Help Needed Peugeot 406 airbag light flashing

FlyingDodo

Hello, I have a Peugeot 406, which is due for an MOT next week, but the airbag light is continuously flashing and we dont know how to fix it. This sort of thing is now an MOT failure and I'm worried it's going to cost a fortune to put right, I was hoping that someone might know how to fix it. Many Thanks for any advice!

forgotmyname

Get the fault codes read or buy yourself a code reader. Without the code
it could be any of the sensors or control module itself.

Corroded crash sensor wiring is common on a lot of cars.

hewhoisnotintheknow

turn ignition off, remove keys
under the drivers seat you will see an orange plug / wire

fiddle with this, see if it fixes it.
if not repeat the above but unplug the plug and plug it back in

if not, repeat on passengers side

motorguy

forgotmyname wrote: »

Get the fault codes read or buy yourself a code reader. Without the code
it could be any of the sensors or control module itself.

Corroded crash sensor wiring is common on a lot of cars.

Code readers generally wont read airbag fault codes, nor can they reset they airbag light.

Its only once you get up to the £100+ units that you start to see that level of functionality.

motorguy

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

turn ignition off, remove keys
under the drivers seat you will see an orange plug / wire

fiddle with this, see if it fixes it.
if not repeat the above but unplug the plug and plug it back in

if not, repeat on passengers side

I agree. Worth buying a bottle of electrical contact cleaner from a motor factors, unplugging the connectors spraying them then reconnecting.

Failing that the O/P will need to find someone who can read the codes and repair as required.

Yolina

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

turn ignition off, remove keys
under the drivers seat you will see an orange plug / wire

fiddle with this, see if it fixes it.
if not repeat the above but unplug the plug and plug it back in

if not, repeat on passengers side

^^^that^^^

Happened every now and then in the 10 years or so I had the 206 and every time checking the connectors underneath the driver's seat fixed it.

fred7777

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

turn ignition off, remove keys
under the drivers seat you will see an orange plug / wire

fiddle with this, see if it fixes it.
if not repeat the above but unplug the plug and plug it back in

if not, repeat on passengers side

This is exactly the fault an fix on my last 406.

There are sensors under the front of the seat to tell the system there is someone on the seat. The connectors to these sensors can get dirty and WD40 fixed it for me.

If this doesn't work then apparently a common fix is to cut the wires and connect them together so the system always thinks the seats are sat in. Check the Peugeot forums website for details about this.

However be very careful with any other part of the airbag system. The seat sensors are safe but other parts of the system like the airbag controller (under the hand break) or the seat belt pre-tensioners (by the set belt anchor) can be dangerous as they can cause the systems to go off.

Always turn the ignition off and remove the keys.

Yolina

fred7777 wrote: »

Always turn the ignition off and remove the keys.

Indeed - I also always waited a couple of minutes after removing the key before fiddling with the stuff.

tedted

this is not a mot failure at the moment so no need to worry

espresso

fred7777 wrote: »

This is exactly the fault an fix on my last 406.

There are sensors under the front of the seat to tell the system there is someone on the seat. The connectors to these sensors can get dirty and WD40 fixed it for me.

Incorrect, the cable connector under the seat is wired to the seat belt pre-tensioner. It is fitted like this to allow the seat to slide forward and back and it allows the seat to be removed if necessary.

If this doesn't work then apparently a common fix is to cut the wires and connect them together so the system always thinks the seats are sat in. Check the Peugeot forums website for details about this.

No, the fix is to simply remove the plug and socket and connect the wires exactly as they were, soldering the joints to ensure a good low resistance connection.

However be very careful with any other part of the airbag system. The seat sensors are safe but other parts of the system like the airbag controller (under the hand break) or the seat belt pre-tensioners (by the set belt anchor) can be dangerous as they can cause the systems to go off.

Exactly so joining wires together as described in your fix above is not advisable!

Always turn the ignition off and remove the keys.

.............

motorguy

tedted wrote: »

this is not a mot failure at the moment so no need to worry

Airbag light on IS an MOT failure.

Engine Management light isnt at the moment.