[sontt007]

Hi everybody,
I fixed my driver seatbelt buckle today. The symptom is the airbag light turn on intermittent . If I seat belt before starting the car, then the air bag light won't turn on.

First, remove the cover with a star headed screwdriver. Then, open the cover. I clean the switch and other parts,lubricate with a little Wd-40 . After that, I adjust the gap between the lever and the switch about 1 mm . Finally, put everything back together. Hope this work for those who have the same symptom like mine . Save some money.:banana:

 

[RyanAccord]

that's great that you were able to get in there and solve the problem.

i am having this issue. i had planned to contact honda to see if they can solve it at a minimal cost. .... but this sounds like an options too, (if they give me too much of a hassle).

I didn't get a clear idea of what you did from the description. this wouldve been a great thing to video record. i am sure we are not the only ones with this issue.

thanks again!

 

[Thdr9669]

I just did this also about 2 months ago, although without pics for a write up. The system uses a sealed micro-switch. I used my multi-meter and tested the functionality of the switch which was good. I believe that the metal lever distorts, or flatten outs a bit over time and does nott activate the switch properly. It was an easy fix. I am glad you took pictures because I was kicking my self for not.

 

[sontt007]

that's great that you were able to get in there and solve the problem.

i am having this issue. i had planned to contact honda to see if they can solve it at a minimal cost. .... but this sounds like an options too, (if they give me too much of a hassle).

I didn't get a clear idea of what you did from the description. this wouldve been a great thing to video record. i am sure we are not the only ones with this issue.

thanks again!

This job is pretty easy, just a little time consuming. You have to remove the seat with a 14 mm socket. Slide the seat all the way back to open the 2 front bolts, then slide the seat all the way to the front to open the 2 back bolts. There are 2 plastic cover on the back bolts, you need to pry it out to access to the bolt. Then , lift the seat to remove the bolt on the side that hold the seatbelt buckle with a 14mm wrench or socket. That 's how to remove the seatbelt buckle from the driver seat.

 

[c10td]

Great job!

But actually u can find a honda dealer, seatbelt buckle is under lifetime warranty, they will replace it for u for free:banana:

 

[RyanAccord]

Great job!

But actually u can find a honda dealer, seatbelt buckle is under lifetime warranty, they will replace it for u for free:banana:

true.

i am going to start there, before i start taking seats out, etc. ... but i am glad to see that someone was able to solve the issue on thier own.

 

[undftd_182]

Great job!

But actually u can find a honda dealer, seatbelt buckle is under lifetime warranty, they will replace it for u for free:banana:

+1 Props on getting it done on your own, but nothings better than getting something fixed for FREE from the stealership :thmsup:

 

[RyanAccord]

from the stealership

lol :lmao:

 

[MikeCz]

Hi all, thought I would add my findings to the thread, great pics BTW.

I have been having problems with the Air-Bag light for some time. When it first happened I had a look at the codes (I have a Honda HIM and Honda software running on my car-pc) and it identified the Driver seat belt sensor.

I’m in no position at the moment to go down the dealer path and as I was removing the seat for another project, I decided to take a look at the buckle.

This condition had been getting worse and if I watched the lights closely I noticed that every so often the seat belt indicator was not coming on as the seat belt was released. I was interested to see if the metal actuating slide that drives the micro-switch lever could be binding in any way.

Well it wasn’t, and the Micro-switch lever was not bent or fatigued. Micro switches normally have a definite click as the internal spring loaded switch flicks between the two contacts and this is independent of how fast or how far the actuating lever travels, it just has to move and release enough to allow that action to happen. The switch action occurs over a very small amount of the total lever travel. FYI the switch in this unit is a double throw single pole, IE A changeover switch.

Testing on the bench proved it to be working faultlessly in both directions. One of the tests I did before removing from the vehicle was to slowly withdraw the belt from the buckle, I could get it to fault more often than if I ejected it quickly, again, that’s strange if it’s just a switch contact problem as in a micro switch, the internal changeover speed is not affected by how fast you move the lever.

I think there is a possibility that in my case, the sealed plunger which is driven into the switch by the lever may have been binding. I read somewhere of the red sealing ring being levered out with a pin and someone spraying cleaner into the micro-switch (ruined the seal). However it may have just been the rubber/plastic sealing ring that was the problem after all.

I was not going to do anything to the switch that could affect a possible lifetime replacement policy (haven’t had a straight answer on that over here as yet) so I simply sprayed the shaft with a special contact cleaner and switch lubricant (one that leaves no residue for dust to adhere to and is plastic friendly). I also sprayed/cleaned the under seat plug and socket as I had read of intermittent problems there as well. Assembled and back in the vehicle and it’s been perfect for the last few days, it will be interesting to see how long it holds up.

I’ve serviced various equipment running high cycle “sealed” micro switches and over time I can’t really remember having to replace them for an intermittent switch contact, they either worked or they didn’t, anyway, I thought this may be of interest to someone.

BTW, the micro switch and lead assembly just pop out, carefully though, it’s a plastic locating tab on the switch that locks into a metal spring clip/retainer.

 

[FillG]

I had my buckle apart looking at it a couple weeks ago since my local dealer wants to charge me $100 just to pull it in their service bay. The thing I noticed right off the bat was that everything was covered with dust and fuzz and there were several large fluffy clumps of dust in it also. I blew it out really good with the compressor made sure everything else looked "right" then put it back together but it still has the same problem. I may try some plastic friendly cleaner next time I get around to taking it apart.

Seems like I notice it most if I start the car then for some reason unbuckle my seatbelt until the light comes on then fasten it back. The light never goes back off unless I shut the car down and start it back up. This happens most frequently going through a drive-thru when I unbuckle it to get my wallet out.

 

[GolftangoV2]

Folks, seatbelts are covered under warranty for the life of the vehicle as long as the title is clear (not a rebuild or branded).

 

[BLCKFLSH]

I had fixed mine a couple of times, until the actuator arm broke off, then I took it to the dealership and had them change it (no charge). I was able to open the buckle without removing it from the seat. You have to push the seat cushion down a good bit, but not too hard.

 

[MikeCz]

Folks, seatbelts are covered under warranty for the life of the vehicle as long as the title is clear (not a rebuild or branded).

And I stated that I am not in a position to do that at this time and I noted the lifetime replacement policy in my post.

 

[CarlR33]

I can attest that the dealer will fix these things under lifetime warrenty. It was painless.

 

[MikeCz]

That’s really great to hear, owners on this and other threads/forums have found the same, it can be as simple as a warranty trip to the dealer. However that is not the case for some countries with owners ending up trying to convince local dealers that the problem is with the seat belt holding mechanism itself and not just the switch in an attempt to get a warranty replacement. Others have exhausted all avenues and ended up paying for the repair. If you can’t get a resolution from Honda, for whatever reason, then threads like this one may help someone.

 

[MikeCz]

I have been told by Honda that there is NO Limited Lifetime Warranty on Seat Belts in AU.

I looked at my Owner’s Manual and the Section “Warranty Coverage” is NOT INCLUDED. The overseas handbook has this under the heading “Warranty Coverage - U.S. Owners section”

“Seat Belt Limited Warranty - a seat belt that fails to function properly is covered for the useful life of the car.”

“Canadian Owners, Please refer to the Warranty Manual that came with your car.”

I have a feeling that it may not be in the Canadian owner’s manual either? :dunno:

Again spent wasted hours trolling through various AU Honda forums and it’s the same story. Owner contacted Honda and was told no lifetime limited warranty, said it only applies to US. Post after post where owners are paying through the nose for new seatbelts :thumbsdow

 

[CarlR33]

One wonders if our litigious American society is to blame for us getting the warrenty :dunno:??

 

[fazio767]

Congrats! That is something that always happened on my TSX... The 2004 Accord i bought used has not had that issue yet.. although it has had many other thigns wrong with it

 

[MikeCz]

One wonders if our litigious American society is to blame for us getting the warrenty :dunno:??

Yes I don’t doubt that at all, size of the market and Honda Vehicle manufacturing in US would also be a big influence. AU is such a small market it’s easy for them to fob us off.

Anyway, I have tried every which-way to trick the system but after my repair the Air-Bag light operation is perfect. Either the spray I used worked its way into the switch via the plunger or the Plug under the seat had a slightly dirty connection and was randomly causing an out of tolerance signal.

 

[MikeCz]

For anyone interested, almost two months and still working like new.