Technical Airbag light

[Maxcaddy]

I've always had an intermittent Airbag warning light which sometimes stays on for weeks, and other times goes off for weeks, and is usually cured after a spray of contact cleaner and banging the passenger seat forwards and backwards a few times. Unfortunately the big orange connector(s) had been interfered with before I bought it (5 years ago), and is wired on the feed side with screw block connectors.

Okay, so noting that there could be injury in a crash etc, etc, has anyone found a way to 'modify/fool/short-circuit/hot-wire' the big orange connector under the seat, so that the dashboard light doesn't come on ?

 

[Maxcaddy]

So, no easy answers then .

By fitting Emulators to both front seats and linking the 3rd black wire, what happens is that with the ignition on the seatbelt light comes on (as does every other light) but then goes out after a couple of seconds (as does most others) leaving just ignition, oil, and handbrake. Start the engine and all lights (not handbrake) go out for about 8 seconds, then the airbag light comes on again . This tells me that there maybe another air bag that needs emulating ?.

Before I start stripping the electrics down any further, can some kind soul steer me towards where I might find a wiring diagram of the airbag system ?

Thanks

Forgot to add, that now when the Airbag light comes on, I do not get the message STOP ENGINE etc, but just the normal display, i.e. mileage, air temp, time, etc, so something is better, just not all of it .

 

[baykah]

On mine, I have the emulator on the passenger, it solved the problem until it came back ...

I just needed to disconnect/reconnect a few time both orange connector under both seats, I think those are the side airbag and the contact gets bad over time ..

 

[Maxcaddy]

Yes, the usual clean connector trick hasn't worked, so I am now in-process of changing the clock spring. However, if that doesn't work I'm not sure what the other options will be. I'm also thinking of investing in a better ODB reader, something like a Topdon 600S maybe.

 

[sibonios]

You have orange connectors in the trunk, behind the upholstery above the rear fenders, as well as one in the drawer in front of the passenger side, under the upper plastic.

 

[Maxcaddy]

Many thanks, however a quick search didn't show anything obvious around the glovebox area, and before I strip out the glovebox and the cubby hole above it, I'll see if changing the 'clock spring' cures the light, as apparently that appears to be the next common failure point after the seat connectors.

I'll have a search for the one in the trunk tomorrow as I have to connect the battery to move it, and the boot doesn't open on its own, to see if I can find that connector .

 

[Maxcaddy]

OK 2 months later I've got around to having another go at the Airbag light, and in the meantime bought a new 'squib/clock spring'. The steering wheel Airbag itself disconnects easily as did the steering wheel. Top and bottom cowlings all off, which leaves the indicator/wiper stalks to be taken off as the squib/clock spring seems to be a complete unit with the stalks. Problem is how does the stalk assembly come out ?, I'm concerned that too much pulling/leverage on 21 year old plastics will fracture very easily, but there's no sign of any more obvious screws to come out.
Any pointers from someone who has stripped theirs down this far ?
Cheers.