air bag light on

**0rion** · 02-09-2015, 10:24 AM

Air bag light on the dmax is on. Anyone know if efilive or hptuners will read that code? I'm guessing they won't but thought I'd ask. Any tips on trouble shooting it without a trip to the dealership? I figure either a bad sensor or bad wire. Would be easier though if I could narrow it down.

**5.0THIS** · 02-10-2015, 12:00 AM

I think you can ohm out the sensors individually. Other than that you're checking connections and chasing wires

**0rion** · 02-10-2015, 12:58 AM

that's kinda what I was thinking....I believe there are 2 of those sensors under the bumper. I'll have to hunt around and find the specs and then ohm those out.......after unhooking the batteries of course.

If it were just me I could live without airbags which is the state they're in right now but my wife prefers to have a working air bag and with vacation and camper towing season right around the corner I want to get on this and fix it. The list of shit to fix on that truck is starting to get a little long.

**Cutlass** · 02-10-2015, 01:45 AM

On the trucks, is usually one of the front end sensors behind the front bumper area. No need to test them, the trouble code doesn't have much(or any) diagnostic to it. Just says discard sensor.
Be careful testing airbag stuff. An ohmmeter puts out electricity in order to measure resistance. That electricity can blow your airbag and hurt you.

**pajeff02** · 02-10-2015, 03:04 AM

What Aaron is trying to say Tim, is that you should be sitting in the driver seat holding at least one beer while a buddy probes the air bag connections.

I have a P0449 on our Suburban right now - just picked up a new vent solenoid assembly and adapter harness to install this evening.

**theorangeguy** · 02-10-2015, 05:19 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

that's kinda what I was thinking....I believe there are 2 of those sensors under the bumper. I'll have to hunt around and find the specs and then ohm those out.......after unhooking the batteries of course.

If it were just me I could live without airbags which is the state they're in right now but my wife prefers to have a working air bag and with vacation and camper towing season right around the corner I want to get on this and fix it. The list of shit to fix on that truck is starting to get a little long.

Time to trade.

But I do agree with Jeff...make sure you are in the drivers seat when somebody is fooling around with the sensors in the bumper. Make sure your wife gets it on camera too...could be a $1 million video

**0rion** · 02-10-2015, 05:32 AM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

On the trucks, is usually one of the front end sensors behind the front bumper area. No need to test them, the trouble code doesn't have much(or any) diagnostic to it. Just says discard sensor.
Be careful testing airbag stuff. An ohmmeter puts out electricity in order to measure resistance. That electricity can blow your airbag and hurt you.

the problem I have is knowing which sensor is bad (they're about a $75-$80 sensor at rockauto)....thought maybe I could ohm them out to determine if one of them needs replaced. I figure I would be fine ohming it from the plug back to the sensor so it wouldn't be plugged into the bag when I hit it with the meter. Like I say....I would also make sure the batteries were unhooked. Any idea on what they should ohm out at?

**0rion** · 02-10-2015, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

What Aaron is trying to say Tim, is that you should be sitting in the driver seat holding at least one beer while a buddy probes the air bag connections.

I have a P0449 on our Suburban right now - just picked up a new vent solenoid assembly and adapter harness to install this evening.

how do you know I wouldn't be doing that anyhow?

I have this air bag deal to fix, a glow plug which I have sitting here already, rear brakes, and then the door handles for the back door. Both are broken. Cheap ass GM plastic. This is the 2nd time they've broken during the winter on me. This time I fixed the root issue I believe.......the rods were out of adjustment on the door latches so hopefully this will be the last time.

**Cutlass** · 02-10-2015, 09:29 AM

You can ohm out sensors, I'll see if I can find specs. Just don't hook your meter up to an air bag itself.
Both front sensors are the same I think. So if your a gambling man, buy one front end sensor. Plug it in in the left side and see if the light goes out. If not, then plug it in the right side.

**0rion** · 02-10-2015, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

You can ohm out sensors, I'll see if I can find specs. Just don't hook your meter up to an air bag itself.
Both front sensors are the same I think. So if your a gambling man, buy one front end sensor. Plug it in in the left side and see if the light goes out. If not, then plug it in the right side.

I had thought about just doing that too......the way my luck goes though it won't even be a sensor so if I can ohm it out to make sure that'd make me feel better about ordering one.

**Cutlass** · 02-10-2015, 04:00 PM

I couldn't find a ohm spec for the front end sensor. The service manual describes the issue as the sensor sends a "not ok " message to the air bag computer.
You might have to find someone to read the code so it can point u in the right direction.

**pajeff02** · 02-10-2015, 04:56 PM

Tim: I found this in a Chevy truck forum --

New Dorman sensors showed up. They do have an ohm value to them. 19.7 and 20.2. The bad ones on the truck are showing open. FYI.