Hi, this is my first post on these forums. Apologies if the post is in the wrong place or anything, I'm quite a noob when it comes to forums.

I'm in the UK, outer London specifically and purchased a 2008 H3 a few months ago. I love it so much but I have had a fair few issues with it so far. Luckily had warranty with the dealer I got it from so have saved a bit of money on repair costs so far..

I've been checking out these forums since purchasing the vehicle trying to figure out certain issues myself using all your valuable expertise. I actually got the battery terminal connectors changed recently to Stingers based on this forums suggestion, but I can't seem to find any kind of answer for my specific problems.

Well, here goes, please be gentle, I don't know a-lot about mechanics but I will certainly pass on any advice you can give to my mechanic and will provide any extra information I can or photos if required.

So, when a passenger gets in the front passenger side seat, the amber EML light comes up on the dash. As soon as they get out, it goes off and doesn't come on any other time. It's very strange. I guess it must have something to do with pressure sensors or something in the seat but why it makes the EML light come up I really don't understand.

And also the red airbag symbol comes up on the dash, seemingly when I do a hard right lock turn when I'm parking the car, usually at home. Sometimes it will go off after putting the hand brake on but another time recently it stayed on for a few days before deciding to turn off randomly. Really not sure what to make of this one. One thing I've read that I suppose could make sense would be the clockspring as it comes on without fault when I do a hard right lock turn?

Hopefully I can get some advice or suggestions to try and solve these issues!
Please!!

 

get a scan tool that can read ABS it should let you know if it is the air bag on the steering wheel loosing connection. if it is then maybe it is the clock spring.

 

Thanks for replying so quickly!

I will pass this information on to my mechanic. Any ideas on the EML light issue?

 

you mean the check engine light turns on when someone sits in the passenger seat?
or is it a SRS light?
on my H2 i have a switch to disable the passenger air bag that turns on a light on my dash switch.

 

EU: EML (engine management light) US: CEL (check engine light)
Steady On(safe to drive) or FLASHING(need to diagnose/repair ASAP)?

 

yeah it's the EML/CEL light coming up when someone sits in the passenger seat. The icon that's been posted below. When they get out of the seat it goes off. It's a steady on light not flashing.

 

thanks for clarifying that it's called something else in the US. It's on steady, not flashing, when someone sits in the front passenger seat.

 

Have you read the owner's manual? Maybe take a look on how the SRS system works..............

Does it have a sunroof? If so, has the passenger side floor been wet?

 

Could you specify what you mean? The airbag light only comes up when doing a hard right lock on the steering wheel.

It does have a sunroof but I haven't noticed any wet or damp inside the vehicle. I guess it could of happened in the past as there is some rust on the underside of the seats.

 

They put an Owner's Manual in every glove box and it should be read front to back by the owner before operating it. There is a "Passenger Air Bag" in the center of the T Case Control Buttons on US models that displays "Off" when the passenger seat is empty. That seat sensor is works by communicating with the BCM (Body Control Module). If your Drains were/are clogged, it allows water to drain inside the A Pillar down to the floor by the passenger kick plate which is where the BCM is mounted. If the BCM gets wet you can have a bunch of Electrical Gremlins in any body control circuits. I would inspect for corrosion at the BCM and its connections to the Harness. I would make sure to your Sunroof Drains have been fixed. Finally, a fix for clogged sunroof drain tubes