Touchy Honda

This bulletin applies to all 2000 and later Honda models equipped with SRS (an example is the 2011 Civic Hybrid). The OPDS (Occupant Position Detection System) sensors in the front passenger seat-back pad are very sensitive and can set SRS DTC 15-3 (faulty OPDS sensor) or 86-11 (faulty OPDS seat-back sensor) if they are exposed to even small amounts of electronic interference.

Some electrical devices that plug into the accessory power socket, especially those using a power inverter/converter, can interfere with the seat-back sensors and cause a false DTC. Even fluorescent lights can cause this when placed near these sensors.

Find out if the customer is using any plug-in electrical devices or fluorescent lights near the front passenger seat. Typical plug-in devices are laptops, DVD players, cell phone/laptop chargers, A/C inverters, etc.

If the answer is yes, clear the DTC and explain to the customer just how sensitive these sensors are and to advise them against using any plug-in devises near the front passenger seat-back.