Xsara Picasso, Airbag fault, caused by pre tentioner plug, notes

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.
jack99
Posts: 3
Joined: 08 Mar 2019, 13:37

Xsara Picasso, Airbag fault, caused by pre tentioner plug, notes

Unread post by jack99 »

Just some notes on Airbag fault caused by pre tentioner plug, the problem seems to have been sorted.

Car: Xsara Picasso 2007
Fault: Airbag warning on dash
Solution: unplugged and re-plugged plug on passenger seat belt pretensioner yellow plug.
Tools: Torx T40 for seat, Diagbox for diagnostics maybe for clearing faults, although I have read here that clearing faults is not nessary

So on and off over the years the Airbag fault message would appear on the dash, the last month either right after starting or within a few minutes of driving it had been coming up.
After looking at both plugs under the seats and not having any change, I plugged in a diagbox computer and read :
Defaut fugitif Prétensionneur avant droit Circuit ouvert
or in English something like :
Transient fault Front right pretensioner: Open circuit

This is a left hand car! so maybe slightly harder on the drivers side..
After unplugging the battery and removing the 5 torx bolts, (think an electric wrench would be good for this, but not necessary) the seat comes out.

The bottom of the plastic covering the seat belt re-tractor or spring unit, can be pulled out with a bit of force, without having to take the top part off (which I still don't understand howto remove so left the top attached)
On the belt coil re-tractor the yellow plug on the seat belt unit was easy to access and could be removed with a screwdriver, there is only one bolt on the unit to take the whole seat belt unit out, the socket contacts reads 0,3 ohms unless you have small insulated cable connectors that can push the metal short circuit protection contacts at the base of the socket away from the contacts, in which case I got about 2.4ohms,
which seems about right.
Anyways after unplugging it and plugging it back in there have not been any more Airbag warnings yah!
I did clear the faults in diagbox 7.56 or something, but have read here that is is not necessary to do this..

Image is the socket on the pretensioner or the seat belt spring.
Image
Attachments
pretention_plug.jpg
User avatar
mickthemaverick
Moderating Team
Posts: 20136
Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
x 7795

Re: Xsara Picasso, Airbag fault, caused by pre tentioner plug, notes

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

Thanks for posting that, I'm sure it will help someone at some point! :)
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!