The light was on when I purchased the car 3 months ago. Doesn't affect driving, and the mechanic says its more trouble than its worth to fix. So I've left it alone. However, I still like to know what might be some of the more common causes for such failure.

Any ideas?

Airbag contact rings in the steering wheel.

The Mercedes Benz dealer in Buena Park California where I bought the 560SEC in 1996 gave me the repair order that explained that repair being made before the vehicle was given "Encore" (now certified pre-owned) status and being then offered for retail sale on their lot.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

There is so many parts to the SRS that can trip the light. I agree that the contact rings in the steering, known to me as a clock spring in other cars, can go bad since they are the only wearable part in the system. Everything else is static.

With that said, you may want to look under the seats. Each seat has a connector for the SRS. If its not connected, you will get a code. I believe its a connector for the seat belt clip. And if I recall right, each end is red so its hard to miss.

After that, it really could be any number of connectors. Assuming you checked fuses first.

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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

The good news is that the IED aimed at your face probably isn't going to go off. If it were my car I'd pull the fuse to be more sure of that, or better yet, replace the steering wheel with a non airbag one.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Or fix the problem and retain the operation of the airbag. The w126 is a very well-built vehicle, but it's always nice to have an airbag handy if you lose a game of chicken with an F-250.

I must respectfully disagree. I've known several people who were injured by airbags in crashes that would have resulted in no injury had the airbag not detonated. I don't know anyone who escaped injury or death due to one working. I suppose they would be of some value in a frontal crash where the vehicle occupant is unbelted, but a much better safety improvement could be gained by simply buckling up.

If airbags were so great, we'd find them in NASCAR, F1, etc. We don't. What does that tell you?

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

That the drivers of those vehicles use more comprehensive seat belt harnesses and wear helmets.

I survived an impact of 100 mph combined speed when a taxicab driver missed his exit on a parkway and reversed back thru traffic in the rain. The bag stopped me from going forward into the windshield as did the seat belt. The windshield shattered and I would have been seriously injured as a result. All I had was a diagonal bruise across my torso from the belt, a skinned arm from the airbag and a slight ringing in my ears from the deployment of the bag. Being a Volvo 240 the enging went under the car, as designed ,and the knee/foot well did not collapse. Afterwards I called 911 for the taxi driver (broken back and pelvis) and the rear seat passengers (broken backs, broken arms and 1 with severe facial damage from impacting the barrier behind the front seat of the cab). The cab was a Chevy Caprice ex Cop Car.

The Trooper who responded asked me where was the driver's body and where was my car... he was stunned when I told him I was the Volvo driver and was ok. Volvo NA was sent a copy of the accident report and came to the salvage yard to inspect the 240 and said they were not surprised that i was unhurt.

So now you know someone who was saved by an air bag...

Not to mention insurance reasons.

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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

Okay, there's one.

I've used a five point harness on the street before (customer's car). It takes a little longer to put on than a three point, but is still considerably quicker than getting properly geared up for a motorcycle ride. If people want greater crash safety than that provided by a three point harness inside a steel cage, the manufacturers should offer 4, 5, or 6 point harnesses as options.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Thanks for the help guys. Now that I know what could go wrong, any air bag specialists out there near los angeles?

It tells me that we should all dress like The Stig and install a five-point harness if we drive a car with no airbags.

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Remember, Safety Third!
'99 E300 Turbodiesel, '82 300TD, 1996 12V Cummins Turbo, '94 Neoplan - Detroit 6V92TA

Just wanted everyone in los angeles/san fernando valley to know about this shop. They are excellent, and have very good pricing.

Mr MB Motors
5557 Reseda Boulevard, Tarzana, CA 91356
(818) 708-8086

The mechanic there is Enrique. He used to be the manager of Beverly Hills Mercedes Dealer Service Dept. He is excellent.


http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/california/144503-mr-mb-motors-tarzana-ca.html


If you are in Los Angeles Area, I highly recommend him.

Alon




This. ^^^
I have used him for years. Especially for the tough stuff.

He understands the 1982-1991 w126 280/300/380/420/500/560SEC/SEL/SE and diesel 300/350 cars like the back of his hand; he even did the very successful transplant/refurbishing of my 1991 560 SEC's replacement engine a year ago.

A huge job but it runs great and just passed the California smog test, easily, just a few weeks ago.

Thorough, knowledable and amazingly complete. you are not charged for anything you don't need. And the labor rate is really low.

I had the car trucked down 425 miles from my house to his shop for the new engine.

And ALL my other Mercedes Benzes, both past and (the ones in my sig. line below) present, even the new one have been all taken to him for service/repair.










Done!











He is that good!


Feel free to say the man from Northern California whose black 1991 560SEC engine he replaced a year ago recommended you -- if you choose this shop. He will remember me as a loyal long distance customer.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Sounds great. I'll check him out!

Thanks guys!!

Yes, but some say he has to use an allen key to remove his shoes . . . and that underneath that helmet, is another helmet.