I've taken out the passenger side airbag, and the SRS light kept staying on - as it should have. I don't have the passenger seat in, so there's really no harm. So, I searched around for directions on resetting the light, and found some decent writeups (http://www.geocities.com/myintegra96/srs.html), but nothing Prelude-specific. So, I figured I'd take some pics as I started plugging along.

First, I replaced the airbag with a resistor of the same rating (2W 2.2Ohm), so the computer would function as if it was still there:


By the way, PM me if ya need one of these resistors, I got a whole bunch 'cause the site I was ordering from had a min order requirement.

Next, I found the MES plug. Here it is:

The plug is behind some wires directly under the steering wheel column. It plugs into a yellow clip with a red fastner, and has two wires wrapped in yellow plastic going to it. The clip has no wires coming out of it, it's just a holder, so if you're unplugging something that looks like it's connected to something else, stop.

The directions for resetting the light using the MES connector are fairly simple:
1) Find two holes on the plug:

2) Make a conductor of some kind to plug into those holes. A paper clip will do:

3) Plug it in, turn the ignition on without starting the car
4) When the SRS light goes off, disconnect
5) When the light comes back on, reconnect
6) The light will go off again. Disconnect.
7) If all goes well, the SRS light will blink twice
8) Turn ignition off, wait 10 seconds, start the car, enjoy

 

A much easier way you could turn your SRS light off is buy simply taking the bulb out

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by prelude1897 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A much easier way you could turn your SRS light off is buy simply taking the bulb out </TD></TR></TABLE>

Point is that this way the driver side airbag should still function in a crash... Hopefully.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by datac99 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Point is that this way the driver side airbag should still function in a crash... Hopefully.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Aw, I was thinking that he also changed out the steering wheel when I posted that

 

Nice write-up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by datac99 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Point is that this way the driver side airbag should still function in a crash... Hopefully.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Heheh that's my problem... I keep wondering if I give enough of a **** to wire in a resistor so the passanger bag still works... Too much other crap to do though... And never enough time ;-)

 

Hey there,

Well I just took off my Stock Steering Wheel for my 4th Gen. Prelude. I was wondering if I may have one of those resistors (assuming you have one and would like to help me out)

I tried taking out the 10A fuse and realized that didn't bypass the system. Then I tried taking out the cluster and I felt it was too much touble for a light.

Do the 4th gens have similar MES ? and what's MES? Monkey Engine sensor?

I hate Electrical.

 

I think MES stands for "Memory Erase Signal", but you really have to do a monkey dance when you reset that damn light

Don't know if 4th gens have the same system, but I have a feeling they do, because the directions I saw were for Integras/Civics/etc. etc. PM me if you want a resistor.

 

Will this work on a 98 civic? Also could you put one in the steering wheel and one in the pass. airbag? I have a non srs wheel and a block off try for the pass side. I just dont want the info to come up on a scanner.

 

Where did you find the 2ohm resistors ? I looked at radio shack and didn't find anything smaller than i think it was 10 or 8 ohms. I tried those and no luck.

 

2.2 ohms is a standard resistor value. 2 watts is what makes it less common. Radio Shack is not a parts store.

Try Mouser Electronics and Digikey Electronics. They sell small quantities.

I don't know the specifics of the Honda, but I designed controls and instrumentation in the automotive industry. It's possible Honda senses voltage drop across (or current through) that resistor to detect a bad connection or fault (short) in the air bag and wiring. In that case the resistor value may be somewhat critical. This means the 2.2 ohms part MIGHT be critical. You might try a ten ohm and see what happens.

The 2 watts strikes me as a little unusual. That would imply 1/2 to 1 ampere of current which implies 5-10 watts of wasted heat somewhere else in the system. The 2 watt requirement is possible, but my gut feeling is it is unlikely. Most likely a lower wattage would work.

If it really takes 2.2 ohms with some reasonable tolerance, you could probably get away with 4 ten-ohm 1/2 watt resistors in parallel (that would make 2.5 ohms 2 watts) or two 4.7 ohm 1 watt in parallel (that would result in 2.35 ohms 2 watts), or three 6.8 ohm 1/2 watt in parallel if your local Rat Shack has them.

Tom

 

Hopefully, he found that answer over 2 years ago

 

Thank you very much for this information. Very helpful and easy to follow.

 

Awesome thread, thanks. You can get the resistors from Ebay.

I got the "2 Watt" "2.2 ohm" 2R2 metal film resistor, $1.98 for 10 resistors.