Front left malfunction consult workshop

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Bugster

New Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2017
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4
Car
C Class 2012
Hi,

The seatbelt in my 2012 C Class was damaged, but when I researched it, I had to replace the whole seatbelt unit in the door frame, which I did. The new unit and seatbelt seem to work fine, but the notification 'Front left malfunction consult workshop' message now comes up in my display unit. I've read on other threads that I should have disconnected the batteries before doing any work, which I didn't do. There were a couple of connectors I had to unplug and I reconnected these to the new unit. I don't think anything is wrong with the new unit and I think I installed it correctly.

Does anyone know if this is an indication that the new unit is faulty? Or is this message normal after installing new units to do with the safety belts or airbags? Does anyone have any advice on how to clear the message if normal?

I've attached pictures of the unit I replaced and message on my dash.

I thank you in advance!

Gerhard

 

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Could be that you triggered a code being logged and that needs to be cleared. Or it could be the part you have (appears second hand looking at the photo) could be faulty...

You’ll need to plug in and scan, review the fault code and clear it to know if it’s a part issue or just logged due to being disconnected with battery connected.
 
Could be that you triggered a code being logged and that needs to be cleared. Or it could be the part you have (appears second hand looking at the photo) could be faulty...

You’ll need to plug in and scan, review the fault code and clear it to know if it’s a part issue or just logged due to being disconnected with battery connected.
Ok many thanks. I have it booked in for Monday as the MOT is also due. I shall feed back on the outcome. Fingers crossed that it just needs clearing!
 
Did you get this sorted? Had this message on my car this morning. C250.

Thanks
 
Did you get this sorted? Had this message on my car this morning. C250.

Thanks
Hi, I did get it sorted. The issue was that I de-connected and reconnected with the battery still connected as I initially thought. The car was due for service anyway, so the mechanic was able to run a diagnostic and clear the faults. Still working fine with no issues! Perhaps ask someone with a diagnostic to clear the faults if nothing obvious is wrong?
 
Thanks for the quick reply. Mines done it twice in the last two days, 5 seconds later it clears itself with no other warning lights on the dash and without powering off/on the car. Strange!
Yes ive got another issue separate to this (limp mode) which ive got book in for a diagnostic, so will add this to my list. Hopefully like you say, clearing it may solve it.
 
Hi, I did get it sorted. The issue was that I de-connected and reconnected with the battery still connected as I initially thought. The car was due for service anyway, so the mechanic was able to run a diagnostic and clear the faults. Still working fine with no issues! Perhaps ask someone with a diagnostic to clear the faults if nothing obvious is wrong?

Glad you got it sorted.

Might be a good idea to invest in an iCarsoft or a Carly.... you'll be able to clear faults yourself if the need ever arises again.
 
Thanks for the quick reply. Mines done it twice in the last two days, 5 seconds later it clears itself with no other warning lights on the dash and without powering off/on the car. Strange!
Yes ive got another issue separate to this (limp mode) which ive got book in for a diagnostic, so will add this to my list. Hopefully like you say, clearing it may solve it.

Unfortunately you can't clear a fault code that has already cleared itself. Its status will change from 'present' to 'stored', and clearing the historic 'stored' fault codes is like erasing a history log file and will have no effect on anything that's happening in the car now, nor will it prevent the fault from reoccurring.

Reading the historic fault codes, however, is important because it might pinpoint the component that has caused them.

The most common issue causing an SRS fault relating to the front passenger seat is a faulty pressure sensor mat (Front Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor).

Replacement will cost £300-£400 from a specialist (parts and labour). Some people will fit cheap Chinese 'cheat device' (emulator) bought off AliExpress, in order to avoid the repair cost, but I do not recommend that....

Before going the sensor mat replacement route, you could check the connectors at the base of the front passenger seat, just in case, and move the seat back and forth a few times. You can also disconnect and clean then reconnect the electric plug at the base of the seat, but unless you have a scanner to clear the SRS fault code that this will cause, make sure that you do this with the battery disconnected.

The issue can also be something to do with the seatbelt, but again the most likely cause will be the pressure sensor mat.
 
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