) is supposed to stay on for 10 seconds. 1988 & later the test period is only 4 seconds.

...seat belt buckles that are connected with the SRS system in a W202 C class... :confused:
Our (european) W202 didn't have the seat belt buckles connected to the SRS system...
Lots of differences between the US and european specifications!

greetingz,

Check the seat belt. Yes, the front seat belt buckle may be bad. Try to connect the passenger belt see if the problem goes away, but I have to replace the belt on my 140.

So if something is wrong with the airbag (or ETR?), then the SRS light will be a constant on? And if it's just a seatbelt problem, then it'll stay on for just a minute? So I can be sure it's seat belt problem.

I will try buckling the passenger seatbelt to see if there is a problem. I think it might be with the driver's split piec

Ok, buckling the passenger seat belt did not make the light go away.
I am now convinced the the problem is within my seatbelt where the peice is somewhat separated. If I am able to fix the peice, will the light turn off? Or will I need to reset it? And if so, should I just unhook the battery? It worked for my check engine light.
I just want to be sure so that when I have hopefully fixed the peice, I will know if it is working or not.

Does this disable my whole SRS system (ETR, Airbags, control, etc)?

No, the system noticed that something was not right and shows that by illuminating the light. The SRS system will function properly though (if it IS a seat belt problem).
If you go to the MB dealer with your car, they can check what fault was noticed by the SRS system.

I have replaced one of the seat belt buckles in my 300SL because of the illuminated SRS light (but still no SRS related seat belt buckles in my W202 C class!).

greetingz,

When the SRS light stays on longer than usual and goes out there is a fault in the system (duh, right?) that is not detrimental to the function of the airbag(s) (ETR may not work). When the SRS light stays on the entire system is deactivated meaning the airbags won't (shouldn't) deploy.
After the '90s scare of inadvertent airbag deployment (notice they were all domestic veh) its good to know that MB has one of the most safest and sophisticated airbag systems in the world.
I wonder why they call them airbags? Its not like you could inflate one and use it to put your groceries in. :D :D

If I buy another seat belt buckle, can I install it myself? DO you think it's possible to fix my existing one? Should I take it out and give it a try?

Start by hooking up the car to the MB service compu to have a look at the fault. If it IS a seat belt buckle, you can install it yourself, but the SRS system may need to be reset by the dealer...

greetingz,