air bag light.....

[thtanoyinguy]

i have an air bag light on that is shooting a code 18 on my 2002 kia sportage. i went on www.kia-forums.com and they say that code doesn't exist. i have checked the code over 50 times and always ended up with the number 18. The state inspection is due on it and it will not pass with the light on. i refuse to pay $97.00 for the local dealer to read the code for me. so, any suggestions?

[hvac1000]

Originally Posted by thtanoyinguy

i have an air bag light on that is shooting a code 18 on my 2002 kia sportage. i went on www.kia-forums.com and they say that code doesn't exist. i have checked the code over 50 times and always ended up with the number 18. The state inspection is due on it and it will not pass with the light on. i refuse to pay $97.00 for the local dealer to read the code for me. so, any suggestions?

pull the bulb for a quick fix

[SK_KIA]

The airbag is not flashing a code 18, it is an airbag code 8 (knee airbag) what you are reading as a 1 is the error code start indicator. One of the other members on this forum has a link to an online shop manual, I found the airbag codes in there (only after going to the dealer).
Always remember to disconnect the Negative battery connection and leave it for at least 30min before working near airbags - airbags hold a charge and can still diploy for a short period of time after the battery has been disconnected.

[dugan50]

You do indeed have a knee airbag fault code. Here is the corrective procedure (you're not going to like it)
Knee Air Bag module damaged, or circuit shorted to ground...Replace module or harness

You can log onto the Kia website and research this yourself.
Here is the referral site.
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/resources.aspx
Go to the Kia logo, click on it and then create yourself a FREE account. From there you can access the entire shop manual for your vehicle

for your reference, here are the Kia trouble codes
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/docs/codes/95/kiasp.pdf

http://www.airbagsolutions.com

[LMP]

As the initial question was 9 months ago, I e-mailed the thread starter to invite him to take a look at recent replies and tell about the way he solved it.
By the way, Kia shop manual is at www.kiatechinfo.com
and...funny, code 8 is not in the list referenced in previous post...

[SK_KIA]

The dealer claimed they weren't able to correct the code, but the code cleared. I'm assuming the airbag was not connected correctly, and the mechanic fixed a poor connection without knowing.
The only other solution is to replace the airbag.
I ordered a CD version of the shop manual, it has airbag codes. I thought it was in the online version - sorry.