Easy Honda Civic SRS Light Fix!

For the longest time, my car's Airbag light (SRS light) was on. My friend with an OBD-2 reader scanned the code and it came back 9-3 which means that the driver seat belt switch was faulty.
To buy a new part, we're looking at $3-400. Around $600 including labour of diagnostics & install. I couldn't find a used buckle from a wrecker in Calgary.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, so I took a crack at fixing it myself. I had just bought some contact cleaner anyways and thought it might come in handy for this job.
The only tools needed are a 10mm socket + ratchet for the battery post
14mm socket + ratchet
contact cleaner
a sewing pin that you can turn into a precision hook
a can-do additude
If you have the 9-3 fault code on your 2001-2005 Honda Civic, I hope this video helps you get that fixed!
Music:
Rooftop - Bobo Renthlei
Cafe Radio - Nu Alkemi$t
Licensed through Sound Stripe

[@darylbulloch3742]

Perfect will have to check the accord to see if its this problem!

[@LesterFougere]

Just shows you that the average guy can fix a lot of car issues with a little help from you fellows on KZbin. Thanks Levi

[@justink6995]

Just did this on my 2005, it 100% worked! Thank you, that saved me a bunch of money!

[@timmullins2803]

When do you plug the yellow connector back together before or after starting

[@Levisrad]

Hi Tim, After doing the process I outlined at 6:20, I plugged the yellow connector back into its normal spot after I had cleared the code and turned the car off again. I hope this helps!

[@timmullins2803]

@@Levisrad it did help thank you very much.

[@Levisrad]

@@timmullins2803 glad it worked! You’re very welcome. Glad I could help. Have a great day

[@timmullins2803]

@@Levisrad Man you are a God send. Have a great night

[@alexandrefauchon7755]

I have the same car with the same light! Would the airbags still work in that situation??? I just got them changed at the dealer for takata recall! The light was on before and is still on! But Honda did not say anything about it

[@Levisrad]

Hi, yes I've been in the exact same situation. I had my takata airbags recalled, the dealership didn't address the SRS light being on at all. When I asked them about it, they told me the SRS light was a separate issue and would cost X to inspect & diagnose and then cost another amount for the parts replacement. I chose not to have them work on it because I thought I'd try it myself to save some money. The airbag recall/replacement doesn't really change the status of the SRS light if there's a fault somewhere in the system. In theory, the fault could be anywhere in the system, but the buckle is a common failure point, so that would be worth trying to take out & clean up. Years of dust & crumbs are typically what make that SRS buckle sensor stop working. If you do attempt to take the seatbelt buckle out, be careful with it. There's a pressurized cylinder on there & if you drop it, it may explode. Safety first! If you're not comfortable removing the seat & disassembling the buckle, have it properly repaired by a licensed mechanic. I hope this helps!

[@alexandrefauchon7755]

@@Levisrad thanks a lot!

[@Thebowhuntingbertaboy]

Great fix!!

[@christianmeza1550]

If I turn the light off will it pass inspection becuase the belt was the reason it failed

[@Levisrad]

I think so, yes. I'm not a mechanic, so I can't really guarantee that this is the 'right answer', but here's my take. The error light on the dash is a result of an electronic communication problem. By fixing the belt buckle like I did in the video, I restored the electronic communication, removing the error light on the dash. As long as everything is put back together properly with adequate torque, there would be no reason (that I can think of) that this would fail an inspection after repair, unless you have a different problem, or the repair was not performed correctly. If you're decently mechanically inclined and have the right tools, I recommend giving this repair a try, and see if it'll fix your SRS light. Double check that you're getting the same error code (google how to do that without a reader). I think it's definitely worth the time investment, as you're saving hundreds of dollars by trying to make this repair yourself. Just make sure you do a good job, because this is a safety sensitive repair. You don't want your seat belt coming loose in 6 months! I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck in getting your car past inspection! Safe travels friend!

[@christianmeza1550]

@@Levisrad yeah so I search up how to do it and it got the same thing with the whole 9-3 flashes and stuff and I just cleaned it like you did and after a few tries I got to restart the light so tmr morning if the light dose not show I’ll take it in to get the inspection (also the only reason I ask cuz it end in two day and Honda planning on fixing it but told me part would come in 3 weeks later so until then, this would have to do)

[@Levisrad]

@@christianmeza1550 nice! Sounds like you fixed it. Good luck on the inspection!

[@davidlyon5816]

what music did you use in the video?

[@Levisrad]

It's a song called "Rooftop" by Bobo Renthlei - licensed through Sound Stripe. I believe this artist has a whole pop punk style album of royalty free music on there - I really enjoy it!

[@Levisrad]

I also had this other track later in the video: Cafe Radio - Nu Alkemi$t