Passenger occupancy sensor extremely sensitive? A/C not working...

[Stomachbuzz]

2 issues

First - my passenger occupancy sensor is extremely sensitive. In the past, my backpack (like 20 lbs) would set it off.
Yesterday, it was beeping furiously at me, and literally the only thing on the seat was my wallet.

Second, my A/C has stopped working. Specifically, the A/C button has no response. It does not light up or command the A/C on. Additionally, the backlighting for the 'mode' dial does not work, but the air recirc and rear defroster buttons work.
I've been messing inside my dash for a while installing a new stereo, but I removed the HVAC panel and did not find any issues.

Should I do electrical troubleshooting? or break out the pressure gauges to see if the system suddenly dropped below threshold pressure?

[soundman98]

fuses first!

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Stomachbuzz

2 issues

First - my passenger occupancy sensor is extremely sensitive. In the past, my backpack (like 20 lbs) would set it off.
Yesterday, it was beeping furiously at me, and literally the only thing on the seat was my wallet.

My understanding is that the passenger seat sensor doesn't measure weight but does measure some sort of electrical transmission stuff. A search will lead you to some information.

Maybe your wallet has too many credit cards and is setting off the sensor -


humfrz

[Ultramaroon]

Butt detector is sensitive to changes in capacitance. It's like a stud finder but tuned differently. Put a couple pounds of paper or books in there. Then replace with a gallon of milk or a sack of potatoes.


Doesn't deal well with RF energy. That's why things like phones and laptops trigger it.

[Stomachbuzz]

Originally Posted by soundman98

fuses first!

Yep...
Ended up being the fuse was gone. I vaguely remember borrowing a fuse for some diagnostics a few months back, but still kinda baffled at that one. Weird.
I didn't catch it the first time since all the fuses for HVAC are simply labeled "heater"

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Butt detector is sensitive to changes in capacitance. It's like a stud finder but tuned differently. Put a couple pounds of paper or books in there. Then replace with a gallon of milk or a sack of potatoes.


Doesn't deal well with RF energy. That's why things like phones and laptops trigger it.

Interesting...
So this isn't a common issue or anything to worry about?

I've heard issues on some cars of like the "mesh" mat in the seat going bad and giving expensive issues with the airbag/passenger occupancy system

[WNDSRFR]

Things that will not set off the butt sensor.....
A watermelon
2 twelve packs of beer
A bowling ball

Things that will set off the butt sensor....
A cell phone
A wallet
A digital camera

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by WNDSRFR

Things that will not set off the butt sensor.....
A watermelon
2 twelve packs of beer
A bowling ball

Things that will set off the butt sensor....
A cell phone
A wallet
A digital camera

you should not be transporting beer in the passenger seat for a variety of safety and legal reasons though.

[LimitedSlip]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Maybe your wallet has too many credit cards and is setting off the sensor

Not sure if it's the quantity of cards but rather having the magnetic stripes all in the same alignment, thus amplifying the overall magnetic field and pulling the contacts shut.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by LimitedSlip

Not sure if it's the quantity of cards but rather having the magnetic stripes all in the same alignment, thus amplifying the overall magnetic field and pulling the contacts shut.

Actually it's the unpaid balance on the credit cards - how in the hell do you think that Credit Karma gets its data -


humfrz

[LimitedSlip]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Actually it's the unpaid balance on the credit cards - how in the hell do you think that Credit Karma gets its data

There is information on this forum that you just won't find anyplace else.

[gravitylover]

Originally Posted by soundman98

you should not be transporting beer in the passenger seat for a variety of safety and legal reasons though.

Well yeah, when you hit the brakes and the beer flies off the seat and gets all shaken up that's alcohol abuse. I know that's illegal in my world so it's good to know it's the same in the real world. If it gets shaken up enough the top could blow off the bottle and then it becomes a terrible safety issue as you reach around for it to gulp it down before too much gets out.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by gravitylover

Well yeah, when you hit the brakes and the beer flies off the seat and gets all shaken up that's alcohol abuse. I know that's illegal in my world so it's good to know it's the same in the real world. If it gets shaken up enough the top could blow off the bottle and then it becomes a terrible safety issue as you reach around for it to gulp it down before too much gets out.

Well, ya, if you aren't texting and driving at the same time, you would have a firm grip on the beer and it wouldn't spill when you slam on the brakes -


humfrz

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, ya, if you aren't texting and driving at the same time, you would have a firm grip on the beer and it wouldn't spill when you slam on the brakes -


humfrz

Or just chug it and leave nothing to spill

[Ultramaroon]

Stay classy, ft86club.