Jump to content

"service Air Bag" Light Problem

BlakSilvr

By BlakSilvr
in Ask A GM Technician

Recommended Posts

BlakSilvr Enthusiast

BlakSilvr

Posted
Posted

So, about a month ago my red airbag light would flash every once in a while. Then the DIC message would come on saying Service Air Bag. However this would go away the next time I started the truck and then would come back randomly. I took it to the dealer and they checked it out and said they found no problem with the airbag, and chalked it up to a computer glitch. I was under the impresion that it was fixed.

 

Nope. A mere 4 days later it came back on, but this time it was doing something different. It seemed that when I'd go over uneven pavement that it would turn off and my regular DIC info would come back...and then they next bump I'd hit I'd get the air bag message again. And now yesterday it was doing that again but it didnt seem that it mattered if I was going over a bump or not..and now its just on, and my OnStar system light is red, too...

 

I'm definitely bringing it back in to the dealer but I'd just like to have an idea of what this could be because the service guys at my local dealer tend to be...well, lazy...and I don't want them to BS me and end up with the problem not getting fixed. Here's a video I took while driving yesterday. Horrible quality, took it with my cell phone, but you get the idea.

 

VIDEO

Alljackedup408 Enthusiast

Alljackedup408

Posted
Posted

mmm.. i looked under some bulletins under SI. I see a couple bulletins... one stands out.. as you say you hit a bump it comes on? This could be caused by a loose, missing, or broken Connector Position Assurance (CPA) retainer at the Air Bag. Make sure you tell them when you hit a bump or rough roads.. sry i cant do anymore.. im not there lookin at it!

BlakSilvr Enthusiast

BlakSilvr

Posted
  • Author
Posted
mmm.. i looked under some bulletins under SI. I see a couple bulletins... one stands out.. as you say you hit a bump it comes on? This could be caused by a loose, missing, or broken Connector Position Assurance (CPA) retainer at the Air Bag. Make sure you tell them when you hit a bump or rough roads.. sry i cant do anymore.. im not there lookin at it!

 

Yeah there was a time where it would turn on and off as I was going over rough roads...but then yesterday it did the same thing but I was on a fairly smooth freeway...and now it is on all the time, every time I turn on the truck whereas before it would only turn on every once in a while. I have an appointment set for Monday morning and when I called I told them everything thats going on. The guy sounded a little unsure, especially when I mentioned the red OnStar light...which has since gone back to green.

 

With my luck the morning I go to take it in it won't come on and they won't be able to recreate the problem. :D

fataugie Enthusiast

fataugie

Posted
Posted

I had a similar problem this past Feb. It would sometimes come on for a few minutes, then go away. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason bumps in the road sometimes, sometimes not. Finally, the message came on and stayed. It turned out to be a faulty sensor under the front bumper. It was all salted up from the winter. They're little one inch square blocks with a connector and wires coming out the back. I didn't try screwing with it for fear of tripping the damn bags. That would have really cost a few $$$.

 

I think with labor it was only $150

 

Take a look, that may be an easy to spot problem.

BlakSilvr Enthusiast

BlakSilvr

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well I actually just got back from the dealer and its all fixed. Turned out to be a faulty passenger side seat belt buckle that was setting it off. They replaced the buckle and tested the system and I'm as good as new.

 

Quite the hassle getting it fixed though. The first time I brought it in the light decided not to come on so they couldn't grab a code. Then it kept coming on so I brought it in Monday and they had to order the parts, which wouldn't be in till Tuesday...but I needed the truck all day Tuesday so I had to bring it in again this morning before work and now its finally taken care of. Here's hoping thats as bad a problem I have with my 8 month old truck for a very, very long time.

preist Enthusiast

preist

Posted
Posted

How do you get the Air Bag error codes? I don't believe they are available from the normal ODB II plug are they? My airbag error light has been on for the past year and I'd be happy to change which ever sensor is at fault if I could figure out which one. I figure if I pull the SIR fuse and disconnect the airbag connectors (as the manual says to disable them) then I should be able to muck around and replace the sensor without risk.

waltv Enthusiast

waltv

Posted
Posted
How do you get the Air Bag error codes? I don't believe they are available from the normal ODB II plug are they? My airbag error light has been on for the past year and I'd be happy to change which ever sensor is at fault if I could figure out which one. I figure if I pull the SIR fuse and disconnect the airbag connectors (as the manual says to disable them) then I should be able to muck around and replace the sensor without risk.

 

You can access SIR error codes through the standard OBD II connector, if you have a scan tool capable of doing it. That's up to the tool you have. I would definetly recommend you pull the trouble codes and get a full understanding of your SIR system before you attempt anything.

Also, The sensing and diagnostic module has a reserve energy supply for the purpose of deployment that can last up to a minute after disconnecting vehicle power. You should wait at least five minutes and verify the circuit is open before you disconnect anything. Even if the deployment modules are disconnected, they will still deploy if current is applied. So don't probe them and be careful of static.

preist Enthusiast

preist

Posted
Posted
How do you get the Air Bag error codes? I don't believe they are available from the normal ODB II plug are they? My airbag error light has been on for the past year and I'd be happy to change which ever sensor is at fault if I could figure out which one. I figure if I pull the SIR fuse and disconnect the airbag connectors (as the manual says to disable them) then I should be able to muck around and replace the sensor without risk.

 

You can access SIR error codes through the standard OBD II connector, if you have a scan tool capable of doing it. That's up to the tool you have. I would definetly recommend you pull the trouble codes and get a full understanding of your SIR system before you attempt anything.

Also, The sensing and diagnostic module has a reserve energy supply for the purpose of deployment that can last up to a minute after disconnecting vehicle power. You should wait at least five minutes and verify the circuit is open before you disconnect anything. Even if the deployment modules are disconnected, they will still deploy if current is applied. So don't probe them and be careful of static.

 

 

Hey Waltv - do you know what those SIR error codes are? I looked this up in my Hayes manual and there are none listed where all the other ODBII codes are given.

 

Thanks

  • 5 months later...
coz331 Enthusiast

coz331

Posted
Posted

Anybody that can help would be appreciated

I am trying to REMOVE the passenger airbag from my 2003 Silverado but the "Service Airbag" light won't let me see my miles or anything. can i "trick" my truck to make it think that the airbag is still in and working fine. Thanks for your time

  • 5 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.4k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,840
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    appletrav
    Newest Member
    appletrav
    Joined

  • Who's Online   1 Member, 0 Anonymous, 282 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • newdude
      2 speed transfer case optional now?

      By newdude · Posted

      This is a 1/2 ton thing ONLY.  All HDs 2020-2026 have the two speed transfer case, with Autotrac as an option.     1/2 tons 2019-2026, regular 4x4s come with a single speed case (no 4LO!), and trucks with Z71 ordered, or all Trail Boss trucks come with the 2 speed case.  2 speed case is also an option on WT, and is also standard on High Country.  
    • newdude
      Different requirements for oil filters?

      By newdude · Posted

      2013 5.3 still to this day calls for the PF48 filter.  Which as a 15psi bypass pressure.     There is a TSB, 17-NA-157 that talks about the PF-63 and PF-64 filters which have a higher bypass rating of 22psi.    TSB HERE - temp.xml   "Beginning in 2012, the oil pumps began to regulate main gallery feedback instead of pump out pressure. This means that the oil pump now does not begin to regulate until pressure is built up to the main gallery. This change reduces the amount of time it takes to provide oil to the engine bearing and lifters during extreme cold start conditions.  Main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are present on the following engine families which use Spin-on oil filters: Small Gas Engine (SGE), Large Gas Engine (LGE), High Feature (HFV6) Gen2 and Small Block Gen5 gasoline engines. These engines with the main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are factory built with an ACDelco® oil filters"   It also calls out what engines use those filters.  The gen 4 small blocks were not on that list (LMG, LC9, L9H, L92, L94, L20, L96).  Gen 5 small blocks use the higher pressure filter.          That all said...   Your 7045 Napa filter is the PF63 equivalent, with 22psi bypass.  You are already using the higher bypass pressure filter.  You CAN keep using it, you don't technically have to use it though.  
    • Grumpy Bear
      Different requirements for oil filters?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Do you know WHY the filter relief setting was increased to 22 psig?    When the new system goes into the second stage the pump volume ramps up considerably. It was found that the 15 psi filter bypass setting put the filter in bypass on a warm engine when the second stage was activated. Raising the filter bypass setting forced the filter to do what it designed to do. Filter. Preventing debris from circulating during high load, high rpm operation.    So next question is how did GM find this out? VLOM/lifter failures and a deep dive by Melling Corp.    Last question. Is it required? Look at it like this; a motor may be equipped with a rev limiter. But it only works if the set point in reached. That 22 psig setting only matters if the pressure differential across the filter media exceeds 15 psig during normal warm operation. Second stage kicks in around 3000-3500 rpm.    I can't answer your question because I don't know you and how you use the truck. But I think there is enough information here to let you decide for yourself. 😉
    • Coastie05
      give me some tips to make my truck look better

      By Coastie05 · Posted

      Go back to OEM wheels. 
    • newdude
      2020 Trailboss 6.2 replacement

      By newdude · Posted

      Probably not their first rodeo, so it should go as planned most likely.  Typically the service manager or tech doing the swap will put some seat time to shake it down after they get it all put back together.  We usually put 50-100mi before we hand them back so if something happens, its not after you get it.  A coolant leaks, oil leaks, a ground left off or loose, vibration, etc.     The new engines so far have been good?  There's been a couple that have popped out there again (the replacement engine) but most have been okay.  

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...