MikeV8SE

New Member
OK, my bright red SRS dashboard light has kindly come on, meaning when I start the car the dash now is akin to a Christmas tree with various ABS/handbrake/TC lights on - but annoyingly the SRS one does not go out.

I only did three things "out of the norm" to the car yesterday:

- Fitted an air freshener to the air vents (I don't think this is it)
- Moved the seat all the way back and adjusted the memory setting - could this have dislodged a wire somewhere?
- Put the EAS into "access" mode when I got home and left it there overnight - although the SRS light was on before or at the time I pulled into drive and put it into access mode, possibly before but I hadn't noticed if it was


So, what would cause the light to come on and where do I start with trying to switch it off? I guess check for loose connections under the seat is the first port of call, but past experience dictates it's unlikely to be as simple as this!!

Cheers :)
 
OK, my bright red SRS dashboard light has kindly come on, meaning when I start the car the dash now is akin to a Christmas tree with various ABS/handbrake/TC lights on - but annoyingly the SRS one does not go out.

I only did three things "out of the norm" to the car yesterday:

- Fitted an air freshener to the air vents (I don't think this is it)
- Moved the seat all the way back and adjusted the memory setting - could this have dislodged a wire somewhere?
- Put the EAS into "access" mode when I got home and left it there overnight - although the SRS light was on before or at the time I pulled into drive and put it into access mode, possibly before but I hadn't noticed if it was


So, what would cause the light to come on and where do I start with trying to switch it off? I guess check for loose connections under the seat is the first port of call, but past experience dictates it's unlikely to be as simple as this!!

Cheers :)
That *may* be the cause.....not sure where the SRS harness routes in a Classic so you never know....

Also if the Rotary Coupler in the steering wheel is getting worn or dirty, this can cause an issue too.....
 
It is a selection of slip rings and cable inside a plastic casing that connects the electrical items in the steering wheel to the rest of the car....

As the steering wheel rotates, the rotary coupler allows for continuous electrical connections to the Airbag and other controls like the horn, Cruise Control, stereo (if fitted) etc to turn with it, without getting all tangled up....

Not sure on price, do gooooooooogle and see what turns up..
 
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Cheers Saint! How do I check if it is working OK? Also, would that design not mean a multitude of things would not work? Hard to test, as the cruise control already doesn't work...maybe because of this? Hmm...!
 
Not sure on how you would check it...but it uses different cable contacts for the different electrical circuits on the steering wheel.....

So some will still work and others may not....

i.e. the Horn circuit won't share the same cable as the Airbag circuit etc...

link below to an MGF Rotary Coupler...might make more sense to see one taken apart...

Inside the Rotary Coupler
 
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Only way to check it is to take it out and test continuity from input plug to output plug. If it has been taken out and not centralised or refitted incorrectly the ribbon can snap. It should only be refitted with steering straight ahead after centralising unit.
 
Not saying this is the one, but it is the only one Rimmers lists....

Rotary Coupler - Steering Wheel - vehicles with airbag - Genuine Land Rover at www.rimmerbros.co.uk

And island 4x4 indicates this is for the Disco 1, Disco 2 and P38.... Rotary Coupler Steering Column YRC100350 Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.

(no affliation to either...)

Considering the RRC Softdash is similar to the Disco, and was used as a testbed for some of the systems in the P38 - I would assume it is the same....check with your supplier first though....
 
Cheers guys, much appreciated! Will check the underseat wiring first, if it's not that then looks like I've got a world of fun ahead of me...
 
Checked at lunch, no loose wires under the seat that I can see - although I wish I had bought an LSE so I could get my body/shoulder through the rear door to see properly!!

Also gave the wheels a couple of full lock-to-lock turns, SRS light still on so will investigate further this weekend. Everything I have read says I will need the TestBook to diagnose and reset the fault, though? Is this true?
 
You will need to it to reset the indicator light and clear the fault stored in the Brain, if you ask me....you do on the P38 anyway..
 
Mike,
Must be someone with a testbook in your area?
If its any consolation I abandoned mine at the garage last night. AA had to hotwire the starter as the immobilser decided it didn't want to switch off.
Hopefully it will be sorted in the next couple of days.
 
Does it have airbags in the seat or was that added later to the P38 as when my srs light comes on i just move the wires under the passenger seat and it goes off for a while
 
Does it have airbags in the seat or was that added later to the P38 as when my srs light comes on i just move the wires under the passenger seat and it goes off for a while

Nah just the steering wheel and dashboard on the passenger side I believe!
 

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