Hello,

I just came back from the service center because my "safety restraint malfunction" light came on. They told me I needed to replace the black box and it's 600 euro for parts and labor. This is the second time I take it there for this problem and the first time they said it was because some battery was dead and they recharged it but the next day the light came right back on. I've asked around and I was told that since my car was on a boat for a long time the battery died on its way to Germany. Then the service center said the same thing about the battery and now there saying the black box is not working. Anyone ever experience this problem? Or have any advice that can help because 600 euro is not what I was expecting. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

There has been much discussion about "safety restraint malfunction". Thousands of U.S. cars have been recalled due to this failure. Outside the U.S I think owners have to pay for this out of warranty repair.
I would be concerned your service center couldn't be more specific about what has failed other than "black box". Pin them down on exactly what you have to buy, if anything.

Seat occupancy detection
The seat occupation detection consists of a mat on which pressure-sensitive sensors are fitted. In addition, the mat has a hard-wire connection to an electronic evaluation unit. The weight classification is based on evaluating the impression created by the person when taking their seat. The seat occupation detection cannot measure weights. Due to the activation of individual cells of the sensor mat, a weight class is determined by the electronic evaluation unit. The electronic evaluation unit sends cyclical information on the classification to the right B-pillar satellite control unit (E60)