Air Bag warning

[98se40]

Hi Guys,
9 times out of 10 when driving I get the AirBag warning Failure light come on the dash.
Its a 97 4.0 GEMS

Any ideas?

Cheers

[davidsonsm]

Loose wire I'd suggest or bad earth. Don't suppose you can tell if it's steering wheel or passenger air bag? Have you been routing in either of these areas recently?

[98se40]

No, no routing whatsoever. So, its nothing to worry about? or is?

[davidsonsm]

Well - I'd want to know the source of the problem and fix it. Assume you're talking about the crash protection air bags - and not the air springs.

[TheTree]

Hi

I recently had an airbag warning and the nanocom told me it was the passenger side airbag intermittent connection

So i lifted the side cover, undid the connector, treated it with deoxit and put it back.

Cleared the fault and it has not come back

SO if you have diagnostics or know someone who has, get them to check out which bag has the error

Steve

[98se40]

No routing whatsoever. Where would I check the earth or the wires?

Should I worry or just forget about it?

No, I dont know if its passenger or drivers

[98se40]

Hi Steve,

side cover?, where is this?

Cheers

[TheTree]

Hi

Sorry i was a little vague there, I mean the covers which runs along the bottom of the door sills.

You need to release at least the front of the seat base finisher and then you can get the sill cover off.

It may not be a side air bag though

Being in Sydney you should be able to find a helpful member who has some diagnostic gear.

If you are ever up on the Central Coast, I have a Motronic (Bosch, Thor) nanocom I would be happy to plug in to your beast!

Steve

[p38arover]

I thought SRS faults didn't clear automatically but have to be cleared with a diagnostic computer. That has been my experience with mine.

Is your dash light coming on and going out? Do you have and Airbag Fault message displayed in the Message Centre?

A faulty spiral cassette in the steering column would, I expect, bring up the fault light pretty quickly after being cleared. It did on mine.

98se40, where are you located?

My Testbook is currently out on loan so I can't look at the stored faults at the moment.

[98se40]

I just undid the glovebox and pulled the yello cable connector and repushed it back in. So after work I will take it home and see if it appears again.
I have a Faultmate but shows no faults.
Ron, the message is on the dash.. Im in Taren Point
Steve, I have the poverty pack. The 40ltr. just basics, so no airbags in the doors ( as far as I know)

Cheers

[PeterH]

I recently had the airbag fault message coming up on mine.
Was a very easy fix, I had a search on this forum and someone said I'll bet anything it's the yellow connector under the drivers seat. Over the years, the drivers seat is the one that gets adjusted the most, causing extra movement of that cable.
I disconnected the battery for safety, undid the yellow connector, sprayed contact cleaner on the connector, plugged it back in, problem solved!
I can't remember if I had to clear the fault code, but have not had a problem since.
There is also a yellow connector under the dash trim panel as well, but I would try the drivers seat one first, might be a simple fix for you.
Cheers, Pete.

[davidsonsm]

The GEMS only have front airbags. No sides for us lesser beings.

[Hoges]

A word to the wise...;) 98se40 disconnect the battery then go have a cup of coffee for 20 mins at least to allow the reserve capacitors to discharge: then examine the circuitry... my reading indicates that if you set one off accidentally for whatever reason, all the bags will go off... $$$$$$$$$$

I'm getting the airbag fault as well...Faultmate indicates it's the driver's side airbag. I used the Faultmate to clear the fault but it keeps coming back.. suspect it's because my fiddling when I removed/replaced the GROM iPod box connected to the stereo... good luck with it!

[TheTree]

Wise words Hoges, RAVE lays it out pretty clearly

Steve

[Scouse]

My Testbook is currently out on loan so I can't look at the stored faults at the moment.But I can ;) (assuming I have the leads required).


Let me know if I can help.
If there is a definite fault logged, there's a couple of spare grey cars parts lying around here we can substitute to confirm a fault if need be.

[daf11e]

Same as peterh I had light showing...looked under drivers seat and reconnected ok....no need for reset....hope it's as easy for you.

[98se40]

Hi Guys,

just an update. as said, I unplugged the yellow cable connector behind the glovebox, and also one behind the steering column.

I looked under the seat and could not see any yellow cable connectors.

Maybe thats because this model only has passenger and drivers air bags?

Anyway, so far so good!!!

Thanks for your help guys
Cheers!

[PhilipA]

The yellow wires under the seats are for seat belt pretensioners. ( using my 2002 D2 as example)
If it has pretensioners, they are cylindrical thingos in front of the inner seat belt mount on the seat.
If it has them, wait before fiddling as they are pyrotechnic.
Regard sPhilip A