Recently, I had my airbag covered with Alcantara. While the airbag was out, I received the airbag error and related malfunction codes in the gauge cluster as I needed to start and use the car. I was looking for a way to reset the airbag code using an OBD2 Bluetooth plugin reader once it was reinstalled. I happen to have an OBDLink CX adapter which I used in my prior BMW M2 Competition to read and change coding options. This was specifically engineered for the BMW and certified to work with the Bimmercode coding software. I have used it to connect to the Emira and have used the generic OBDLink App to read the engine management software. The OBDLink software did not show the condition of any other software modules including the SRS (Airbag) module.
I did some research to try and find a Free (or paid) App that would allow me to read other modules AND hopefully reset the airbag module. I tried Carista which does offer a free App but also wants you to purchase a subscription to allow more features. This App work to read the engine modules but little else for me. It did not recognize the airbag fault. I tried the Carly App, which was highly rated, but I could not get that to connect. Then I tried the Car Scanner ELM OBD2 App which was also highly rated, and I had some luck.
I was able to connect to the Car Scanner App and initially set the “car” as a Lotus Emira. You can choose from many car models within this App and then the list of options is more customized to what software may be on the various models withing that brand. With Lotus chosen I could read the engine management module but nothing else. I then chose to use Seat as the car Brand. I chose a 2019 model of something and when I read the car there were many more modules that became available to read, 198 in all including the SRS module. It went through the list of all 198 modules and when it was done it indicated there were no faults in any of the modules including the SRS of which I know there was a fault. I played around with it a bit more and at one point I hit “clear codes” even though it did not seem to recognize any. I’m not quite sure how, but the airbag code and warning light are no longer on so something worked. I’ve read the SRS codes do not clear themselves over time, so I don’t think it was that as a coincidence. I’m happy either way.
Under the Seat brand there are also a list of “coding” that can be done to change the software coding in the vehicle. One of those changes is to allow the ability to raise/lower the windows with the remote FOB which was deactivated in the U.S. market. I did not have the guts to try that yet. Maybe I will soon. If I do, I’ll report back.
I also tried using the Geely and Volvo brands, but the module names did not make as much sense to me as the Seat brand.
Anyway, I thought this scanning App was worth posting about.
I’m also hopeful that some others that have been working recently trying to activate and use the Lotus software service tools will be successful and find way to customize the code on our cars. There is quite a bit that would be nice to customize.
Download and use the App at your own risk, particularly if you try to change the code.
I did some research to try and find a Free (or paid) App that would allow me to read other modules AND hopefully reset the airbag module. I tried Carista which does offer a free App but also wants you to purchase a subscription to allow more features. This App work to read the engine modules but little else for me. It did not recognize the airbag fault. I tried the Carly App, which was highly rated, but I could not get that to connect. Then I tried the Car Scanner ELM OBD2 App which was also highly rated, and I had some luck.
I was able to connect to the Car Scanner App and initially set the “car” as a Lotus Emira. You can choose from many car models within this App and then the list of options is more customized to what software may be on the various models withing that brand. With Lotus chosen I could read the engine management module but nothing else. I then chose to use Seat as the car Brand. I chose a 2019 model of something and when I read the car there were many more modules that became available to read, 198 in all including the SRS module. It went through the list of all 198 modules and when it was done it indicated there were no faults in any of the modules including the SRS of which I know there was a fault. I played around with it a bit more and at one point I hit “clear codes” even though it did not seem to recognize any. I’m not quite sure how, but the airbag code and warning light are no longer on so something worked. I’ve read the SRS codes do not clear themselves over time, so I don’t think it was that as a coincidence. I’m happy either way.
Under the Seat brand there are also a list of “coding” that can be done to change the software coding in the vehicle. One of those changes is to allow the ability to raise/lower the windows with the remote FOB which was deactivated in the U.S. market. I did not have the guts to try that yet. Maybe I will soon. If I do, I’ll report back.
I also tried using the Geely and Volvo brands, but the module names did not make as much sense to me as the Seat brand.
Anyway, I thought this scanning App was worth posting about.
I’m also hopeful that some others that have been working recently trying to activate and use the Lotus software service tools will be successful and find way to customize the code on our cars. There is quite a bit that would be nice to customize.
Download and use the App at your own risk, particularly if you try to change the code.
