60 replies to this topic

[Guess-Works.com]

But what does meant mean? It was required by law, or fitted by the factory? 

 

I'll be happy to be corrected on this, but, I don't believe it is compulsory for a vehicle to have an airbag.

[Ethel]

I think that's the case too. Does that take back to it can only be tested if it's there?

 

I agree the intent is clear enough, if that "little old lady" wants assurance that the airbag, on the strength of which she chose the car, might actually work then it's right to test inspect it. If some boy racer has deliberately swapped the wheel for something overpriced and Italian. It's unlikely anyone is going to unwittingly subject themself to more danger than intended, and the matter only concerns them & their insurers.

[Cooper1997]

But what does meant mean? It was required by law, or fitted by the factory?

 
I'll be happy to be corrected on this, but, I don't believe it is compulsory for a vehicle to have an airbag.

Aren't cars manufactured after a certain date required to have at least a drivers airbag? Hence the reason why the 97 MY had one as standard?

[SportspackWeb]

Yes I think you're right. Much of the safety loaded on to the 1997 cars was to meet statutory vehicle type regulations, not necessarily in this country, but for the export market. Other examples being the adjustable headlamps etc. It helped to keep production alive for another four years. The whole thing seems pretty clear cut to me. If the manufacturer intended the car to have one, it must be present at the MOT and working. The confusion starts at the testing station - because if the tester hasn't got a degree in Minis then he may not pick it up. But ( as Jim Bowen used to say) that is the gamble. I think an appropriate spare parts kit in the garage may be useful. Lets face it, these parts may just increase in value as they become more rare? SportspackWebs SRS logistics - founded in in 2020. Rotary Coupler  £950 +VAT.

[Tamworthbay]

Yes I think you're right. Much of the safety loaded on to the 1997 cars was to meet statutory vehicle type regulations, not necessarily in this country, but for the export market. Other examples being the adjustable headlamps etc. It helped to keep production alive for another four years. The whole thing seems pretty clear cut to me. If the manufacturer intended the car to have one, it must be present at the MOT and working. The confusion starts at the testing station - because if the tester hasn't got a degree in Minis then he may not pick it up. But ( as Jim Bowen used to say) that is the gamble. I think an appropriate spare parts kit in the garage may be useful. Lets face it, these parts may just increase in value as they become more rare? SportspackWebs SRS logistics - founded in in 2020. Rotary Coupler  £950 +VAT.

But that isn't the case for other safety measures. I own a rubber bumper MGB GT. The rubber bumpers were introduced to pass US crash tests. Therefore they have to be considered as a 'safety feature' but many people remove them and retro fit chrome bumpers without any issues whatsoever. I think the key is to determine if VOSA ever made it compulsory to fit airbags and if so, from when? I am guessing that (like said above) they remain optional but have been universally fitted to cover regulations in other countries. But I could be wrong.

[Ethel]

I'm pretty sure it still isn't compulsory in the EU. It's different in the US, I think it's still not compulsory to wear seatbelts in all States so they're a bit keener on the passive safety stuff, as the Mini learned in the 70's. I'd guess the MPI got a bag because not having one would've made it even harder to compete against the modern competition. Perhaps it also has something to do with the collapsible steering column issue? 

[Les56]

My mini has the failed the MOT,  the car has had the original steering wheel,seats and seat belts removed. I have recently fitted a replacement SRS steering wheel including a new air bag, SRS light still remains on after the start up test. Does the test check the seat belt tensioners as well? Do I need to fit original seat belts?

[Guess-Works.com]

My mini has the failed the MOT,  the car has had the original steering wheel,seats and seat belts removed. I have recently fitted a replacement SRS steering wheel including a new air bag, SRS light still remains on after the start up test. Does the test check the seat belt tensioners as well? Do I need to fit original seat belts?

 

Probably.

[Fast Ivan]

they are all connected and part of the same system according to the wiring diagram, so yes it looks like you will need the seat belt tensioners as well. Also you may need to reset the light with a code reader, not 100% on that though

[samsfern]

My mini has the failed the MOT,  the car has had the original steering wheel,seats and seat belts removed. I have recently fitted a replacement SRS steering wheel including a new air bag, SRS light still remains on after the start up test. Does the test check the seat belt tensioners as well? Do I need to fit original seat belts?

If the light doesn't work, it's an advisory item. Seatbelts, as long as they plug in and work fine they're ok.

[Cooperman]

As 'Jaydee' said above, simply connect the SRS wiring into the ignition warning light circuit.

Then, when first switched on the SRS light will come on and it will go off immediately the generator starts to push charge into the electrical system.

My MoT testing friend, who happens to be a big Mini enthusiast, advised me to do this if taking it for test anywhere but to his emporium. He won't have an issue with it on a Mini, even if it has a different steering wheel fitted.

So long as the light comes on, then goes off when running, a tester won't have an issue. Checking that the airbag is actually fitted is not an issue. On my Rover rally car the airbag was removed as on a rally the bag would deploy on a really rough road. I never had any issues with that either. I also have to disconnect the fuel supply 'G-Switch' to prevent the fuel supply from being cut off on a rough stage.

[Les56]

Thanks for the info, spent a couple of hours doing wiring checks, still can't get the light to stay off, so will now look at your option. I will let you know how I get on.

[tiger99]

Whatever you do, be very sure to tell your insurance company that you no longer have a working airbag system, otherwise they are fully entitled to refuse to pay out any claim, regardless of whether it involves the airbag.

 

I happen to think that it is far better to have good seat belts rather than airbags, which were only invented because the average US driver regarded seat belts as an intrusion into personal freedom and ignored them. Pretensioners are a very good thing, and could probably be adapted from a more modern car, however some indication of the way that VOSA think can be deduced from the IVA test manual, which absolutely bans airbags, and maybe pretensioners, from amateur-built vehicles, so if your Mini is sufficiently modified to need an IVA, the airbag etc has to come out. Now there is one way round the problem....

[hennasxi]

The airbag system is pretty basic on the mini.  One of my MPi's when I bought it had the lamp on.  Used a ACR4 handheld with the right software and lead and it bizzarely diagnosed the fault as SRS light open circuit !  Clearly with the bulb lit, it can't be open circuit.  Turned out the wrong wattage bulb was fitted !!!   The SRS bulb is a 3.3W, it had a 5W fitted - who would think it is that sensitive, but there you go.

All the parts are a still readily available 2nd hand, cheap as chips, and you can still buy new from the likes of South Lakes Minis for things like the SRS ECU under the back seat.

All those in our clubs (Cooper Sport 500 Register and 2000 Mini Register) are welcome to share the diagnostic handhelds held by our members for free, and changing everything, perhaps except the seat belt bit is straightforward too - I changed all my parts on mine before finally working out it was the damn bulb !

As said though, I'd prefer to have it working properly, and there really are not that many components that can fail.  Also, yes some parts are shared with the MGF, certainly the steering wheel rotary coupler is, and possibly the steering wheel / air bag itself.

[Les56]

Thanks for the advise, new steering wheel and airbag fitted light still on, I have disconnected all the components and the plug from the ECU. I have a short (continuity) between the two wires going to the airbag and tensioners. i.e between pins 11 and 12, 5 and 6, 3 and 4 on the ECU plug seems very strange.

I have an ACR4, what POD and lead is required?

Taking the previous contributors advice and re wiring the light, The SRS light was not an issue when I took the car back for it's MOT, but it has now failed on high emissions, need to look at an other thread now.