Airbag (SRS) and SWS Systems in Honda & Acura
SRS Module Replacement
- Replacement SRS Module will need to be initialized or “married” to the front passenger seat, which has a weight sensing system (OPDS, SWS), otherwise it will have codes like
- SRS DTC 81-64 (FCU serial number ID code inconsistent) or
- (internal failure of the front passenger’s seat weight sensor unit)
- SRS DTC 85-64 (FCU serial number ID code inconsistent) or
- (internal failure of the OPDS unit)
- SRS DTC 81-64 (FCU serial number ID code inconsistent) or
- Perform SWS System Initialization (read below ⇩)
SWS System (OPDS ODS SWS)
SWS / OPDS / ODS is Seat Weight Sensor System. It measures the weight of the passenger and determines, whether to allow airbag deployment in the event of a crash or not. If the front passenger seat has a child sitting on it, SWS System will disable airbag deployment.
SWS System Initialization (OPDS ODS SWS)
If you replace OPDS/SWS Weight Sensors, OPDS Control Unit, or SRS Module, you might need to initialize the SWS System.
The procedure will depend on the car and what work has been done on it.
1. Automatic Initialization
- If you are replacing an SRS Module with a brand new unit, some of them will perform SWS initialization automatically the first time you turn the ignition on after the installation.
- Make sure that front passenger seat is empty, with no objects pushing it from any side.
- Make sure that there are no other codes in the SRS Module, besides the SWS codes.
- Turn ignition ON (don’t start the car) and wait for 10 seconds.
- Turn ignition OFF, and wait for another 10 seconds.
- Turn ignition ON again and wait for 6 seconds.
- If the SRS light didn’t turn off, use a diagnostic scanner to do it.
2. Initialization with a Scanner
On relatively newer models (approx. 2016 – up)
- HDS ➱ SRS ➱ Special Functions ➱ SWS Initialization
On older models (varies, but approx. before 2016)
- HDS ➱ SRS ➱ Special Functions ➱ ODS Initialization
OR
- HDS ➱ SRS ➱ Special Functions ➱ SWS Initialization
- HDS ➱ SRS ➱ Special Functions ➱ OPDS Initialization
3. Manual Mode ODS Calibration
(2006-2008 Civic, 2006 Element, etc.)
Procedure #1 (MES & SCS Connectors)
- Turn the Ignition OFF.
- Jump the SCS Connector manually with a jumper wire or with a scanner (HDS Scanner ➱ Service Functions ➱ SCS)
- Jump the MES Connector with a jumper wire.
- Turn the Ignition ON and watch the SRS Light.
- After turning the ignition switch to ON (II), the SRS indicator comes on for 6 seconds and then goes off.
- Within 4 seconds after the indicator goes off, disconnect the jumper from the MES connector.
- Within 4 seconds after the SRS indicator comes on again, reconnect the jumper to the MES connector.
- Within 4 seconds after the SRS indicator goes off, disconnect the jumper from the MES connector.
- Watch the SRS indicator:
- If the SRS indicator blinks twice and then goes off, the ODS unit is initialized.
- If SRS doesn’t go off, you might want to clear codes from the SRS Module or try Procedure #2.
Procedure #2 (Buckle & SCS Connector)
- Buckle the driver’s seat belt.
- Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
- After turning the ignition switch to ON (II), the SRS indicator comes on for 6 seconds and then goes off.
- Within 4 seconds after the indicator goes off, unbuckle the driver’s seat belt.
- Within 4 seconds after the SRS indicator comes on again, buckle the driver’s seat belt.
- Within 4 seconds after the SRS indicator goes off, unbuckle the driver’s seat belt.
- Watch the SRS indicator:
- If the SRS indicator blinks twice and then goes off, the ODS unit is calibrated.
📚 More info ➯ 2006-2008 Honda Civic OPDS Manual Mode.pdf
MES, SCS (Service Check Connector) Connector Locations
- MES connector is reserved for the air bag system functions, like manually calibrating ODS System.
- SCS connector is needed to perform various calibrations in different systems in the car
Seat Belt Buckle
Many older Honda and Acura have failing seat belt buckles that would throw error codes like
- 61-10 open in left front seat belt buckle switch
- 9-3 driver seat belt buckle switch failure
This almost always means that you need a replacement buckle.
An easy test would be to short with a jumper wire pin 1 and 3 on a grey (or blue) buckle connector.
📝 Notes
- 📝 53-01 SRS Module Failure
- Could be caused by a bad SRS Module
- Could be caused if someone tries to test a driver’s front buckle with resistor, but connects it to the wrong plug, thus confusing SRS Module and causing 53-01 (2011 Honda CRV)