97 E320 W210 SRS Inadvertent activation
 

I heard a loud pop and the seat belt tightened while driving in slow speed. It seemed like I had an inadvertent activation of the SRS system (emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) in the seat belt). I assume this is the system that pulls the seat belt tight during an accident. Anyone on the board ever experience the same? Called a dealer and the Mercedes Regional office, they said car's too old and not under any type of warranty anymore, but isn't this a safety concern in light of recent Toyota recalls?

Any recommendation on where I should proceed?

Your alternator was over charging for a short time and this triggers the inadvertent activation of the SRS system.

can you enlighten me on how alternator overcharge can trigger the inadvertent SRS system activation?

thanks

Just read the owners manual. It stated that the SRS is a two threshold deployment system. If first threshold is exceeded, the Emergency Tensioning Retractor (ETR) activation occurs, which in what happened in my case. If second threshold is exceeded, the airbags deploy. Since the ETR was inadvertently deployed, that means the Airbag could inadvertently deployed at anytime.

Upon further research, I found that there was a recall on 1997 airbags for inadvertent deployment and the recall was performed on my car (I actually forgot I took the car to the dealer many years ago for the recall fix). Anyways, if the ETR was deployed after the recall fix, that means the recall fix was not done correctly or the problem wasnt fixed by the recall fix. Now I got a car that I'm afraid to drive.....

RECALL INFO:
Air bags:side/window
Description: Vehicle description: Passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles have experienced side air bag deployments in the absence of a crash.
Damage: Inadvertent side air bag deployment could cause personal injury to the seat occupant.
Year: 1997