What are these wires?

[Fastmerc]

Hello all,

I have the interior of my car apart to reinstall the stock stereo, and give it a deep clean, as well as some other minor things. While having the center console off, I noticed two wires coming out of the main harness with bullet connectors on the ends. They aren't connected to anything and I was wondering what they are for and if they should be connected to something?

I am also trying to figure out why my traction control doesn't seem to turn on. I have looked for another switch in the car to try and swap them to see if that is the problem but cannot find another 4 wire switch, any suggestions here?

Thanks,
Brett

[madden]

dont need to be connected

[RoadDad]

Take a picture of the wires and post it.

As for the TC, it is on unless you turn it off. Pressing the TC button for IIRC 5 secs or so will turn off the TC, illuminate the TC button itself and illuminate the TC dash warning light.

[waydui]

Originally Posted by Fastmerc

While having the center console off, I noticed two wires coming out of the main harness with bullet connectors on the ends. They aren't connected to anything and I was wondering what they are for and if they should be connected to something?

Those are most likely the seat belt warning light wires. They connect to the seat belt assembly and when you engage the belt, the dash light turns off. If you don't attach the seat belt, the warning light will come on.

Left completely unconnected from the seat belt assembly, you will not get the telltale seat belt warning light.

See pic for wires I'm referring to.

Regards,
Wayne

[twaszak1]

also if you cycled the key on and off too many times (5 i think) with the TC switch disconnected it will disable your TC.

T.J.

[Fastmerc]

here is a picture of the wires if it posts right.

Also, on the traction control I didnt know you had to hold the switch down for 5 secs...but I have since tried that and it still didnt light the switch or the dash. I pulled the switch and ohm tested it and it appears to be switching.

Thanks for the replies so far.

[Fastmerc]

oopps....didnt see that post before I posted my pic..those are the ones Waydui...thank you.

T.J. Im not sure if that happened or not but how would I return it to operation if it did happen to the traction control.

[waydui]

Originally Posted by Fastmerc

here is a picture of the wires if it posts right.

Yep, those are the seat belt warning light wires.

There are matching connectors on the driver's seat, assuming they haven't been removed.

Regards,
Wayne

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by Fastmerc

oopps....didnt see that post before I posted my pic..those are the ones Waydui...thank you.

T.J. Im not sure if that happened or not but how would I return it to operation if it did happen to the traction control.

Unfortunately, if the TC gets disabled, you have to take it to the dealer to have the ECU reflashed.

Basically, all the cars come with the TC software "enabled" - if the ECU doesn't "see" the switch the TC will not be "turned on". If the ECU doesn't see if for some small number of times, then it quits trying and flags itself internally that the car is not equipped with TC.

Or so that's the theory...

[Fastmerc]

Ouch Tim...The closest dealer to me is about 5 hours away. Anyone have an idea of how much they charge to flash the computer and will that mess anything else up as ive heard of peoples cars running badly after a flash? Is there any aftermarket flashing program?

P.S. it doesnt seem right that they should make u reflash for something that probably isnt well known like that...im sure that is what it is as the console has been off several times for stereo upgrades and such and the key has been turned on to test the equipment being installed without putting the console back in.

[charliex]

People are mostly right, the traction control only disables itself after the first 5 starts ever, not five starts in a row.

give me a call , numbers in my sig link and i'll help you out.

[xtn]

I might be mistaken here, but they don't ONLY serve to operate the dash light. They also serve to fire the belt tensioner during an accident. It's a wire you might want to connect.

xtn

[waydui]

Originally Posted by xtn

I might be mistaken here, but they don't ONLY serve to operate the dash light. They also serve to fire the belt tensioner during an accident. It's a wire you might want to connect.

xtn

Actually, I believe the seat belt tensioner is hooked into a different circuit, the S.I.R., Supplementary Restraint System (aka airbags and tensioners).

I say this because I removed my stock belts and tensioners units and had to rig a resistor to "trick" the SIR system to think the tensioners were still there.

There is also a separate warning light on the dash for the SIR system. The "Fasten Seat Belt" warning light is a different light.

But I've been known to be wrong...

Regards,
Wayne

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by charliex

People are mostly right, the traction control only disables itself after the first 5 starts ever, not five starts in a row.

This is good to know!

[xtn]

Originally Posted by waydui

Actually, I believe the seat belt tensioner is hooked into a different circuit, the S.I.R., Supplementary Restraint System (aka airbags and tensioners).

I say this because I removed my stock belts and tensioners units and had to rig a resistor to "trick" the SIR system to think the tensioners were still there.

There is also a separate warning light on the dash for the SIR system. The "Fasten Seat Belt" warning light is a different light.

But I've been known to be wrong...

Regards,
Wayne

You might be right. It's just that I only noticed one pair of wires going to the seat belt, so I assumed the circuit had to be both the firing trigger and the "fastened" sensor.

xtn

[waydui]

Originally Posted by xtn

You might be right. It's just that I only noticed one pair of wires going to the seat belt, so I assumed the circuit had to be both the firing trigger and the "fastened" sensor.

xtn

In doing a little more research, I found that the seat belt pre-tensioners and airbags are controlled by another circuit (from the Lotus Service Manual):

Sensor & Diagnostic Module (SDM)
The SDM is the main electronic control unit (ECU) of the SRS, whose function is to detect rates of forward deceleration, and when interpreted as a collision accident requiring supplementary occupant protection, the SDM triggers as a single set, the driver and passenger airbags and both seat belt pre-tensioners.

The SDM is located in the dash area and is not directly connected to or located by the seats.

So it would mean that the wires under the seat do NOT come into play when activating the Supplemental Restraint System.

Regards,
Wayne

[Fastmerc]

Thanks every1 for the information. It has helped greatly. Charlie I will be contacting you soon, thank you for the offer to help.

[xtn]

Originally Posted by waydui

The SDM is located in the dash area and is not directly connected to or located by the seats.

So it would mean that the wires under the seat do NOT come into play when activating the Supplemental Restraint System.

Then I'm damn curious how the tensioners are fired???!!!??? Are they magic?

xtn

[twaszak1]

Originally Posted by xtn

Then I'm damn curious how the tensioners are fired???!!!??? Are they magic?

xtn

the tensioners are on the reel end of the seat belt. They are not fancy like new cars where it reads if the belt is plugged in, or there is a person in the seat. If there is an accident that causes the airbags to deploy those tensioners will fire on both belts regardless of if they are being used or not.

[xtn]

So there's a pair of wiring going to the tensionioner for firing and another pair going to the latch for detection?

I only saw one pair of wires going to each tensioner when I R/Red my seats. I didn't find anything else dedicated to detecting the latched condition of the seatbelt.

xtn