Passenger seatbelt warning light without a passenger

[Karthur]

2016 Rogue - SL Model

When there is a driver AND passenger and I start the car, both seatbelts have to be fastened before the seatbelt light in the instrument panel will go off, which is normal. Also, the passenger airbag off light is NOT illuminated. This is the way things should work.

Now with just the driver in the car, after starting the car, the seatbelt light is ON. The passenger airbag off light is illuminated. The seat belt light will not go off until I fasten BOTH driver and passenger seatbelts.

The sensor in the passenger seat seems to be working because the passenger airbag light goes off if a person is seated there. Any clues what's up with this?

Thanks

.

[VStar650CL]

Your seat needs a Zero Point Reset. The load cells which weigh the passenger are silicon and they can drift over time. Once they drift far enough off zero, the result is what you're seeing, a phantom passenger. The good news is, a five minute ZPR operation resets that. The bad news is, probably only a dealer can do it for you. I don't know of any scanner besides the Consult3+ which is ZPR-capable.

[Karthur]

I was afraid of that. This probably happened when I had the seat out of the car and cycled the key switch ON/OFF. From what I have read, this can cause all sorts of issues with the air bag systems.

[VStar650CL]

It would throw a side airbag code if the ignition was on for more than 7 seconds (that's how long the Bag Brain takes to complete self-tests). A quick on-off key cycle won't usually cause codes. Make sure you didn't lock up any trash underneath one of the frame feet. Twisting of the frame (even a tiny bit) will change the readings from the load cells.

[Karthur]

I actually started the car and moved it with the seat removed. Zero Point Reset from the local stealership and $210 later.... works perfectly now.