Air bag light on

[roughashlar]

Hi,

I took Horace out for a brief drive today... other than being badly out of alignment, he seems to be doing ok.

This thread will probably be moved but I have no idea where to post it, so I'm doing it here. The air bag light on the dash stays lit for about 30 min-- then goes out for about 30 min-- then comes back on (I had the car idling with the heater on to dry out the interior). What are the remedies for this? Can I just disconnect the whole airbag system (assuming that's legal) or NOT spend the $$$ at a shop to get a diagnosis? From talking to a few folks around here, that would be the main reason why at this point the insurance would be likely to consider it totaled-- even though the air bag was never deployed.

Thanks for whatever help you can give me.

Peace,

Eric, M:.M:.
Crow, Oregon

Proud Papa of the Dodge Brothers

1992 Silver Spirit R/T -- "Johnny"
1991 Red Spirit R/T -- "Horace"

[speedyshelby16]

This is the car that got into the ditch right. I would disconnect the battery and let it sit for awhile. Then Unplug or wiggle the wires on the front two airbag sensors. There on the inside of the two front bumper mounts. The water could have also corroded the sensor themself or the connectors. Cause if the airbag light on the airbag won't work. It has to see a certain signal from the sensor to work. Also there should be an airbag module in the middle of the dash near the floor. This could of got wet and causing the problem as well. But disconnect the battery and let it sit for awhile before touching the airbag system.

[Tudds]

I wouldn't play with the airbag sensors, if you don't want it totalled because of the light just pop the bulb and worry about it after the insurance money comes

[speedyshelby16]

There is a problem just taking out the light. Every car with airbags has to have the light come on when you just start the car and if the light goes off then the system is fine if the light stays on then there a problem.

[86Shelby]

^^^ yup he's right. When you first turn the ignition to the run position every warning light is supposed to turn on, then turn off after a couple seconds.

[Tudds]

so what if you pop the bulb? what does that have to do with the insurance company seeing it?

[charger R/T]

Unfortunatley the factory scanner is needed to check airbag codes. Since it went into the ditch I would guess the front sensors are toast or one of the wires near the sensors got cut (I think the sensors are more likley the problem). The system is self resetting if the problem is fixed. I would swap the sensors from your other car on to it to check. I would say the fact the light is working the computer is working because it has set a code and is talking to you.
Tim

[speedyshelby16]

In the post you said that the glove box got wet then you can't rule out the main computer for the airbag system. I kinda know alot about them since in tech school for the Collison refinishing it was a couple weeks of going through them systems and where there located and how to work on them properly.