Airbag light comes on intermittently?

LADY UNIKHRN

MEMBER
1999 DODGE RAM

Electrical problem V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic 125000 miles

I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 Magnum V8 Quad Cab and the airbag light comes on intermittently I have tried to pin down any particular reason for this ie. Time between the light coming on and beeping each time, and the times it beeps before stopping and going out again, or is there a particular time of day or weather (too hot or too cold) factor that is affecting this, shutting the vehicle off and restarting to see if that makes its come on or will stop it. Nothing is consistent, it could go weeks with out it coming on or it could come on every time I start it for days in a row. The local dodge dealer in my town went bankrupt and closed down and the nearest one is more than 2 hours away.

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Sunday, May 10th, 2009 AT 3:34 PM

18 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,512 POSTS

What happens is the steering wheel clock spring goes out cause the air bag light to come on. Here is a guide to show you what you are in for when changing the part out.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/steering-wheel-clock-spring-removal

Here is what it will be like on your car (below)

Please let us know what happens so it will help others.

Cheers, Ken

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Friday, October 13th, 2017 AT 1:21 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

You can get a CAN scanner (Controller Area Network) which will work on most cars from Amazon here is a video to show you how.

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

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Friday, October 13th, 2017 AT 1:35 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,512 POSTS

Here is a new video we just did showing how to get the air bag codes so we can see whats going on.

https://youtu.be/gnSGfEqrf_w

Please let us know what you find. I'm interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:26 AM

DNICHOLLS

MEMBER
1 POST
1999 DODGE RAM
105,000 MILES

WITH CHIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING AND THEN GO OUT AFTER A WHILE? ON 2500 PU. The airbag light and a chime come on while driving, stay on a while and then go out. This repeats. What is the probable cause and how can I fix it?

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

There is a fault in the srs system. you need to watch this video to get the codes to accurately diagnose.

https://youtu.be/gnSGfEqrf_w

Roy

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

EJAIME3

MEMBER
6 POSTS
1994 DODGE RAM
5.9L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

I need to get the airbag code that is stored in the PCM, but I do not have a place to connect the scanner.

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,870 POSTS

Air Bag, ABS, and I think the Transmission Computer are accessed through the blue 6 or 8-pin connector, not the regular square connector under the hood. The blue one is usually on the right side of the bottom of the dash center section, inches above the transmission hump in the floor. It might be visible when you look down there from the passenger-side door, or there could be a plastic trim cover to pop off. It might also be found behind the inside fuse box cover left of the steering column, or clipped under the lower edge of the dash, near the steering column.

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

EJAIME3

MEMBER
6 POSTS
1994 DODGE RAM
5.9L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

I need to find out what is wrong with the airbag system and how to fix it?

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny.

That means an SRS (supplemental restraint) code is stored in your vehicles computer.This also includes air bag codes.Here is a tutorial for you to read about how to check codes:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

After having the code(s) read get back to us with the code information and we can properly diagnose.If you don't have access to a scanner/code reader most auto parts stores have a tool loaner program and can loan you one. AutoZone will check your codes for free.Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

EJAIME3

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Are these codes stored under the check engine light using the key system? Or are they stored in the air bag control module? And if so how do I access air bag fault codes from control module?

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello again,

All codes are stored in your vehicles PCM (power-train control module). Here is a tutorial showing how to retrieve your vehicles codes.Your local auto parts store Autozone can check codes for free.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/retrieve-trouble-codes-for-chrysler-dodge-plymouth-odb1-1995-and-earlier-car-mini-van-and-light-trucks

If you get back to us with the air bag code number we can help properly diagnose the fault.Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

EJAIME3

MEMBER
6 POSTS

The link you sent does not work. Okay I get it. The airbag codes are stored and retrieved the same way. So, the codes I'm getting are 12 and 37.

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello again,

I've attached a chart below for your trucks air bag codes. You replied with code number 12 and 37. Those are not showing.I will have to look into this further. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

EJAIME3

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Thank you for that information. It has been several days and I haven't heard from you. Have you found out anything regarding the codes? Please let me know because I haven't found anything on my own.

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

JONNYB1963

MECHANIC
252 POSTS

Here is another thread that discusses the airbag codes you are receiving:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/air-bag-code-12

Apparently the 12 refers to low voltage on the firing circuit.

Regards,
Jon

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello again.

Here are what I've found for code 12:

12 - Memory to controller has been cleared within 50-100 engine starts.
Code 37-
37 - Part throttle unlock (PTU) circuit, open or short detected.

Are you sure you having airbag codes or check engine light codes? Also, What kind of scanner was used to retrieve them?

Danny-

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

EJAIME3

MEMBER
6 POSTS

I have gone over this many times. There is no plug for a scanner on my truck. It is pre 1996 Also I am using the key method and it does not reveal air bag codes. I need a scanner that costs 300 dollars in order to retrieve air bag codes, but how do I attach the scanner without the plug. That is the question.

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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM (Merged)

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,512 POSTS

Hello,

If I can jump in here. There is no diagnostic connector for the airbag system, it is a real time system before diagnostics were available. Here is the airbag wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.

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