W163 Airbag Issue

[thefair1973]

I picked up my new ML270 today and just wanted to check something. When I turn the ignition to point 1, the AIRBAG OFF and SRS lights come on. From reading the manual, I just want to know if this means:
1. It's supposed to happen
2. The automatic child seat recognition system has malfunctioned

If it's option 2, is there anything I can do to check the system? I understand that there's some form of sensor in teh front seat that automatically recognises certain Mercedes-branded child seats and disables the airbags accordingly. I dont have a child seat fitted, although one will be going in the rear seats on Sunday when I get back home. I just want to know whether this is something I can simply rectofy, or if I need to call teh garage and arrange for it to be repaired professionally.

Thanks in advance.

Jon

 

[thefair1973]

as an addition, the two lights go off once I've started the engine, but I'm obviously anxious to know if passengers are at risk because their airbag is disabled? So, if there is an issue, if the light is extinguished, is the airbag still active?

 

[Shude]

AFAIK if there is any problem with the passenger occupancy sensor (or indeed any other part of the airbag system) then the airbag light will be on all the time and no airbags will deploy in the event of an appropriate collision. Even if you unplug the passenger seat and start the car the airbag light will come on and won't go out until a workshop has reset the computer.

The fact that the lights go out after a couple of seconds tells me that everything is working ok.

 

[thefair1973]

OK, thanks. I just wanted to check as they illuminate every time I turn the key to the first setting on the ignition.