Service Air Bag
protusile
12-03-2009, 05:19 PM
Every now and then, the driver information display on my 2000 Deville shows a note to "Service Air Bag." This air bag malfunction light comes and goes. It will stay on for multiple engine starts and then after a few days, or perhaps after I hit a pot hole in the road, the malfunction light goes away. It then stays off for a week or so.
My repair manual does not have any information on how to repair the air bag system. I suspect there is a loose spring or contact. Anyone have experience with this type of service air bag malfunction?
My repair manual does not have any information on how to repair the air bag system. I suspect there is a loose spring or contact. Anyone have experience with this type of service air bag malfunction?
maxwedge
12-03-2009, 09:14 PM
You need to have the SIRS scanned with an air bag function scannner for codes and a proper diagnosis.
MagicRat
12-05-2009, 09:41 PM
My '97 DeV did the same thing once recently. After leaving it parked, undriven for a week in Nov. the airbag light came on. After a long drive, with the heater on, the light went off the next time I started it.
I think it was due to moisture or condensation somewhere, probably in an electrical harness or device. It has not come back.
The scan is a good idea; hopefully its just a minor problem.
I think it was due to moisture or condensation somewhere, probably in an electrical harness or device. It has not come back.
The scan is a good idea; hopefully its just a minor problem.
protusile
12-07-2009, 08:28 PM
Air bag function scanner - sounds like I will need to let a shop conduct the diagnosis. Thanks for the replies.
protusile
02-22-2010, 07:40 PM
I have been battling the service air bag light for a long time now. I finally got it fixed. Turns out the driver information display will tell you the error code so I didn't have to take the vehicle in to a shop for a code reading.
Use the 3 switches located to the right of the Driver Information Center (DIC) to activate and respond to the OBD prompts on the DIC.
ON/OFF = YES
INFO RESET = NO
INFO DOWN or INFO UP = manual toggle
Cycle through the prompts. I found the air bag error code under SDM (Sensing and Diagnostic Module).
The error code was for the supplemental deployment loop. To fix this, I removed the seat belt pretensioner connection under the seat (yellow connector). I sprayed electrical cleaning solution onto the contacts, let it dry, then plugged and unplugged the connector several times. This did not correct the problem when accomplished on the drivers side but did fix the problem with accomplished on the passenger side.
Here are the instructions - looked under the passanger seat for a yellow connector. Inspect the connector termials for corrosion. If the termials are not spread open and look clean, reconnect it and cycle the ignition key, see if the message reappears. If the message comes back you will need to replace the pretensioner. I don't think it an expensive repair. On my car disconnecting the connector, cleaning the terminals seemed to take care of the same issue.
A word of caution when working on the SIR system, be carful, Failure to use the specified equipment as instructed could cause air bag deployment, personal injury to you or someone else, or unnecessary SIR system repairs.
__________________
What happens is the terminals build up a slight amount of oxidation. This can slightly alter the resistance in the circuit, while it may BARELY be out of tolerance the diagnostics in the SDM will set a code and turn on the light.
On many models we disconnect and reconnect the underseat connection about 4-6 times and the light will usually stay off. IF this becomes a persistent issue then have the component replaced, if it s a pretensioner better to replace it and be safe than not and be sorry.
My instructor told me the purpose of the pretensioner is "to keep your A** where it is supposed to be"
The B0015 is for the "pretensioner" which is basically the seat belt buckle.
Sometimes the connection can oxidize a little bit causing the resistance in the circuit to go just above the threshold for the self test and it can cause the light to come on. Usually when I see those I either cycle the connection (unplug and reconnect) a few times and it will stay gone. If I see it come back I put a new pretensioner in.
The B0014 is for the side airbag mounted in the seat, same scenario here only I replace the harness from the base of the seat to the side airbag if I see this code come back.
Both are usually related to the air bag connection under the seat, they hook those two things together.
By that I mean there are two separate connectors but the bodies are made to mate with each other then they plug in to one single connector on the body harness.
Use the 3 switches located to the right of the Driver Information Center (DIC) to activate and respond to the OBD prompts on the DIC.
ON/OFF = YES
INFO RESET = NO
INFO DOWN or INFO UP = manual toggle
Cycle through the prompts. I found the air bag error code under SDM (Sensing and Diagnostic Module).
The error code was for the supplemental deployment loop. To fix this, I removed the seat belt pretensioner connection under the seat (yellow connector). I sprayed electrical cleaning solution onto the contacts, let it dry, then plugged and unplugged the connector several times. This did not correct the problem when accomplished on the drivers side but did fix the problem with accomplished on the passenger side.
Here are the instructions - looked under the passanger seat for a yellow connector. Inspect the connector termials for corrosion. If the termials are not spread open and look clean, reconnect it and cycle the ignition key, see if the message reappears. If the message comes back you will need to replace the pretensioner. I don't think it an expensive repair. On my car disconnecting the connector, cleaning the terminals seemed to take care of the same issue.
A word of caution when working on the SIR system, be carful, Failure to use the specified equipment as instructed could cause air bag deployment, personal injury to you or someone else, or unnecessary SIR system repairs.
__________________
What happens is the terminals build up a slight amount of oxidation. This can slightly alter the resistance in the circuit, while it may BARELY be out of tolerance the diagnostics in the SDM will set a code and turn on the light.
On many models we disconnect and reconnect the underseat connection about 4-6 times and the light will usually stay off. IF this becomes a persistent issue then have the component replaced, if it s a pretensioner better to replace it and be safe than not and be sorry.
My instructor told me the purpose of the pretensioner is "to keep your A** where it is supposed to be"
The B0015 is for the "pretensioner" which is basically the seat belt buckle.
Sometimes the connection can oxidize a little bit causing the resistance in the circuit to go just above the threshold for the self test and it can cause the light to come on. Usually when I see those I either cycle the connection (unplug and reconnect) a few times and it will stay gone. If I see it come back I put a new pretensioner in.
The B0014 is for the side airbag mounted in the seat, same scenario here only I replace the harness from the base of the seat to the side airbag if I see this code come back.
Both are usually related to the air bag connection under the seat, they hook those two things together.
By that I mean there are two separate connectors but the bodies are made to mate with each other then they plug in to one single connector on the body harness.
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