SRS Light after Wreck and Repair
 

Ok I drive a 1998 C280, and about a month ago, I got in an wreck, accidentally hitting someone from behind.

The accident was only at about 10 MPH and the air bags did not go off. I hit a Silverado so not only did it go above my bumper and damage the hood and healights, it did absolutely nothing to his truck.

Anyways, after spending about a month in the shop, I finally got my car back yesterday, but the SRS light stayed on the entire drive home. The light is still on, and I have no idea why.

Are there sensors that need to be replaced after the impact? I don't rememeber seeing the light on after the accident when I drove the car to the body shop. Could they have messed something up? The only reason I'm not taking it straight back in is because they are closed on the weekends, and if it is something simple, maybe I could fix it.

Any help would be appreciated because, as I understand it, with that light on the airbags/SBT's don't work and I have to drive this car all day.

Thanks in advance.

Could be a number of things, including the ideas you posted. Impossible to tell whether this is a direct result of the accident or something they disconnected while working on the car. Many shops "safe" the SRS system while banging around under the front end to avoid tripping the bags and costing themselves big money. There's also a personnel hazard if someone is in the car.
Either way, the car isn't "fixed". They need to finish the job. Hopefully, its something simple. If not, they'll need a MB compatible scanner to read the system. After the repair, make sure the light comes on for a short time when you start the car (its the system diagnostic checking the system). I've heard of repair guys pulling the bulb.
And, yep, your SRS system is "off line" while the light it on.

I completely agree with KenP.

It should immediately go back to the shop so they can properly complete the job. It should be diagnosed and repaired by the shop you contracted to make your car work properly.

They gave you a car with a non-functional SRS, so they have some liability exposure. If you were to be in a crash and the SRS did not function, it would be their fault.

You probably already know that you should not have accepted the car with a warning light on, but instead returned and asked them why it was on. Don't finish their work for them, let them do it. ;)

Best Regards,
Jim

Not necessarily. It could also mean that the airbag is closer to deploying than it should be. :eek:
I would not count on that, though. Get it checked.

Most likely, they . . .
 

. . accidently or purposely, disconnected one of the SRS 'plugs' ==== OR ==== they disconnected one, started the car, and subsequently re-plugged the connector.

You can diagnose which it is by using a SCANNER to reset the SRS system. If the SRS goes out and stays out, then the scenario was the second.

If it doesn't, it's the first; the good news the scanner will tell you which it is, so you can have them fix it. They PROBABLY don't have a MB compatible scanner, so they coudn't reset it.

The SRS system must be reset w/ a scan tool; it won't go out by itself.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the responses.

To make matters worse, the check engine light came on today!

Ah, she goes straight back in tommorow morning.

Mercedes crash systems deploy in stages depending on how many seat belts are fastened and severity of the impact. I'm guessing tht the air bags didn't deploy, because the impact was light, however, the squibs for the seat belt tensioners probably fired and need to be replaced.

Peter