Honda SRS 61-10: Open in Driver's Seat Belt Buckle Switch

In this video I show how I troubleshoot a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) problem on a Honda. In this case it was a SRS code 61-10, which is an open in the driver's seat belt buckle switch. This is a very common problem on many Honda models.
SRS Airbag warning: SRS Airbags are a critical safety component and can deploy with enough force to seriously injury someone or worse, even with the battery disconnected. I do NOT recommend anyone work on a vehicle SRS Airbag system unless that person has been properly trained. This video is for entertainment only.
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[@BigDog50001]

*Tools* This channel earns a small commission using some of these links - at no additional cost to you. Autel MS906BT scan tool: amzn.to/2H5h0kE Contact Cleaner Used: amzn.to/2KxQBy1 The Big Dog 50001 Automotive Channel Store can be found here: www.amazon.com/shop/bigdog50001automotive

[@somkiatsirimahachaikul3989]

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[@Sagina1999]

Thanks Big Dog! Some electrical contact cleaner fix it for me. No need to disassemble the buckle. Wife had surely spilled a few coffees, and that's all it takes.

[@jlronning]

Guys - if it's just a seat belt issue causing the light, should be covered under Honda's lifetime seat belt warranty. Just brought mine in (2004 CR-V) and dealer confirmed. Great video though!

[@stuzman52]

Great step by step with the diagnostic approach with an easy fix at the end. And good tips about being cautious with the newer SRS systems as they are dangerous. Keep up the good work!

[@BigDog50001]

Thank you, I appreciate the comment!

[@harhar4607]

As usual a clear & concise presentation, a pleasure to watch. Kind regards

[@BigDog50001]

Thank you!

[@peachesandoreo]

Thank you for this video! Pulled the 61-10 code with my inexpensive blue driver, but didn't know how to fix it. It did turn out to be as simple as spraying a healthy dose of contact cleaner a few times down into the seat belt switch. And thanks for the warnings to beware of potentially causing the airbags to go off in newer models and giving me the confidence that me messing with the seat belt switch in this 2005 Honda was ok to do.

[@BigDog50001]

👍

[@WallyB_]

Amazing. My Honda Odyssey 2006 was acting up with the SRS dashboard light. Today I tackled the issue with some investigation after watching this video. Sure enough, if I started the Car with Buckle in, 6 seconds later the Fault Indicator went off. As soon as I pulled the buckle out, it came back. Exactly as described (open condition, not Buckle out). Little bit of Contact cleaner, Q-tip swirl and a blast of Air. Instantly things went back to normal. I feel safe Driving knowing the SRS is fully functional. THANK YOU for this video.

[@BigDog50001]

👍

[@wyattoneable]

Check. While working on SRS systems, be careful! I love fixes that don't have a cost for parts. And a bonus here, we learned something, thanks.

[@BigDog50001]

No cost for parts is always great, thanks for the comment!

[@MaheshVenkatcacoethes]

Awesome tip! It worked like a charm. Thanks for posting this video.

[@BigDog50001]

Glad it helped!

[@arthurfricchione8119]

good video Dave. Thanks for the safety precautions. 👍

[@BigDog50001]

Thank you for the comment, I always appreciate them!

[@Icesouldy]

Very helpful. I used MAF sensor cleaner as the electrical contact cleaner was not in stock. I could get the SRS light to go away but sometimes it came back. Another thing is that the seatbelt sign will work as intended when the contact sensor is working.

[@dr_920]

Great video. I have a 2004 Accord, which had the same issue, SRS light on and off. I learned from an online forum that Honda dealer will take care of it. It is free for repairing since it is related to the safety issue. The time I fixed it was Jan 2019.

[@BigDog50001]

Thanks for the comment!

[@nansataylor4435]

Actually Honda seatbelts have a lifetime warranty unless you spilled something inside of the buckle.

[@-r15-81]

I’ve got the same issue on 2005 TSX! My Acura dealer charged me for inspection and said that it’s not warranty case

[@a.g.5883]

Honda service departments are douche bags and have told me X, Y. or Z wasn't covered under warranty in the past and I had a lawyer send them a certified letter and only then did they honor a warranty issue. I'll NEVER buy another Honda. @@nansataylor4435

[@BigDog50001]

Be sure to subscribe for more tool and car repair videos! kzbin.info twitter.com/BigDog50001 instagram.com/bigdog50001/ Disclosure: This channel earns a small commission using some of these links - at no additional cost to you. The Big Dog 50001 Automotive Channel Store can be found here: www.amazon.com/shop/bigdog50001automotive

[@lindsaybillington39]

You totally nailed it Big Dog50001!!! This happened with my 2004 Honda Accord EX and I took it to the dealer because I knew the seatbelts were covered (just like you mentioned in your video). After 1.5 hrs of waiting they come back to tell me: 'it's not the seat belt but it's the module that controls the airbags. Your airbags won't deploy if this light is on - which is really dangerous; and to fix it, it's going to cost $800+ and that might not even fix it.' WTF?? They definitely tried the scare tactic and weasel $800 out of me. Thank you for this helpful video!!!

[@BigDog50001]

👍

[@a.g.5883]

Have an independent mechanic print out the SRS code and demand Honda cover it. @@BigDog50001

[@moises1330]

Very well explained sir best video by far thank u so much

[@BigDog50001]

Thanks for the comment!

[@justindavis5983]

I've had this light come on periodically in my 05 Odyssey for several years lol. Nice to know the cause!

[@BigDog50001]

Odyssey's are very prone to this code, thanks for the comment!

[@justindavis5983]

@@BigDog50001 thanks for the video!! I'm going to see if this works for me. Do you know if the light being on would affect the airbag performance or how they deploy?

[@rondail5675]

Good explanations! Thanks!! I hope my Foxwell scanner can read SRS codes.

[@BigDog50001]

Thanks 👍!

[@NTromb]

Thank you this was happening on my 05 Honda CRV same thing what a piss off Honda needs to step up and make their shit better as well as there’s so many other things I could get into on Honda vehicles that have just gone downhill since the 90s

[@richarddiaz8248]

Sir thank you for your knowledge and experience I sprayed contact cleaner and my seat belt and code cleared 😊

[@fire7765]

Great video, thx for sharing.

[@BigDog50001]

Thanks for the comment!

[@jerrellstrawn6409]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@BigDog50001]

Glad it helped, thanks for the comment!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great video brother

[@BigDog50001]

Thanks!

[@mrc79]

What year was this Honda ? Have N old 2005 Acura I’m hoping to do this with

[@jgeorges3061]

good info/video really enjoy ur video thanks for sharing . cheeeeeers

[@BigDog50001]

I appreciate the comment, thank you!

[@rayrosa5023]

I bought two Honda elements for delivery vehicles.. a2003and a 2004. Is it safe to spray the contact cleaner in the seat belt switches like you did? I thought they had pre tensioners on these years and I don’t want to deploy the airbags for sure… I’m a mechanic but haven’t been schooled on the airbags except to remove the battery cables from the battery before working on anything airbags…. I also have to change a broken clock spring in my 2001 Jeep Wrangler…

[@theVTgrizzly]

How does the seatbelt light correlate to the buckled/unbuckled? Could it still show as open and the seatbelt lite work as expected?

[@gtdodgeviper]

Great video. Very well explained. I got code 62-10 which is the same problem but for the passenger side. I used a Blue Driver scanner. Do you know if I can also do the live data like you did with the Blue Driver?

[@BigDog50001]

Not sure if the blue driver can see live SRS data, I have not used one. Thanks for the comment!

[@ciscokid2444]

I want to do what you did to fix this code my car is a 2007 S2000 as long as I have the key off and wait for it to dry completely I should be ok right? I don’t think my buckles have those explosives in them.

[@TrishZenCorner]

How long do you let it dry out before rescanning again? i just did it but nothing worked still have code... 😞

[@canuckfixit7722]

I have this problem in my '05 Element. I bought it used in June 2020 and the previous owner did what you did to "clean" the driver's buckle. It worked for a while but the SRS light came back on again. I contacted my Honda dealer (I'm in Canada) and they said its not covered under warranty and a new replacement is over $200. What a joke! I'll try contacting Honda Canada directly but I'm not hopeful.

[@BigDog50001]

Thanks for the input!

[@adityaruparel3320]

any news?

[@canuckfixit7722]

@@adityaruparel3320 No warranty and I confirmed this when I called the dealership to schedule the air bag recall. So, I just removed the buckle cover and inspected it. I think the previous owner just reset the light and called it a day and didn't clean anything. I blasted the interior with electrical contact cleaner. There was a problem with the latch not completely releasing due to some dust buildup thus causing the micro switch inside to not fully open or close. It works as it should now.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Great video. A common failure with a Honda? NAH!

[@BigDog50001]

I know it's hard to believe lol!

[@BadreQuest201]

Is it so dangerous? It is just cleaning up the contacts.. If I gonna take off the battery and do the same it won't trigger any explosions it is just cleaning the contacts, so I can do it by myself without any concerns, right?

[@nansataylor4435]

I took my car to the Honda dealer a few months ago and they told me that my seatbelt need to be replaced to make the light off. I found out today that Honda’s have a lifetime warranty unless something is spilled inside of the buckle. Should i give this a try before taking my car to Honda to replace my buckle not knowing whether i would have to pay or not?

[@BigDog50001]

I spoke about this in video some, they should be able to tell you if its a warranty repair. Most Honda dealers will replace the buckle for no charge if the vehicle has the lifetime warranty on the seat belts. I would try and have it fixed under warranty if it was my car.

[@coolchange3291]

Hi it's me again. I message you on your other video and you replied. I appreciate that and that fixed my airbag light but my car's battery kept draining overnight. I scanned it again and a new code came up and this time it is an ABS code 61-11 which is "Power source failure for ECU (Low voltage)" according to my Bluedriver. Any thoughts about this?

[@BigDog50001]

A low voltage DTC is most likely a symptom of the battery drain issue (and not the cause). There is most likely a module or some other component that is staying powered up when it should be off (or asleep). Troubleshooting for a parasitic drain on the battery is probably the next step.

[@1strichy09]

I think my airbag went off but didn't actually come out when I was driving 90 on the highway, because out of nowhere I heard a really loud hissing noise. Checked the engine and nothing had blown. My is a Honda 2011 and I got a scanner to check and it was coming with the srs code 27-10 which is the same as yours. "open seat tensioner etc" the light isn't on but I don't want to risk leaving it. What spray did you use to get it working?

[@BigDog50001]

Are you sure of that code, could it have been 21-10? In either case, the problem you describe is an issue with the Seat Belt Tensioner, which is definitely different than a problem with the Seat Belt Buckle Switch (the buckle is part of diagnostic circuit and the tensioner is part of the trigger circuit). The Seat Belt Tensioners are located in the door "B" pillars and have a small explosive charge inside them, they are fired by the SRS control unit in order to tighten the seat belts during a collision. *I would recommend having someone who knows these SRS systems look at it due to the possibility of serious injury*. Wiring issues can definitely cause these trouble code. A problem with the tensioner itself usually means the entire seat belt would need to be replaced (it is possible some dealers may cover this under the seat belt warranty but that might be stretch).

[@1strichy09]

@@BigDog50001 yeah just checked again, srs code 27-10 for sure. Thank you for the information. I will try to find a garage that knows about this srs problem and hopefully not charge too much! Thanks again, you have helped alot!

[@justinreid8851]

Have a 02 Honda civic of that has srs light im thinking it's the driver seat belt. Cause it's only 1 person driving??

[@BigDog50001]

It is very common problem but the SRS codes would need to be scan for a starting point.

[@raulinazario9462]

Hey brother I have 4-1 and 8-1 SRS code what should I do,

[@msbutterfly714]

My daughter owns honda accord 2010, Code read; 1 occupant position detection system and down underneath the code was "No signal from Driver Front impact sensor" . Is this a fuse we have to replace or ? Thanks in advance, appreciate it.

[@BigDog50001]

What is the actual code?

[@msbutterfly714]

@@BigDog50001 Im asking her to run it again and told her I need the number etc. I will have to try to get back with you tomorrow as Im dealing with Hurricane Dorian right now, dont know but I am quite sure the power will go out. Bear with me. I will be in touch. Thank you again appreciate it.

[@byronrogers4489]

I have the same thing on my 2010 Accord sedan. My code is 61.

[@thomasdemarco617]

would this cause a parasitic draw because bcm wont active timers

[@scottkramer481]

Can I use brake cleaner or MAF cleaner on that belt buckle?

[@BigDog50001]

I would not recommend using those.

[@peggyroyster1605]

My 2004 Honda CRV light is on and stays on but it has no code on a scanner. This is the SRS light. What do I do

[@BigDog50001]

A scan tool that can read Honda SRS codes is needed, hopefully that is what you are using. Sometimes if the vehicle has been in an accident the light will stay on even though there are no codes.

[@malikhan207]

Can I use WD-40?

[@a.g.5883]

Tell the time frame to let it dry! I did this spray and it seemed NOT TO WORK but after waiting over ONE SOLID HOUR and my mechanic clearing the "61-10" code it seems to have worked. If you are going to post a tutorial, state ALL of the facts like the drying time frame. We'll see if this really worked if the SRS light stays out after an hour and a half wait for the spray to totally dry out inside the buckle.

[@wdhewson]

I've the same problem. But it shows up a few miles down the road, never the same time,

[@BigDog50001]

Pretty common for it to act like that.

[@itsjrj]

I bought a 2003 Honda Accord and I need some help with a seat and airbag light. Big Dog do you have an email address I can reach you at? I have pictures i would like to send you.

[@hectorgalvan8674]

There's a recall on these model hondas both driver and passenger contact local dealer and they should replace both airbags no charge.

[@BigDog50001]

Yes there have been quite a few recalls for many items associated with Honda SRS systems. Thanks for the input!

[@joec8231]

Honda has a lifetime warranty on seat belt buckles, because it is a safety item. They replaced mine on my 03 honda.

[@BigDog50001]

True, unfortunately I have heard some dealers will try to play games and say it is an SRS issue not a seatbelt issue and not cover it under warranty.

[@cb400fhonda6]

Crooked dealers U r right

[@cb400fhonda6]

Does not help diy without a snap-on diag tool

[@BigDog50001]

I don't believe I used a Snap-On scan tool in this video but yes a scan tool capable of reading Honda SRS codes would be a minimum for troubleshooting.