1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Air Bag Light ON

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by fgoodyear, Feb 21, 2009.

  1. fgoodyear

    fgoodyear New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2007
    187
    11
    0
    Location:
    Tillson, New York
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Today, My son backed my 07' Prius into a large square concrete post. In the process, it bent the bumper in just to the drivers side of middle and caused the dr. side of the bumper to come loose all the way around to the dr. rear wheel well. The support behind the bumper was bent in sort of a vee at the point of impact and the styrofoam broken in two. The red air bag light on my dash has been on ever since. I took the drivers end of the foam out and the bumper went flush. I was able to snap it back into place and get the bumper hanging straight. BUT.... the airbag light is still on. What do I have to do to get that light turned off. I have the Bentley repair manual, but it doesn't tell me anything much about the airbag system. I have to get the bracket that holds the dr. side of the bumper onto the side of the car and the screw by the taillight and the corner bumper of the hatch... plus the foam piece across the bumper, an dsee if I can pull the inner bracket back out. There is some kind of electrical component mounted to that bracket underneath the bumper skin, but I don't know what it is. Didn't know a rear hit could turn the air bag light on. HELP!!!!!!!!

    I know.... I'm rambling, but it's keeping me from killing my son right now

    Thanks,

    Frank..........:(:mad:
     
  2. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2005
    1,761
    208
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Take the car to the dealer right away. The air bag is not a DIY item.
     
  3. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2004
    2,077
    295
    0
    Location:
    Ormond Beach,Fl.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    :grouphug:Kids!!!! At least know you have company LOL.
     
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hi Frank,

    The electrical component is probably the rear hatch smart key oscillator (assuming you have the Smart Entry/Smart Start feature.)

    Yes, a rear impact should have no effect on the airbag system. Maybe the jolt affected the sensor mounted on the B-pillar that controls the LH-side airbags. In any event, your dealer will be able to retrieve the airbag ECU fault codes and quickly determine the problem.
     
  5. fgoodyear

    fgoodyear New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2007
    187
    11
    0
    Location:
    Tillson, New York
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Update on the SRS/Airbag light. While sitting in the passenger seat, I noticed that the pass. airbag light showed OFF instead of on. I felt under the seat and found... still connected, but out of its bracket, the passenger detection air bag module. I snapped it back into its clip, but no difference. Somehow, I now don't think it is the module under the bumper skin now. How sophisticated a code reader does one have to have to retrieve a code for the airbag. I have the Bentley book and it shows that a reader should bring up a code. I went to my local Advance Auto Parts store and used thier code reader..... no codes were shown. Maybe theirs only shows engine codes? I guess the dealers will read ALL codes instead of just engine codes. I probably will end up taking it to the dealer, but I would like to be able to direct them and know what I am talking about when I do. I am a little picky like that.

    Thanks....

    Frank:confused:
     
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hi Frank,

    Yes, a generic OBD-II code reader probably will not pick up codes generated by the SRS ECU.

    If you want to experiment, I suggest that you disconnect the 12V auxiliary battery negative terminal. Wait a few minutes, then disconnect the wiring harness connector leading to the passenger detection module. Then reinsert the connector securely. Reconnect the battery negative terminal and see if that helps.
     
  7. fgoodyear

    fgoodyear New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2007
    187
    11
    0
    Location:
    Tillson, New York
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Worth a try... did more reading. Kicking the SRS light and the AIRBAG off light was probably from one of the crash sensors and a better meter such as a snap-on will probably clear it. There was something about it in the Prius owners manual. Thanks for the help...

    Frank..;)


     
  8. fgoodyear

    fgoodyear New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2007
    187
    11
    0
    Location:
    Tillson, New York
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Another update on the SRS light. Did my homework and knew what had to be done.

    1. Plug in the OBDII computer reader.
    2. Push button 2 times to get to "on" no foot on brake
    3. read code.
    4. check and reset.
    5. Shut car off.

    Sounds like it is pretty simple, huh. The dealer said it would only take a few minutes to check it out. Good! Problem is... they have to charge me an for an hour. That is $84.50 plus tax! BAD! Minimum charge is an hour for 10 minutes work! I may try the taking the battery loose thing and see if it works first! Any more ideas from anyone. I have another good dealer ripoff story, but I will save it for later.

    Frank......:mad: