Airbag Diagnostics, 2001 Silverado

Steve F · January 6, 2018

Hello,

i have a 2001 Silverado and the airbag light stays on when the passenger side key is in the On position. I was told the switch was bad, so changed out the switch. Then was told the module was bad and changed out the module. Light still on. The dealer tells me there is no way to test the module or airbag, so it seems I am just changing out expensive parts until they find one that is bad. I rarely use a dealer but my local mechanic won't touch it because it is a safety system. I don't know the codes, but the dealer stated the code was the module, but could be the airbag and without replacing the module, they wouldn't know. Am I being fed cow droppings or is this the only way to diagnose?

Thanks - Steve F

redvett · January 6, 2018

Dealer is wrong, a Tech 2 or similar scanner can diagnose whats going on and tell you where the problem is. Find a shop that can diagnose properly.

Your mechanic should know that SIR system is included in with brake systems, steering systems and more are all safety systems. Get a better Tech.

carnau · January 8, 2018

On 1/5/2018 at 7:39 PM, Steve F said:

Hello,

i have a 2001 Silverado and the airbag light stays on when the passenger side key is in the On position. I was told the switch was bad, so changed out the switch. Then was told the module was bad and changed out the module. Light still on. The dealer tells me there is no way to test the module or airbag, so it seems I am just changing out expensive parts until they find one that is bad. I rarely use a dealer but my local mechanic won't touch it because it is a safety system. I don't know the codes, but the dealer stated the code was the module, but could be the airbag and without replacing the module, they wouldn't know. Am I being fed cow droppings or is this the only way to diagnose?

Thanks - Steve F

First off, Go get your money back from the dealership... I work at a dealership and if we don't fix your problem... you don't pay.

Second... Call GM and tell them what kinda bull crap you are being fed... We (the dealership) gets special tools sent to us to be able to diagnose these problems.

If they need help...

That's the tool they should be using to test your vehicle.

What they do is disconnect the faulty component and plug this into place. If the light goes out the component is faulty. If it stays on you load test the wires from the component to the module. If the wires test good you replace the module.

This post has me irate! I could understand if you went to a jiffylube and they told you this... But we as a dealership should be held to a higher standard.

Please do not let them get away with this. Get your money back... Go to the owner if you have to. Then take it to a different dealership or print out my instructions and walk them through it since Airbags are pretty much the easiest thing on a GM vehicle to fix...

What dealer is it? I will call them. What codes did they give you? This is total BS.

davester · January 8, 2018

Yeah, GM puts out something called a "Full Service Manual" for their vehicles, and every dealer has access to it, and it has multi-step diagnostic procedures for testing pretty much every electrical system in the truck, including the air bags. For the dealer to do the "throw parts at it and see what happens" is ridiculous.

You were totally ripped off.

carnau · January 11, 2018

On 1/5/2018 at 7:39 PM, Steve F said:

Hello,

i have a 2001 Silverado and the airbag light stays on when the passenger side key is in the On position. I was told the switch was bad, so changed out the switch. Then was told the module was bad and changed out the module. Light still on. The dealer tells me there is no way to test the module or airbag, so it seems I am just changing out expensive parts until they find one that is bad. I rarely use a dealer but my local mechanic won't touch it because it is a safety system. I don't know the codes, but the dealer stated the code was the module, but could be the airbag and without replacing the module, they wouldn't know. Am I being fed cow droppings or is this the only way to diagnose?

Thanks - Steve F

Any news? I want to know what happened.

SpartanAutoworx · January 11, 2018

Would need codes to point you in the right direction.

Steve F · January 24, 2018

Sorry for delay in responses. Had to drive cross country to help my mom move into independent living facility. I did not have time to get the airbag installed prior to taking the trip since it took the dealership a week to (badly) diagnose the issue and put in the parts which did not fix the problem. I do have the parts they took out. Considering taking them to a different dealer and see if they can test them.

The dealer is Woodland Motors, Woodland CA. My service coordinator was Richard. I appreciate the information.

Steve

redvett · January 24, 2018

List parts and part # also codes. This isn't hard to diagnose, its either sensors, wiring or SDM. Codes will send the Tech in right direction if he is capable of true diagnosis not a part changer.

carnau · January 26, 2018

On 1/24/2018 at 4:39 PM, redvett said:

List parts and part # also codes. This isn't hard to diagnose, its either sensors, wiring or SDM. Codes will send the Tech in right direction if he is capable of true diagnosis not a part changer.

Exactly what I said. Install the tester in place of the module and see if the light goes out. If it does, you know the module is bad. If the light stays on, check the wires from the module to the SDM. If the wires test good doing a loaded voltage drop test, then Replace the SDM. It is a simple repair.

I would not go to a different dealer. I would go back to the same dealer and make them fix my problem. This is bull. Don't let them get over on you.

Steve F · February 26, 2018

carnau,

Can the air bag module (the under seat component) and the passenger side on/off switch be tested outside of the vehicle? I have both parts which the dealer replaced in my 2001 Silverado and still didn't solve the problem. I'd like some ammunition to go back to the dealer with.

SpartanAutoworx · February 26, 2018

What are the codes?

Steve F · February 27, 2018

I was not given the codes by the dealer

SpartanAutoworx · February 27, 2018

The SRS system is pretty basic in that truck. A code should easily point us in a good direction. Find someone who can read airbag codes and report back.

Steve F · February 27, 2018

Th

10 hours ago, SpartanAutoworx said:

The SRS system is pretty basic in that truck. A code should easily point us in a good direction. Find someone who can read airbag codes and report back.

The parts have already been replaced and I was given the ones supposedly bad. Air bag light is still on on the passenger side. I was asking if these parts can be tested outside of the vehicle.

carnau · February 27, 2018

7 hours ago, Steve F said:

Th

The parts have already been replaced and I was given the ones supposedly bad. Air bag light is still on on the passenger side. I was asking if these parts can be tested outside of the vehicle.

Absolutely. What parts do you want to test?