Flashing seatbelt indicator

spark_38 · Post by **spark_38** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 12:19 pm

Not sure if this has been covered (a search didn't return any results).

The seatbelt indicator starting flashing in my AE111 BZ-R levin yesterday morning (after it had been frosted over). Possibly a bad sensor somewhere....

The flash is a constant on/off pattern - could it be some sort of error code?

GTCRSHR · Post by **GTCRSHR** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 4:35 pm

have you checked and cleaned the plug

spark_38 · Post by **spark_38** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:41 pm

i pulled the driver's seat out. no plug or connection present for the seatbelt sensor - i've never noticed the indicator in the dash come up before.

there is a small black box under the drivers seat though held in place by velcro strap. looks factory, wonder what that's for...

anyway i disconnected the battery in an attempt to reset the ECU, i also improved the factory ground wire while i was at it... not sure if taking disconnecting the battery and pumping the brakes for 30 seconds resets it in a toyota

evil_si · Post by **evil_si** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:01 pm

there is a charge light for the alternator
14.2v with no load is fine, and so is around 12.5 when under load, it is always going to drop off when you have lights and a/c on.

in the seat belt base there is a switch, it might be broken or not making contact.

spark_38 · Post by **spark_38** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:37 pm

the seat belt contact must be to ground then, but that doesn't make sense - there should be a floating connector or at least a wire of some sort. nothing is evident from removing the seat

i found it strange as in previous car with full loading the battery charge would sit between the 13.8-14.2V range

evil_si · Post by **evil_si** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:15 pm

does the stalk bolt to the floor or to the seat?

spark_38 · Post by **spark_38** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:22 pm

the seat is held in place by the usual 4 bolts. its bolted to the seat. there appears to be no other connections from the seat itself

some cars have the 2 wire plug under the seat, but it's pretty obvious

matt dunn · Post by **matt dunn** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:38 pm

you may find that is in on the reel of the seatbelt, and so you need to pull the belt out far enough to plug in to turn the light off.

Is is the seatbelt light not an airbag light?

BigDon · Post by **BigDon** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:56 am

Im my bzgs the lead is attached to the seatbelt stalk (which is bolted to the seat, normally, mines bolted into my seat mount for everyday use with my race seat) the connections are in the centre tunnel console and are wound in the loom with the handbrake sensor if I remember correctly.

The BZRs dont have some flash pretensioners or other cr*p do they to go with the airbag. You should be able to put the car in test diagnostic mode and see if there is a fault.

Mines unplugged and it stays off.

spark_38 · Post by **spark_38** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 11:02 pm

i've been meaning to pull off the side cover and fix the twist in the seatbelt so will check for side tensioner sensors (if any).

it is strange that up until now i've never even noticed the seatbelt indicator illuminate (even with the seatbelt off). the indicator is just below the handbrake one on the right side of the dash.

the ABS self check almost goes out as soon as the engine is started, the airbag light almost immediately after it.

i was working on a car tonight (non-toyota) and noticed that the seatbelt indicator on that has a visible cable from the latch running under the seat. the seatbelt indicator on the dash is either on or off. it doesn't flash.

BZR4AGE · Post by **BZR4AGE** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 3:11 pm

I've had 2 BZR and driven 3 of them, 2 of which have the same problem. and it flashes so is nothing major (is not error codes - the whole point of it flashing is to make you take notice of it and get you annoyed).

I always fixed it just giving a hard pull on the seat belt making it lock and releasing it. the sensor is not on the actual clip, but on the "roller" thing. when you pull your seatbelt to a certain length, it turns the sensor off. (just tested it on my BZR)

spark_38 · Post by **spark_38** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:14 pm

if thats the case, i suspect the sensor was always faulty... as it didn't illuminate when i had the seatbelt off

i'll have to pull it out anyway - i'll have a play around when i do and see if grounding the sensor cable cancels the flashing - the hard pull had no effect

rolla_fxgt · Post by **rolla_fxgt** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:19 pm

Mine did this in my ae101 after having the seatbelt stalk replaced when i had to get a new seatbelt, dipshit at the compliancing centre in dunners who do seatbelts just cut the wire rather than looking about 2cms down & pulling sensor.
From memory the sensor was just under the carpet by the seatbelt stalk.

Mine mainly flashed on when it was cold too, really annoying, but easy to fix

spark_38 · Post by **spark_38** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:48 pm

the AE111 differ slightly, it's attached to the actual coil assembly that the seatbelt retracts to.

i'm impressed a quick 5 min fix, i popped the side panel and unpluged the sensor, the dash indicator stopped flashing immediately - the sensor must short both pins when inactive so i suspect it became stuck. i'm not going to bother pulling it apart and fixing it.

also fixed the twist in the seatbelt which has been bugging me for some time now...

i'm glad jap cars are such simple fixes!