How does one reset the SRS (airbag) light?

[91-93-96Geoman]

I have a 1996 Geo Metro LSI 1.3L, automatice trans.
TWO QUESTIONS/ISSUES
ISSUE #1
The airbag light will not go off. I replaced the air bag control module under the shifter console and the front impact sensor near the hood latch. No effect. What is my next step? I was thinking of replacing the steering column sensor/module.

ISSUE #2
Note: I also replace the ECU to no avail. I did this because the check engine light keeps coming on. I clear the code, but "low emission threshhold) code keep returing. Does this mean my catalytic converter is gone, or could it be the O2 sensors?

Thanks...

[Woodie83]

You need a factory service manual, you'll go bankrupt throwing parts at it willy nilly. There's 100 pages on the airbag light and 300 on the check engine light. Both have trouble codes that will get you to the specific area where the problem lies, it's almost never the control module. I just looked and can't find "low emissions threshold", what is the number? If it's 0420 it's either the rear o2 sensor or the catalytic converter, but that's called "catalyst efficiency low".

[way]

This all is assuming you have the service manual for your car:

Is the light just coming on after you had work done or did you have an accident that set it off? Or is it just coming on for no apparent reason?

Since you replaced the impact sensor, make sure the connectors are secured by the lock tabs. They have to be connected securely. I had a bear of a time getting the ECU unhooked. I'm not sure I ever got it figured out. I think it just felt sorry for me and came apart.

If you had an accident, be sure to check the wiring under the steering wheel bag because they sit right under the bag and can be crushed/burned by the bag going off. Mine were burned together pretty good but I was able to separate them with a razor. I then stripped the burned casing off to make sure the wires were still intact and then I re-wrapped them with electrical tape. Seems to work fine.

Did you re-arm the system after you disarmed it? Make sure the fuse is ok too.

If your car is like mine, the diagnostics for the air bag are on pin 9 on the OBDII connector. I'm not sure if Autozone or regular OBDII scanners can read this or not as I didn't get far enough to try. The air bag system is completely self-contained though and is read separate from the regular diagnostics on the car from what I understand. Low emissions or any reading like that should have no effect on your air bag system at all.

If the light is coming on w/o having been in an accident, you'll have to get the air bag code read because that's not going to be something obvious I wouldn't think and like Woodie said, it can get expensive just throwing parts at it although I got some good prices from ebay and car-parts.com. The Metro H/B air bag system is pretty simple really. One sensor in the front, two air bags, clockspring connector, fuse box and computer with the yellow wire harness connecting everything together. There is a connector for air bag diagnostics near the fuse box too but I never messed with it.

[Knight stick]

My fiancee's daughter, whose 7 months pregnancy was a high risk, getting ready to leave for work. She unlocked her car & put her key in the ignition. She had NOT started her car. Suddenly, the driver's side air bag deployed. The neighbors ran out since they thought someone had shot her with a shotgun because the noise was so loud. When the neighbors helped her out of the vehicle, she was covered with a powder, couldn't hear very well, and bruised. We were very concerned about her baby. She contacted GM & her car was on the recall list since the driver's airbag could deploy @ anytime! She had NOT been notified. GM & the local dealership REALLY did an injustice to her! When she picked her car up @ the dealership, the headlights & other lights would not work! She was told the lights were not their problem. Later, we discovered all was wrong with her lights was they blew out when the airbag deployed. Please keep updated on recalls and don't depend on a corporation. Incidentally, the baby was born healthy!

[dugan50]

Here's a site that will explain everything you need to know about airbag lights and resetting the system.
On most vehicles, the airbag light should come on for @6 seconds, and then go off if the system is working properly. If there is a fault or a problem in the system, the light will remain illuminated, or flash continuously. If the airbag light does not work properly, some vehicles have an audible tone that sounds indicating a problem with the airbag light system. When the light is on (or the tone is sounding), the airbag will NOT deploy, even in an accident. Most systems can only be diagnosed using a scanner designed for the airbag system, however some use flash codes to indicate the problem. The scanners at Auto Zone or the ones that sell for @ $50 will not access the airbag system, only the engine systems (check engine light).
This website gives you the procedure for diagnosing and resetting some systems without a scanner. Some vehicle manufacturers accommodate that (like Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Infinity, Honda, Acura, Ford, Lincoln, Mazda & Mercury) and some require a scan tool. http://www.airbagsolutions.com/
Check out these websites also for more info on airbag systems and the light.
http://blog.airbagsolutions.com/arch...ould-i-do.aspx
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/resources.aspx
http://blog.airbagsolutions.com/
Check out this scanner for AIRBAG>>>It’s the cheapest one I’ve found!
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/scanner.aspx

[rpierini]

If the airbag light is on AND the horn doesn't work, you probably need to replace the CLOCKSPRING MECHANISM located just under the steering wheel.
Follow the factory repair info though, or you could set off the airbag.