Please help with airbag light

Slider1385 said:

I just had to take my dash apart to replace my heater core and when i put it back together my air bag light came on. I have no idea where to start looking for airbag wires, does anybody know their location? Thanks

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You may have actually reconnected everything right. Some of the codes indicate "high resistance" on the wire, even though the system is hooked up properly. Some time back, I ended up disconnecting the airbag wire under the dash to check something. Even though I hooked it back up, I got an airbag light. My mechanic said the code indicated "high resistance" on that connector. He cleaned the connector and the light went away.

These connectors are all made of aluminum. Over time, aluminum oxidizes and doesn't conduct electricity as well as it used to. As long as the connector stays together, it's cool. But if you disconnect one and put it back together, chances are the connector won't conduct the same electricity it used to. Most wiring doesn't care, as long as the power flows. But the airbag system has a lot of self-diagnostic tests built in, to make sure the system is working properly. Any perceived fault, and it disables the system to prevent accidental deployment.

If the code tells you "high resistance" on the wire, go get a can of electrical contact cleaner. I got mine from an electronic store that sells resistors, switches and other similar parts. Spray it on both parts of the connector, let it work for a few minutes, then hook it back up.