The bumper of our 1998 C1500 was hit just enough to set off the driver's airbag (passenger side didn't deploy because it was turned off). I replaced the airbag out of another 1998 C1500 and checked out the sensor behind the bumper which appears to not be damaged. With everything back together and engine running, the airbag light stays on. Is there anything I can do to cancel out the light besides replacing the airbag computer under the seat? Or does it have to be reset by the dealer?
How do I cancel out the Airbag light?
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I usually pour mine a stiff drink. She usually is out for the night. :lol:
Seriously, go by one of the chain auto stores where they will loan you an scan tool. Scan and clear the codes. If this does not do it then you will have to go to the dealer or someone else that can clear or at least read the DTCs to see what is going on.
Seriously, go by one of the chain auto stores where they will loan you an scan tool. Scan and clear the codes. If this does not do it then you will have to go to the dealer or someone else that can clear or at least read the DTCs to see what is going on.
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200 Posts
According to the recommended procedures, you should replace that sensor, even if it "looks" good. The computer has to be reset by a special tool. You can try an auto parts store to see if they can reset it. Otherwise, the dealer will have to reset it for you.
Good Luck and God Bless
Good Luck and God Bless
I've tried the auto part chain stores and they could not reset the SRS module.... I do believe their scanners are for drivetrain only. Went to the local Chevy dealership and the technician said he couldn't clear the deployment code for my year truck (I was surprised). So now I'm entertaining the idea of sending the SRS module to an airbag business which specializes in resetting all fault codes (hard codes and soft codes). Any thoughts on this?
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7,267 Posts
The dealer most likely didn't want to clear the codes for liability reasons. They don't know if the repair was done correctly. Alot of fly-by-night used car/truck dealers don't replace the airbags, just the cover. A SnapOn scanner can reset the code if you can find a shop willing to do it. Also as mentioned above you need to replace the sensor, there made to be triggered/used once. Oh yea, welcome to the club.
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358 Posts
Just put a piece of black tape over the light. 
Beware of misleading info on the web and GM.
I was trying to fix airbag light on my 1999 Suburban. No crash or airbag deployment. Error codes were B1018 and B1015. Removed SDM from under drivers seat and ohmed the loops that the codes says was shorted to ground. Not so! Checked the single sensor on the front bumper area ( only one on the 99, not two described in some manuals and the net) no problem found - replaced it to eliminate it. Cut the sensor apart to see how it worked. It is a totally dump sensor - it is a magnetic reed switch with a 1k ohm resistor across normally open contacts. Mounted around the reed switch is a spring loaded doughnut magnet. If an impact is sufficient to overcome the spring, the doughnut slides far enough to let the reed switch contacts momentarily close - if the car is going fast enough, the SDM would fire the air bag.
To test the sensor: unplug the cable and test the resistance of the two pins - should read 1000 ohms. If you bang the sensor it would go briefly short shorted and return to 1000 ohms. The mounting screws are not electrically connected to sensor. There is no computer talking to this sensor as some info has erroneously stated.
The next lie proved wrong: The SDM 0n a 1999 is not unique to each car. I found an SDM from a junk 99 and replaced mine. Error gone. I suspect that much of the miss-info about the sdm revolves around the fact that big brother wants you not to be able to reset crash info. So, the SDM has a firmware latch that we do not have access to regardless if the original error was legit or not. In my case, there was no permanent short that I could find. My error may have started with a low speed bump/impact with a tree that set the SDM latch without firing the airbag. I do not know if the later year car sensors and SDM are similar. I do know that the SDM is nearly as primitive as the sensor. It has spring loaded switch instead of an modern strain gauge like used in cell phones to detect gravity (orentation) g-force. If you shake the SDM, you can hear the spring loaded switch parts rattle. GM should be ashamed to be asking $300 to $500 for a SDM replacement. The SDM can be reset by people on the web for about $40.
Good Luck,
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