Air Bag Light on

I need to get my car inspected in New York State, but my Air Bag light is
on. The new regulations force inspection shops to connect the car computer
to a computer in Albany for emissions (or something like that). Will this
Air Bag light issue cause my car to fail inspection? I would like to take
care of the Air Bag light issue after inspection if possible. I know it
sounds stupid, but money is the issue - as always. And my inspection runs
out at the end of December.

Please advise,

Thanx,

-Tom

 

And the vehicle in question is a.............?

 

Oops - 2005 Dodge Caravan

Sorry,

-Tom

 

Yup, light on, you fail

 

---------------------------------

Isn't that kind of stuff still covered under your warranty (or is it a
write-off?) Checked the connectors under the front passenger's seat to
be sure it's not unplugged?

'Curly'

 

OBD-II inspections only check for emissions control system codes and
readiness status. If you don't want to fix the airbag, I'd recommend
disconnecting it entirely - a fault that could *cause* the bag to blow
without an accident would ruin your day (and your shorts as well).

To keep the light off, you'll need to connect a resistor of appropriate
resistance in place of the airbag to fool the comp into thinking the bag
is still in place.

-Andrew

 

....or you'll need to remove the bulb from the "AIRBAG" light.

 

Is this vehicle still within 3/36? or was it involved in an accident?

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

2005 i bet it's a impact sensor

 

Don't you ever pull a stunt like that. Eventually that car is going to
end up on the used market and the buyer is going to think they have air
bag protection - when they really don't. How would you feel if you went
out and specifically bought a used car with driver and passenger airbags
for your 16 year old daughter to drive as her first car, and one day you
get a call from the cops - she was killed immediately when a drunk
crossed the centerline and head-on'd her and she wasn't wearing a seat
belt - and the accident investigator tells you that the airbags didn't
deploy
because some jackass like you, Andrew, put a resistor in?

I'll tell you what, if it was me I'd get a title report, hire a private
investigator,
and start filing civil lawsuits until I found the dirty dog that did it, and
then
I'd make a little 'adjustment' to their car. Damn, too bad about that
leaking brake bleeder screw!

Whether or not you get the bag sensor fixed or you disconnect it is your
choice but leave the airbag warning light alone. The next owner of the car
needs to know the system is disabled and deserves to have the option to
make the choice to not fix it.

Ted

 

Over warranty - now on Ext warranty - 53k miles - no accident.

-Tom

 

I agree with you Ted. I have 2 teenage daughters that drive.

I will get this fixed myself, but cash is tight right now with Christmas and
all.

-Tom

 

I'd never *sell* the car in that condition. I was talking about getting
it to pass inspection if they actually tested the airbag controller, *not*
selling the car. One could always disconnect the resistor before sale.
And I've sold several cars and have always disclosed far more than was
obvious to the casual buyer, so I wouldn't lie about something like that.

No need to be a condescending prick based on conjecture.

-Andrew

 

Hey Tom, Don't unhook the lite or put a band-aid on it, take it in and
have em look at it at the dealer. I have a seen a few clocksprings go bad on
this van but other then that it has been a pretty good system. Depending on
the service contract you have it may or may not be covered. But either way
keep your receipts.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

First I would clear the code.

Then wait to see if the light and code returned. If it does then delve
into the problem and find the cause.

If it doesn't, great. It wouldn't be the first or the last time that a
vehicle has set an errant air bag code.

 

There is no need to clear the fault because it will come back as soon as
the key is turned on. This isnt an OBD2 fault. As soon as the system is
repaired the lite will turn off as soon as the self test is done on key
on.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

You maybe not, most people definitely. Why would someone disclose
the air bag system is faulty when to do so would knock hundreds if not
thousands off the sale price? There's lots worse that people regularly
do not disclose on a used car sale.

Not at all my man. I was merely illustrating what could happen to you
or anyone that tries that.

You may be honest enough to disclose this, but I have my doubts since
your advocating cheating the inspectors, and I fail to see what the
difference
is between the state inspectors and a purchaser. And disclosure AFTER
the sale is complete is quite different than before the price is agreed on.

But most people would not disclose, and it is only the threat of retaliation
as
a result of their actions killing someone, that will give them pause.

I would also point out that it is likely that anyone intelligent enough to
take the moral high ground could figure out the resistor trick on their
own, while it is likely that the criminal element who would defeat a
safety device and not disclose, is almost certainly not going to be smart
enough to figure this out. No need for you to help them.

Ted

 

Nah, it's more that I don't presonally *like* being forced to have
airbombs in my car. IMHO, people should, for example, have the choice to
remove them and install a proper 5-point restraint system if they so
desire. They shouldn't need to get a little note from their doctor to
send to Big Mommy Nhtsa who *might* give them permission to disconnect
their air bombs. Thus, I'm giving info on how to disconnect things. Just
another small way of spitting on the Nanny State.

-Andrew

 

thats why we have the second amendment so when we the people want our country
bac we can take it

 

I have said before in this forum that a 5 point is the way to go.

If they are too stupid to figure out how to disconnect them by themselves,
then they -need- a note from their doctor to send to Big Mommy NHTSA

If you had given instructions on how to properly disconnect them - by
putting in a switch, clearly marked, that says they are on or off - that
would
have accomplished the stated goal of "spitting on the nanny state" without
creating a hazard.

The fact that you didn't and instead gave instructions on how to do it in
such a way as to create a hazard, shows that all this Nanny State stuff is
a load of bullcrap. You really don't care about the Nanny State at all,
all you care about is seeing as many airbags disconnected out there as
possible.

People that really want the Nanny State to go away advocate for things
that empower people to make choices for themselves. But you would
rather see the 2nd and 3rd owners of cars with disabled airbags not
have the choice of reconnecting those bags, you would rather they didn't
know they were disconnected. Because you think that your airbagless
way of things is superior to the NHTSA's requirement for airbags.

Basically your as bad as the Nanny State people - you just as much as
they, want to take choice away from people. The only difference
is that the Nanny people want to force everyone to have airbags, you
by contrast want to force everyone to not have airbags.

Ted