Airbag Light

[phipps]

My son's 07 Aveo has the airbag light on. It came on after he drained the battery and we had to jump the car (not sure if that's the cause or just a coincidence).

We took the car to our mechanic and he said there were no codes registered and when he tried to reset the light he wasn't able to.

Any thoughts on what the problem might be? I'd like to avoid a trip to the dealer if possible, but that may be unavoidable.

Thanks!

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by phipps

My son's 07 Aveo has the airbag light on. It came on after he drained the battery and we had to jump the car (not sure if that's the cause or just a coincidence).

We took the car to our mechanic and he said there were no codes registered and when he tried to reset the light he wasn't able to.

Any thoughts on what the problem might be? I'd like to avoid a trip to the dealer if possible, but that may be unavoidable.

Thanks!

If air bag light on it will not deploy air bag in case of accident.
Could be a spiked SIR bag computer from jump starting.
Disconnect neg. battery cable for 10 minutes and hook it back up.
If that does not fix it find a good capable air bag repair shop or dealer.
And get it fixed.

[Tech II]

I agree....that is about your only option.....

Make sure the key is out of the ignition....remove neg cable first , then positive.....now hold both cable ends together(or jumper them together...leave like this for a couple minutes...now reconnect to the battery, pos first, then negative.....if there is corrosion on the cable, clean first before installing...if bolts are corroded, just replace them....

If this doesn't reset the airbag module and the light comes back on, you really can't do anything without knowing the code......this should be left to a garage to work on.....

Sometimes, it's as simple as a connection at one of the SIR harnesses.......simply taking it apart, and reconnecting it is all that is needed(worse case scenario, special contacts have to be replaced, or even the whole harness connector).....but there are many connectors....a specific code would point you to the right connection......however, don't recommend you doing this without following proper procedures to disable the SIR system....

[phipps]

Thanks. I'll try disconnecting the battery and see what happens.

What does jumpering the pos/neg cables do?

I've had it to a mechanic but he didn't see any codes. Looks like I'll have to take it a dealer if this doesn't work.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by phipps

Thanks. I'll try disconnecting the battery and see what happens.

What does jumpering the pos/neg cables do?

I've had it to a mechanic but he didn't see any codes. Looks like I'll have to take it a dealer if this doesn't work.

You can spike a computer if cables crossed or hooking up positive cable wrong.

Only disconnect neg. first and hook it up last. after connecting positive .

[phipps]

What's the reasoning behind touching the pos/neg cables together after they're disconnected?

Draining residual charge?

[Tech II]

By doing so, it resets ALL the modules in the car.....which is about all you can do since DIY'ers don't have Tech II scanners in their back pockets.....in fact, neither do I....

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by phipps

What's the reasoning behind touching the pos/neg cables together after they're disconnected?

Draining residual charge?

I did not say to do that.
I said disconnect neg. fIrst AND HOOK IT UP LAST.
AFTER POSITIVE CONNECTED.

[phipps]

Tech-II suggested holding or jumpering the pos and neg cables after they were both removed from the battery.

I have never heard of this and was asking him why he suggested that.

[gmtech1]

Originally Posted by phipps

What's the reasoning behind touching the pos/neg cables together after they're disconnected?

Draining residual charge?

That is correct. By disconnecting both cables, then touching and holding the two ends together, you will deplete all the capacitors in all the modules. If the light comes back on, there is a code stored. Your mechanic may not have a scanner that's able to read air bag codes. As Tech II stated, it may be as simple as a connector, or the SDM may need replaced. Either way, the repairs should be done by a shop capable of doing air bag repairs. Don't want to take any chances with this one.