MTM

I think my airbag controller is dead. Even if I do the reset sequence to get rid of the warning light, it comes back on after a few minutes of driving. Does anyone have an extra control unit they would like to sell? Thanks!

AznDrgn

what's the part number? Got a picture of what it looks like? I pulled a bunch of modules when I parted an '89S2 and I know the module in that one works because the airbags went off when the car wrecked.

streckfu's

Run the test sequence to see if a sensor has failed. Since you are able to reset, it may not bethe controller itself but one of the remote sensors.

I think Clark's Garage has the info on how to pull the fault codes.

Izzy

Have you even been able to find said molex connector under the dash? I looked and looked for a half hour one day and it was nowhere to be found.

MTM

I took it to the dealer a couple months ago and they came up with some fault codes. Here is what they wrote on the invoice:

1. Faulty warning lamp: estimate to replace control unit $3209
2. Drivers air bag ignition pill circuit #1
3. Drivers air bag ignition pill excessive resistance circuit #1

Looking up those codes on Clark's Garage gives me this:
1. Failure Warning Lamp
- Central warning lamp and belt symbol still light up after failure of the airbag sign.
- Remove and check control lamp and replace if necessary.
- Check wiring harness for damage and replace control unit if necessary.

2. I couldn't find the second one, it looks like they forgot to write down the whole code

3. Ignition Pill Circuit 1: Excessive resistance
- Replace the contact unit.
- Check plug contacts of plug connections to airbag unit and contact unit for corrosion.
- If contacts are in good condition, try connecting a new airbag unit.
- Attempt to reset airbag warning light (ELECT-12) and then turn the ignition on.
- If fault is still present, replace control unit.

Faults 1 and 3 both say replace control unit, so I'm guessing I need to do that. Unfortunately I don't know what the control unit looks like or what part number it is.

Izzy, I actually spent a long time searching for that molex connector too. Maybe this picture can help:

User 41221

I'm sure I have one if you need it. It may take me a day or so to find the box I put it in, let me know if I should start looking.

Regards,

Oddjob

Matt,

The control unit is the orange box in your picture, up behind the glove box on the firewall. The control unit requires some screwing around to replace, so make sure the original one is shot before you mess around pulling it out to replace it.

tod84944

If you don't find one, let me know. I have one out of the S2 when we took the airbags out.
Todd

MTM

Thanks for all the replies! I just ran the test sequence 3 times just to make sure I was doing it properly, and it gave the same results each time. It appears that I only have 2 faults:

1. Ignition Pill Circuit 1 - Break
2. Ignition Pill Circuit 1 - Excessive resistance

Accordingly, it says I should do the following in this order:

1. check plug to airbag unit
2. check plug to contact unit
3. replace contact unit
4. replace airbag unit
5. replace control unit

I know what the control unit is now, but I don't know what the contact unit is or what the airbag unit is. Can someone point me in the right direction? Once I get to the point where I need to replace one or more of those units, I will contact you guys that have spares. Thanks!

Izzy

Thanks MTM! I swear I spent 10x more time preparing for things than actually doing them.