This is an odd one, but perhaps someone might know a technical answer before I have to spend $ on diag.

yesterday I had left my sunroof popped open and the neighbors sprinklers went on. Car was soaked, and the interior seats were wet (no puddles, but wet) so i wiped them down. Center arm rest was a little wet too.

10 minutes later while driving, my airbag failure light is on and hasnt gone off.

Ideas?

 

The airbag harness connectors are extremely sensitive to corrosion. A small amount of resistance will cause an airbag light. However, you should still get it scanned so you know what connector(s) to look at. It may even be unrelated and something else.

 

The seat belt buckle can cause the airbag light to go off. Probably have some water in there.
I'd let it dry then turn the light off with a durametric.
If you don't have one, you should. Super handy for codes etc. around $300. It'll save you money and trips to the dealer in the future.

 

Thanks guys, is there any cheaper scan tool that you guys would recommend? I dont mind spending like $100 on something to check codes, but I'm not a tech, so just having something to pull codes and reset would be good enough then right? Ive seen scan tools for $40 at pepboys...

I figure it has been a good amount of time, if I reset the airbag light after checking the code, it should be fine. yes, the seat belt buckle was quite wet...

 

per gearheads response, the seat belt connectors are known points of failure that often cause the airbag light usually it's a weak connection requiring replacing or at the very least cleaning with elec cleaner stuff. but water would definitely do it. i don't think you will be able to reset the airbag light with some of the cheaper code checkers ( eg actron for like 75 bucks that i have that reads and erases simple CEL's etc ) but possibly? the durametric will. or you *may* need the factory pwis tester. it has to do with liabilities in that they don't want normal folks to be able to switch on/off the airbag cel.

 

I had the same problem with my wives Honda oddyssey. My kids were messing with our keys and held the unlock button which opened the windows. Of course, it rained, soaked the interior and we got all kinds of srs lights. I disconnected the battery, filled the van with damp rids, and let it sit for a day or so and the lights went away. I find it surprising that it reset something as important as the srs system, however, it worked. maybe its worth a try

Scott

 

plus 1 on seat belts... No one on 6spd close to you with a durametric?

 

yeah had that happen with a sunroof left open in the rain, air bag light was because of seat belt lock.

 

I dont know anyone around here that is on 6Speed... Closest person i know is 90 miles away i think. If someone is near The Villages, Ocala, Florida area, that would be awesome! Coffee's on me!