"Dave M." <gadget@frontiernet.net> wrote in message news:<OHolb.14584$ih3.8693@news01.roc.ny>...
> "Bob Street" <bob_street@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:gqWdnegJ_PhZqg6iRVn-vQ@comcast.com...
> > I have owned my RSX for about a year and half and have had the sensors
> (part
> > of air bag system or SRS) in the passenger seats changed out twice
> already.
> > The dealer told me that placing a Cell phone or Laptop on the seat
> > repeatedly could cause the failure.
>
> "Poppy-Cock". These sensors are decelerometers that use powerfull rare earth
> magnets to generate an electrical signal when there is an impact and is
> detected by a computer that in turn sends an electrical impulse to an
> igniter in the airbag assembly. A laptop or cell phone wouldn't have the
> slightest effect on the relatively strong field of the magnets.
>
> Believe me when I tell you, your service manager is bullshitting you so that
> you will assume the repair bill.

Actually it is not poppy-cock. He was not referring to the impact
sensors but rather the OPDS system. Occupant Position Detection System
is located in the seat pad. It has a sensor that is affected by
changing the magnetic field by moving the body around in the passenger
seat. If the sensor determines that the person occupying the seat is
small of stature or is leaning against the door it will turn on the
"side airbag" light and deactivate the side airbag system for the
passenger. However if the sensor fails then the red SRS light will
illuminate and deactivate the airbag sytem in general. Cell phones ,
laptops, electrical interference of any kind can interupt the sensors
ability to function properly thus causing the lights to come on.

David Short
Acura God