First of all, if the SRS light is on, the entire air bag system is disabled. To my knowledge there is nothing in the 2nd and 3rd row that can affect the SRS system. The only two seat belts that are monitored are the two front seats. There is a switch in seat that tells the system that there is someone sitting in the seat and a switch in the buckle that tells the system if the seat belt is buckled. Of course there are other sensors, modules, etc., that all have to work in order for the air bag system to function. There is a procedure for retrieving the codes from the system to know which components are not working properly, so if the dealer can't at least tell you which items are throwing a code then they aren't trying very hard. I would go back to the dealer and ask that they diagnose it for free, or go to another dealer. Here is the code list so you can see how many different items can cause the system to disable itself. The list is not to intimidate you, but rather the show all the information available to the technician to pinpoint the problem. I found it at Full SRS code list - Honda-Tech when I was looking for Acura codes for an RL I was thinking about buying. Good luck!

HONDA Motor Company 1988-2002

DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE Definitions

Specific Fault

1-1 & 1-2 open circuited Or high Resistance In Drivers Air Bag Inflator
1-3 short circuited To Another Wire In Driver's Air Bag Inflator Or low Resistance
1-4 short circuited To Power Driver's Air Bag Inflator
1-5 short circuited To Ground Driver's Air Bag Inflator
2-1 & 2-2 open circuited In Passenger's Air Bag Inflator
2-3 short circuited To Another Wire In Passenger's Air Bag Inflator Or low Resistance
2-4 short circuited To Power Passenger's Air Bag Inflator
2-5 short circuited To Ground Passengers Air Bag Inflator
3-1 & 3-2 open circuited Or high Resistance In Driver's Seat Belt Tensioner
3-3 short circuited To Another Wire Or low Resistance In Driver's Seat Belt Tensioner
3-4 short circuited To Power In Driver's Seat Belt Tensioner
3-5 short circuited To Ground In Driver's Seat Belt Tensioner
4-1 & 4-2 open circuited Or high Resistance In Front Passenger's Seat Belt Tensioner
4-3 short circuited To Another Wire Or low Resistance In Front Passenger's Seat Belt Tensioner
4-4 short circuited To Power In Passenger's Seat Belt Tensioner
4-5 short circuited To Ground In Passenger's Seat Belt Tensioner
5-1, 5-2, 5-4, 5-5, 5-8, 6-1,6-2, 6-3,6-4,6-5,6-6, 6-7,6-8, 7-,1 7-2, 7-3,8-1, 8-2,8-5 & 8-6
Internal Failure Of SRS Unit. Check Battery System Voltage, If Voltage Is Low , Repair Charging System Prior
To Troubleshooting SRS System
9-1 SRS Failure Or Indicator Light
9-2 SRS Unit Internal Failure Of Power Supply
10-1 SRS Air Bag Deployed

 

Even better, get the code yourself. Read my post in this thread on how to get the code using a paper clip (somebody should sticky this so folks can easily find it): http://www.odyclub.com/forums/24-1999-2004-odyssey/156948-srs-light-off.html

Heads up - when I went to the dealer to get it fixed, they told me if it was not a covered repair it would be a $100 diagnosis charge. I told the guy I had pulled the code, it was (whatever it was) and it is covered under warranty (I think, but am not sure, the warranty on safety equipment varies by state). He looked at me, smiled, and said there would be no charge.

 

Thanks....
I'll call the dealer. I got the drivers seat belt sewed today (this was a recent event after the srs light was already on) and I asked about the light and he thought that if anything was wrong the light would be on and air bags disabled. This guy runs a car upholstering shop and isn't a Honda dealer but he seemed to know a lot about seat belt systems. I gather he has a nice little side business fixing seat belts that have been chewed by dogs. He sewed it correctly ( the box pattern) and only charged $5!!!
I remember the light was off when I picked the van up last year from the dealer but it came on again after I drove it for a bit. That's when the shop guy said he wasn't sure but thought it would work. Now that I know that's not true, I'll try and get him to figure it out. I'm not sure what the safety laws are but he should be able to fix the error. I know the 4 front belts are ok. Kind of scary realizing I'm driving around without air bags.

 

So the dealer could not fix it before, you now know there are computer codes the pinpoint the problem for the dealer and you are going back to the same dealer? Makes no sense to me.

But if you are, arm yourself with information. Read the linked article in the linked thread. Get a paper clip and read the codes. Will take you 30 minutes tops to read and get the codes. Then compare your code to the list in the link I provided and you will be armed with good information so the dealer cannot take advantage of you. When the dealer says they have to replace the airbag for $1,000 you can say why? The code indicated the problem was the seat belt.

Btw, my 02 Ody recently had an airbag recall. Was yours recalled?

 

I took it to the dealer yesterday and the service guy confirmed the airbag system isn't working BUT it's not throwing any kind of alarm code! So I have to take it down again (50 mile drive) and let them have it longer. He said it could take 1 to 3 hours to find and he might have to call and engineer about it. Said it might be the module but couldn't figure out why there was no code. The air bags have never gone off. Right now it's a mystery.

 

The dealer says the srs control module needs to be replaced, to the tune of $400. Is this an easy fix? I saw a place on eBay that says it will fix my module for $40. Does this work? It looks like new modules are about $200. If I do install it myself, is it safe, or better to have the dealer do it?
Thanks for any advice....

 

Sorry to harp on this but a module failure throws specific codes. Looking at the code list in the thread I linked, it references checking the battery and electrical system before doing anything to the SRS module. I did a quick google, and turned up this thread: http://www.odyclub.com/forums/28-19...5-1998-odyssey/64624-srs-light-out-after-4-years-internal-fault-srs-module.html

What the codes and thread tell me is there can be things other than the module causing an SRS module failure code.

How old is your battery? Any indications it may be weak? You might also try the trick mentioned in that thread of turning the key to position II, waiting until the self test lights go out and then starting the car. If the SRS light goes out, then it may not be the module.

I know you would prefer a simple answer - replace it and it is fixed - but there may be more to it. If you go to the dealer, try to get them to commit (in writing) that if replacing the module does not solve the problem you will not have to pay for it. The code list tells me there is a diagnostic and troubleshooting procedure to be followed so theoretically they have positively identified the cause. But the fact they initially told you 1)it was not throwing codes when you had a light and 2) that the airbags would probably still work, just makes me very skeptical. But I know nothing about SRS modules, either!

Good luck.

 

Here is another thread with different info regarding DIY on the SRS module: http://www.odyclub.com/forums/24-19...forums/24-1999-2004-odyssey/37396-update-help-replacing-srs-control-module.html