Dsisler

I have a 97 lude just purchased with the SRS light on. Researched how to clear the light with a paper clip in the MES plug under the steering wheel. Imagine my surprise to find a paper clip permanently plugged into the MES connector already. When the paper clip is removed, the car will NOT RUN! It will turn over but not start. Does anyone have an idea of what is causing the engine not to run.
Thanks for any ideas or places to look for information.

preludeNApower

I have been doing mobile airbag diagnostics for three years and i havent seen that before. I would have to look at a wiring diagram to get a good idea. But Clearly shorting that circuit is effecting the PCM.

Scan the PCM for codes with the circuit open vs closed.
Get SRS scanned while you're at it if you have a tool to scan it (obd2 conn.)

Unplug the SRS module and see if it starts

Do you know specifically why it isn't starting? What's it missing? Spark/fuel/timing

yohan

Are you 100% sure its the SRS Ecu you're plugging into ?

I've seen a thread where somebody was unable to start the car when the paperclip was not plugged into the ecu jumper

Dsisler

Thanks for reply. I am trying to do this cheaply. Can Autozone or someone similiar scan the PCM and SRS for codes? As to the car not starting, it feels like the ignition is disabled but I have not verified that in any fashion. What do you think about pulling the paper clip from the MES plug while the car is running to see if it shutsndown. Any consequences that you can think of?
By the way, I appreciate the help.

preludeNApower

Autozone can scan PCM only as far as I know.

Won't hurt to pull the clip with it parked and idling

preludeNApower

Going to need a real scan tool. I always use HDS (factory scan tool) on hondas, I think a decent snap on scanner can read the SRS

Dsisler

I am pretty sure that this is the SRS plug that the paperclip was plugged into. The plug is a yellow two pin connector with nothing available to plug it into and it was located directly under the steering column. When and where did you see the post on being unable to start car without paperclip plugged in the ECU jumper. I would like to,track that one down and read what the conclusions were. Thanks for the input.

Dsisler

In your opinion is the steering wheel airbag completely disabled? Are there other things to check or try to locate the issue?

preludeNApower

Is the SRS light on? With and without it jumped?

Dsisler

Yes, the SRS stays on no matter what I do.