air bag light?

tai_bo · 04-01-2010, 12:44 PM

hi, i have a 2003 forester xt, iv just noticed that my airbag light has come on, dunno what has caused this, any suggestions what to look for to fix it?

many thanx

Peaty · 04-01-2010, 01:03 PM

It's not uncommon for one of the plugs under the front seat has either gotten loose or dirty. Very first thing to do is find the harness under each seat (start with the drivers seat) and unplug then plug it back in. You can always find the airbag wires (SRS system) because they are bright yellow. Try that first and let us know.

tai_bo · 04-01-2010, 01:54 PM

many thanx, il have to check first thing in the morning, as in uk it is late and dark, will let you know the outcome, thanx for your help.

tai_bo · 04-04-2010, 02:20 PM

thanx, problem sorted. it was the plugs under the seat.

Peaty · 04-04-2010, 02:32 PM

Glad it was something simple, cheers :)

ScoobieFamIL · 04-07-2010, 08:27 AM

I plan on examining this tonight! i hope it works :)

bbottomley · 04-15-2010, 03:05 PM

I got nailed by this the other day. I had earlier been rummaging under the seat (to get my spray can of window cleaner to remove bird poop), so that's where I went first. The connectors were actually still together but apparently partially dislodged inside. One squeeze and all was OK.

Peaty · 04-15-2010, 03:33 PM

I keep one of those synthetic chamois in the car for bird poop. The rag stays damp in the plastic tube :)

I had the same thing happen to me, the light came on and I pushed on the harness and it went out. For good measure I just unplugged and plugged it back in.

Nick D · 04-15-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaty

It's not uncommon for one of the plugs under the front seat has either gotten loose or dirty. Very first thing to do is find the harness under each seat (start with the drivers seat) and unplug then plug it back in. You can always find the airbag wires (SRS system) because they are bright yellow. Try that first and let us know.

Lol same problem today after I shapooed my carpets. Didn't realize until I was 2 miles down the road and the ugly airbag light was looking at me. Looked under the seat and the vacuum pulled one of the connectors out. 2 sec fix.

BigGreen · 05-27-2010, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaty

It's not uncommon for one of the plugs under the front seat has either gotten loose or dirty. Very first thing to do is find the harness under each seat (start with the drivers seat) and unplug then plug it back in. You can always find the airbag wires (SRS system) because they are bright yellow. Try that first and let us know.

I have had this issue for about a year or more. Took it to three mechanics, no joy. All I had left was the dealership that $90 to look at the problem. I pushed the cables together at lunch today and the light went out!!! I think I see tears of joy on my wife's face!!!

The Black Box · 05-27-2010, 05:12 PM

I thought you only pay someone to actually fix something?

jgrote · 05-30-2010, 07:57 AM

Okay, so I checked all the normal things. I unplugged all 3 plugs under the seats. (Why are there 2 under the driver's seat? I don't have power seats.) The light is still on. Is there a diagnosing proceedure beyond checking all the plugs? This car has had no accidents.

bbottomley · 05-30-2010, 08:52 AM

Did you really mean to say 'unplugged'?

This can also be caused by a disconnected or broken 'clock spring,' which is the flexible cable that connects electrical stuff in the steering wheel to the rest of the Forester. Does your horn work?

jgrote · 05-30-2010, 03:13 PM

Unplugged and reseated all 3 plugs. Horn still works.

Woody '04 · 06-05-2010, 02:21 AM

I have a 2004. There is a TSB on this. The connector under driver's seat has a higher resistance connection than the computer monitoring system thinks is OK. The airbags should still work. Repair involves getting a new plastic part of the connector (easy to bend/break) and VERY CAREFULLY applying just enough solder to one side of the metal terminals after removing them from the plastic connector to make a better connection. IMHO it is a more delicate operation than many newer techs could do successfully without some practice.

I think I found this on scoobymods someplace. The H/C I kept doesn't have full web address. The TSB number shown is 17-01-04 dated 8/12/04 applicable to MY 2003 and 2004 thru VIN 4*737367.

04-01-2010, 12:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
tai_bo Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 18 Location: birmingham Car Year: 2003 Car Model: 2.0 xt Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	air bag light? hi, i have a 2003 forester xt, iv just noticed that my airbag light has come on, dunno what has caused this, any suggestions what to look for to fix it? many thanx

04-01-2010, 01:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
Peaty The Modfather Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7,186 Location: Lawrence, KS - Rock Chalk Car Year: 2010 Car Model: Legacy 3.6R Limited Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 9 reviews	It's not uncommon for one of the plugs under the front seat has either gotten loose or dirty. Very first thing to do is find the harness under each seat (start with the drivers seat) and unplug then plug it back in. You can always find the airbag wires (SRS system) because they are bright yellow. Try that first and let us know. __________________ Peaty 2010 Legacy 3.6 R - Limited 2006 B9 Tribeca - Limited 1999 Miata - MX5

04-04-2010, 02:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Peaty The Modfather Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7,186 Location: Lawrence, KS - Rock Chalk Car Year: 2010 Car Model: Legacy 3.6R Limited Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 9 reviews	Glad it was something simple, cheers :) __________________ Peaty 2010 Legacy 3.6 R - Limited 2006 B9 Tribeca - Limited 1999 Miata - MX5

04-07-2010, 08:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
ScoobieFamIL Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Blormal, IL Car Year: 2004 Car Model: Forester Gallery: 5 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I plan on examining this tonight! i hope it works :) __________________ 2004 SF Cayenne Red/NA/4EAT- for my wife

04-15-2010, 03:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
bbottomley Super Moderator Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11,457 Location: New London, NH Car Year: 2003 Car Model: XS Premium Transmission: MT Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I got nailed by this the other day. I had earlier been rummaging under the seat (to get my spray can of window cleaner to remove bird poop), so that's where I went first. The connectors were actually still together but apparently partially dislodged inside. One squeeze and all was OK. __________________ 2003 XS Premium MT >180k miles! ● 2005 Impreza 2.5 RS MT ● Robin-Subaru Powered Generator

04-01-2010, 01:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
tai_bo Forum Member Thread Starter Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 18 Location: birmingham Car Year: 2003 Car Model: 2.0 xt Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	many thanx, il have to check first thing in the morning, as in uk it is late and dark, will let you know the outcome, thanx for your help.

04-04-2010, 02:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
tai_bo Forum Member Thread Starter Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 18 Location: birmingham Car Year: 2003 Car Model: 2.0 xt Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	thanx, problem sorted. it was the plugs under the seat.

04-15-2010, 03:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Peaty The Modfather Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7,186 Location: Lawrence, KS - Rock Chalk Car Year: 2010 Car Model: Legacy 3.6R Limited Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 9 reviews	I keep one of those synthetic chamois in the car for bird poop. The rag stays damp in the plastic tube :) I had the same thing happen to me, the light came on and I pushed on the harness and it went out. For good measure I just unplugged and plugged it back in. __________________ Peaty 2010 Legacy 3.6 R - Limited 2006 B9 Tribeca - Limited 1999 Miata - MX5

05-27-2010, 05:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
The Black Box Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 4,219 Location: Los Angeles Car Year: '09 Car Model: STI Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I thought you only pay someone to actually fix something? __________________ '09 STI

05-30-2010, 07:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
jgrote Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4,276 Location: Denver, CO Car Year: 2004 Car Model: Forester Transmission: 4EAT Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Okay, so I checked all the normal things. I unplugged all 3 plugs under the seats. (Why are there 2 under the driver's seat? I don't have power seats.) The light is still on. Is there a diagnosing proceedure beyond checking all the plugs? This car has had no accidents. __________________ 04 X a/t 00 L a/t w/ 200K! Last edited by jgrote; 05-30-2010 at 03:12 PM. Reason: learning to spell under

05-30-2010, 08:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
bbottomley Super Moderator Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11,457 Location: New London, NH Car Year: 2003 Car Model: XS Premium Transmission: MT Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Did you really mean to say 'unplugged'? This can also be caused by a disconnected or broken 'clock spring,' which is the flexible cable that connects electrical stuff in the steering wheel to the rest of the Forester. Does your horn work? __________________ 2003 XS Premium MT >180k miles! ● 2005 Impreza 2.5 RS MT ● Robin-Subaru Powered Generator Last edited by bbottomley; 05-30-2010 at 09:10 AM.

05-30-2010, 03:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
jgrote Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4,276 Location: Denver, CO Car Year: 2004 Car Model: Forester Transmission: 4EAT Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Unplugged and reseated all 3 plugs. Horn still works. __________________ 04 X a/t 00 L a/t w/ 200K!

06-05-2010, 02:21 AM	#15 (permalink)
Woody '04 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,052 Location: NC Car Year: 04 Car Model: Forester X, MT Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have a 2004. There is a TSB on this. The connector under driver's seat has a higher resistance connection than the computer monitoring system thinks is OK. The airbags should still work. Repair involves getting a new plastic part of the connector (easy to bend/break) and VERY CAREFULLY applying just enough solder to one side of the metal terminals after removing them from the plastic connector to make a better connection. IMHO it is a more delicate operation than many newer techs could do successfully without some practice. I think I found this on scoobymods someplace. The H/C I kept doesn't have full web address. The TSB number shown is 17-01-04 dated 8/12/04 applicable to MY 2003 and 2004 thru VIN 4*737367. __________________ '04 Forester X 5spd MT Past Green, Red '00 L 5spd

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
SubaruForester.org Advertisement

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode