"Service Air Bag" (07 Yukon XL 1500, 4x4, LC9)

Folically Challengjed · November 29, 2015

Got the message this morning for the first time, and it's remained on for several trips all day. The truck's been running like a champ for months, and seems otherwise unaffected.

So far...

* I have checked fuse #39 and #51 ('cause they both mentioned "Air Bag"), and they're both fine.

* Wiggled the wires under driver's and passenger's seats to confirm solid connections. No broken wires observed.

* No CEL on. However, the auto parts people used their "free" scanner on it, and pulled-up codes C0899 and C0900.

* Battery is just shy of 5 years old, but it's never had a lick of trouble, and the truck still starts quickly, and everything electrical runs strong.

Are there any items I can check/inspect myself before running it to the dealer for the $100+ diagnostic scan?

Thanks,

FC

Folically Challengjed · December 1, 2015

Fixed.

After some Googling & YouTube-ing, it seemed that folks were largely having success by replacing front impact sensors. Since they were easy enough to get at, I removed the plastic cover at the bottom of the engine bay, then felt around on the sensors with my fingers. The one on the driver's side had a huge lump on it under the adhesive label, so I shoved my phone up there & took a picture. The picture confirmed it was cracked.

I ordered a new Dorman 590-203 sensor, and had it installed in < 11 minutes. Voila - no more "Service Air Bag" message.

Yeah, I "threw parts at it", but not completely blindly. After I had the picture, I felt better about trying a $60 fix, vs. the $600 dealer fix.

FC

jimlem · December 8, 2015

You did good (or got really good luck - same thing).

Had the same issue but under warranty. Similar trouble code listed but could not clear with my scanner. Took it to dealer. They had it 30 min. and called to tell me it was done. They said it was communication errors on the CAN bus. Maybe that's why they were "C" codes. They said a communications error usually shows up as a "Check ABS and Check stabilitrack."