Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
SRS Units With Deployment DTCS: What You Should Know (B08020C)
Reference number: B08020C
SRS UNITS WITH DEPLOYMENT DTCS: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
| ACURA: | ALL MODELS |
| CURRENTLY APPLIES TO: | All models with SRS |
SERVICE INFORMATION
Got a vehicle with the SRS indicator on? Before you start troubleshooting the SRS, check the SRS unit for deployment DTCs. Those DTCs mean that the vehicle was in a collision in which one or more SRS components (seat belt tensioners, seat belt buckle tensioners, airbags, side airbags, side curtain airbags, etc.) deployed.
To ensure driver and passenger safety, every applicable S/M gives specific instructions on what to do after an SRS deployment. (Online, enter keywords SRS DEPLOYMENT , and select Component Replacement/Inspection After SRS Deployment from the list.) For each deployed component, there's a list of SRS components that must be replaced. The SRS unit must be replaced with a new one after every deployment .
Deployment sets specific DTCs, depending on what components deployed. Once those DTCs are set, the SRS indicator comes on and stays on. And those DTCs are permanent -you can't clear them. Keep in mind that a vehicle that was involved in a collision may come back from a body shop with the SRS indicator on simply because the necessary SRS components weren't replaced after the collision.
If the SRS unit has deployment DTCs, it's a good idea to check out the vehicle history and to look at the undercarriage for any signs of impact damage; you may need to replace other SRS components. Always check the SRS component replacement list in the applicable S/M or in ISIS, and make sure that all required parts were installed. And double-check the part numbers to make sure that those parts are the right ones for that vehicle.
Be aware that some aftermarket companies claim that they can "reset" the SRS indicator and clear crash data from OEM SRS units after a deployment. Acura does not support any reset procedure after deployment . Data storage is only one function of the SRS unit; there are other components in the unit that could have been damaged in the deployment. The only repair is to replace the SRS unit. If an SRS unit is reused after a deployment, it may not work properly and may lead to serious injury or death.
And one more thing, replacement of SRS components due to deployment from a collision is not covered by Acura warranty. Do not return an SRS unit to Warranty Parts Inspection (WPI) if it's got deployment DTCs. If their inspection and investigation reveals that a collision was involved, your claim could be debited.
So if you've got an SRS unit with deployment DTCs, always replace it with a new one but do not file a warranty claim or return the unit to WPI. Our best advice: If you're not sure how to proceed with the repair work . . . just talk to your DPSM.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.