"Service Airbag" DIC Warning - New TSB

[willmann]

My service airbag light started coming on over a year ago, intermittently then started staying on most of the time. I was taking my Avalanche 03 in for inspection recently and was worried they might fail it so I got on here to see what was known about the problem. I've also encountered numerous owners with the same problem. I use the parking brake daily and the hood release weekly, which is also located in the same area as the connector, not sure if this has anything to do with the part/connection problem but I suspect it might. However, after reading this form I went out and engaged the parking brake, with the ignition off and key out and gave the plastic panel three solid hits with my fist but not so hard as to cause any damage. I have not seen the light or the error message since, and the inspection went fine.

 

[cadboy1]

Mine has not come on for the last 5 months and now it wont go out. Unplugging the connector only keeps it out when I restart the truck. The next time I start it, its back on 

 

[cadboy1]

I got the 2 plugs today. They give you crimp connectors  I will probably solder and shrink wrap them. 

 

[cadboy1]

Changed the plugs today and airbag light still on 

 

[Maverick1974]

I was on a trip someplace (not sure if it was when I went to Indiana or not) gave the panel a kick and it went away 5 seconds later.

 

[cadboy1]

I guess I have to break my 6+ year streak without going to the dealer 

 

[cadboy1]

Found a place with the scan tool for SRS Airbags so I can avoid the stealership..Going Tuesday 

 

[lminor204]

I have the same problem although mine has never been intermittent. I have a 2005 model and my light came on about 4 months ago. I called the dealership and they said the sensor may have come unplugged. I no longer have a waranty on my truck so I can't take it to the dealer. We have a mechanic at work that looked at it for me and when he plugs his diagnosis machine in to the panel it gives him no codes. (ok, bear with me for a min on the wording because I am a chick that doesn't know the lingo) Anyway, everyone on here wants Chevrolet to do a recall on this or at least fix it for free since it is such a huge problem. I was looking on forums all day yesterday and hundreds of people across the country have the same problem. If we all want something done about it everyone needs to file a complaint. If you go to this website http://www.safercar.gov/ and file a complaint they will see something needs to be done. The more complaints, the better it is for us all.

Go to the link and file a complaint, it takes about 2 min.

 

[lminor204]

Update, unplugging and re plugging the yellow plug fixed service light and mirror had to replace the fuse under the hood.  It?s been 5 days and still working well.

 

[jsg35]

Are you unplugging and replugging the yellow connector under the driver seat or the one behind the drivers side kick panel?  Do you do this with the AV running or turned off.  What is the significance of unplugging and replugging 3 or 4 times as I have read on this post?  Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me!

** Update **
My problem ended up being a front end sensor.  I called Chevy Customer Assistance 1-800-222-1020 and explained to them that I had bubblegum man and "service airbag" light on continuously on my '05 AV with less than 30,000 miles on it.  They told me I would have to have it diagnosed at the dealership ($105) and then call them back with the results.  The service guy told me I needed a front end sensor and it would be $291.67 + tax.  I called Chevy Customer Assistance back (while standing at the service desk in front of the service guy).  While I was talking to them, the service desk guy said that they would take care of it for me at no cost to me.  Some dealerships still do take care of their customers, this was quite refreshing.

I think it helped from reading all of the posts on here, I let everyone know that this was a known problem (over a hundred posts) and was very adamant that it should be fixed at no cost to me.

 

[soccerprice]

well for the most part to all that have the dic warning is that the clock spring in the steering has been the caulprit too many vehicls acording ti a release from chev in june of '09... the spring provides the electricity for the air bag t work and if the slightest varpayion of .002 oms .. the system sends a warning... air bag not working... i've gone thru this chev and they blame the air bag yet other have discovered including chev that the problem is in the clock spring .... copper on the spring wears down .... chev wannts to charge for a new air bag for they have to remove it to get to clock spring .....i have gone thru this during my warrentyu period and after ... the statement that chev will take care of problem even after warranty period for same problem is bull ... hell the air bag not working has been told it was my fault... because i drove the vehicle too long... the vehicle is an 06 and the problem has occured  and worked on since 07.....

 

[brianelton]

Mine has been on for a week.

I pulled the leather back on each seat and wiggled the wires that go to the seat belt harness connector.
I moved both seats forward all the way, removed the plastic cover off the big harness with the yellow connector...wiggled those wires and pushed the connectors together (they felt OK anyway)
I located the yellow connector near the driver kick panel and wiggled it and push it together (it felt OK).
Drove truck twice and no "Service Air Bag System" on the DIC.

I have a 2003 Z66. 140K mi.
I thought this had been a good truck, and thought I haven't done much to it, but then I started thinking today:
Overall...still pretty happy with it. I have done all repairs myself. None have cost much in the grand scheme of things.

Addressed steering pop issue (steering column issue)
Addressed body pop issue (body mount spacer)
New gauge cluster (gauges were wrong)
New intake gasket (pcm code lean in Bank 1)
New carrier bearing in rear diff (rear end was howling, metal fatigue on passenger side bearing, diff full of metal)
New extreme duty fan clutch (A/C blowing hot at idle on hot Louisiana days)
Service Air Bag light on DIC (not sure of solution yet)
Truck spins for 2-3 secs before starting after it sits a while...assuming low fuel pressure, I changed fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, and fuel pump relay (issue still exists...next is fuel filter (did that 10K mi ago), and buy a fuel pressure gauge) (not sure of solution yet)

 

[brianelton]

I did the "kick-the-kick-panel" trick yesterday about 3 times on my way home from work and sometimes after 1-5 kicks, the Service Air Bag System light went off temporarily. Could be coincidental, so I went ahead and pulled straight up on that driver door sill plastic, and pulled out on the kick panel to remove it, and there was the big yellow harness connector. I unplugged it, and plugged it back in 3 times. So far the light hasn't come back on for 2 trips which is the most it hasn't come on in 2 weeks, so that might have done the trick.

I didn't see any physical damage to the harness or connectors. Not sure what the unplug/plug in 3 times does for you - maybe it cleans off residue on the connectors? (I didn't see any residue, but whatever).

 

[gatorray]

Hmmmm...the kick works for me too, but what concerns me is that my horn doesn't work when pushing on the center of the steering wheel, but it works fine when locking the truck.

Does your horn work?  I ask because I didn't use it that much and don't know if it stopped working at around the same time as the airbag problem.  I will probably end up replacing the clockspring but I am putting it off since it is a 300 or 400 dollar part (I have steering wheel controls).

 

[brianelton]

I'll check this evening.

By the way...my Air Bag light came back on. I footed around on the big yellow connector and it didn't go out.

I wish I knew what goes wrong with this section of the harness...is it the connector? Is it the wire?

FYI...I did discover yesterday that you wont get any readings from a OBD scanner if the cig fuse is blown under the hood.

 

[brianelton]

I definitely have a bad clock spring. I tested by disconnecting the air bag harness under the driver dash (not the one by kick panel) when you do that there is a grounding clip that cause each pair of the connectors to ground to each other - creating a loop.

Next, I took the air bag off. Super easy to do.

Next I put a multimeter on each of the air bag pins - I had continuity on the first pair while turning the wheel from far right to left. Next, I tested the other pair - I had continuity until I started to turn right of center and it would lose continuity every time! This is what caused my service air bag light and the 044 code. I bent the connector back and forth hoping it was just a short in the connector but it wasn't. It must be shorted out in the clock spring ribbon cable. I finally found one from some junk yard up north, but there is a junk yard called "just chevy trucks" that told me they have lots of them with radio controls - I think he wanted like $125-$150

 

[brianelton]

2003 Chevrolet Avalanche Z66 Clockspring Clock Spring with Steering Wheel Controls Repair Replacement Installation Howto Procedure
Part number 26088118 is same as 26101829

I replaced the clockspring last week. Not a task for the impatient or the amateur DIY-er. If you don't have steering wheel controls, it's probably a lot simpler task, but with the steering wheel controls, there is a multitude of connectors that have to come out. There are two connectors that are difficult - the one by the steering column near brake pedal - requires swinging open a large locking arm - which is obstructed by the steering column and requires a bit of man-handling. The very last connector I got to was the most difficult - its on top of the ignition cylinder. There are two metal bars that cover it from the ignition cylinder and the switch also has a button that goes down into the cylinder - it looks land-locked and impossible to remove without breaking something - after studying it for a while, I finally figured it out - use your smallest flat head screwdriver, place it between the 2 metal tabs on the cylinder, and catch it on the plastic lever of the switch and push it toward the passenger seat, while pushed in, rotate the switch clockwise and tilt it out.

Do not try to remove the cables from under the dash. I tried, you cant do it.
Disable airbag, remove airbag, disconnect steering wheel control harness from steering wheel, remove steering wheel, remove steering column trim (snaps together, be patient, use only your hands), remove the adjustable steering column key by pulling straight out on it with force, remove the gauge bezel (put in 1st gear to get shifter out of way), then the knee bolster trim, then the steel knee bolster. Some of the connectors are hard to get to, but you can do it - one is on the brake pedal lever I think - you gotta pull out a green locking tab, then disconnect it. Oh, there is also a large connector right under the steering wheel - it has yellow paint on it - the only way to get it disconnected is to break the locking clip with the yellow paint on it - use a small screwdriver and brake the tab with the yellow paint on it - I ty-rapped the new one.

I bought a used clock spring from Terryville Auto for $90 to the door. It was properly removed from the donor vehicle, and was properly centered, and locked in place with wire. http://www.terryvilleauto.com/

 

[gatorray]

Wow...thank you for the detail.  I'm not sure if I really want to try to tackle that job, but I will use the headsup on the junk yard that has the clock spring with steering controls.  I'll pay my mechanic to install it just in case.

On another weird note...I replaced my head unit and rear camera a couple of weeks ago and have not had the airbag warning light come on at all.  I usually get it every time I drive.  I think I still need the clock spring since the horn only works when locking the truck.  I have tried to turn the wheel left/right while hitting the horn to see if that helps, but it doesn't. 

 

[brianelton]

I guarantee you that your horn doesn't work b/c it has lost the grounding connection at the steering wheel. You can determine this as the cause in less than 2 minutes - I promise.

Disable the air bag system - Remove the SIR fuse from the fuse block under the hood (or disconnect battery). Wait 15 minutes.
Look behind your steering wheel, on each side is a small hole. Get the largest allen wrench that will fit in the hole - or philips screwdriver. Push it in the hole, and pull on that side of the air bag, and then do the same on the other side. This will remove the air bag. (its held in by a plastic tab on each side, and you are just releasing the tabs.)
You will see 2 red wires. That's the ground for the horn. My guess is that the white connector is sticking up out of the hole. It has two crappy tabs on it that is supposed to hold it down in the hole. It probably popped out or the tabs broke. Push it down in the hole, then press down on the horn contacts (two metal bars - - 1 on each side. It will make sense once you see it.) - this will make the horn blow. 

Refer to picture below. The white housing goes into that hole inside the clock spring.

 

[gatorray]

Okay...I will attempt that this weekend.  I really appreciate the detail and pics for this.  I am sure this will help others as well.

I will report on my results.

 

[gatorray]

BINGO!!!  Your guarantee was spot on, brianelton.  You are da man.

I noticed that one of the clips on the side of that white ground connector was broken, so when I shoved it back in the hole and gave it a 1/4 twist, it locked into place.  Put the airbag back on and hooked up the battery and I have horn!

Thank you for the help!

 

[avalanchenewbie]

My airbag light just came one the other day, after returning from a trip to FL...  Any idea if GM will cover this under a TSB at no cost to me?  I have 78000 miles on my 05.  Warranty ran out already, hoping to not have to pay the stealership on this one....

 

[ltklein]

Something to try is to shift around in your seat.  I had an '05 that would turn on the service airbag light if I sat a certain way.  Specifically, after driving an Astro Van for 10 years, due to the wheel well, I drive with my left foot pulled back against the seat.  That takes a bit of pressure of my left thigh and the light comes on occasionally.  You might face the same thing if you sit with your seat a bit more forward than most.

Putting my foot out in front of me made it go out again in a few seconds.  Don't know if that would throw other codes or not, but if the TSB work doesn't fix it...or before you spend time and $$ on DIY, you might also look into the seat sensor.

 

[avalanchenewbie]

So it's not necessarily the airbag in the steering wheel that's causing the problem...  could be the one in the seat?

If so, that makes sense...  I've been having the "heated seat" problem since I got the AV, and the dealer can't figure out what the problem is on that, as it only happens to the driver's seat, and only after a rainstorm (when it's still humid out).

 

[dudunphy]

Just wanted to say thank you very much to GM Tech! This was the exact issue with my 03 Av. I pulled the connector out and put some battery terminal gel in each female, started her up and no more service airbag code since!

Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) Light ON, DTCs B0026 and/or B0044 (Inspect and/or Replace IP Harness to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Yellow 4-Way Connector C221) #05-09-41-001 - (Jan 19, 2005)


2003-2005 Cadillac Escalade Models

2003-2005 Chevrolet Full Size Pickup and Utility Models

2003-2005 Chevrolet Avalanche

2003-2005 GMC Full Size Pickup and Utility Models

Condition
Some customers may comment that the Service Air Bag Light is on.

Diagnosis with a scan tool may indicate a DTC B0026 and/or B0044 is set.

Cause
The most likely cause of a DTC B0026 and/or B0044 is improper connection/high resistance in the IP harness to inflatable restraint steering wheel module connector C221, located behind the driver's side hinge pillar panel.

Diagnostic Information

DTC B0026-stage 1 or B0044-stage 2 will set when one of the following conditions occur:


  ?  The SDM detects the steering wheel module deployment loop resistance is greater than 4.8 ohms for 500 milliseconds.  

  ?  The SDM detects that the voltage at steering wheel module high control is less than 2.4 volts and steering wheel module deployment loop resistance is 6 ohms or greater for 500 milliseconds.  

  ?  For additional diagnostic information, refer to DTC B0022, B0024, B0026, B0042, B0043, or B0044 (SI Document ID #847376).  

Correction
DO THIS
Don't Do This

Test for proper connection/high resistance at connector C221.
DO NOT replace SIR system components prior to testing for proper connection/high resistance in C221 for DTCs B0026 and/or B0044


Caution: When performing service on or near the SIR components or the SIR wiring, the SIR system must be disabled. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling Zones. Failure to observe the correct procedure could cause deployment of the SIR components, personal injury, or unnecessary SIR system repairs.

Important: The IP harness to inflatable restraint steering wheel module connector C221 is NOT located at the base of the steering column. The IP harness to inflatable restraint steering wheel module yellow 4-way connector C221 is located behind the driver's side hinge pillar panel.


Remove the drivers side door sill plate.
Remove the driver's side hinge pillar panel.
Locate the IP harness to inflatable restraint steering wheel module yellow 4-way connector C221.
Inspect the IP harness to inflatable restraint steering wheel module connector C221 for proper connection.
Disconnect and reconnect the IP harness to inflatable restraint steering wheel module connector C221 THREE times.
Clear the DTC and road test the vehicle.
  -  If DTCs B0026 and/or B0044 DO NOT reset, no additional repairs are necessary. Continue with step 10.  

  -  If DTCs B0026 and/or B0044 DO reset, the most likely cause is high resistance in the IP harness to inflatable restraint steering wheel module connector C221. Continue with the next step.  

Replace the IP harness to inflatable restraint steering wheel module connector C221, P/N's 15306186 and 15306363. Refer to SIR/SRS Wiring Repairs (SI Document ID #325229).
Road test the vehicle and confirm that the repair is complete.
  -  If DTCs B0026 and/or B0044 DO reset, refer to DTC B0022, B0024, B0026, B0042, B0043, or B0044 (SI Document ID #847376).  

  -  If DTCs B0026 and/or B0044 DO NOT reset, no additional repairs are necessary. Continue with the next step.  

Install the driver's side hinge pillar panel.
Install the driver's side door sill plate.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description
Qty

15306186
Connector (4-way Female, w/Leads)
1

15306363
Connector (4-way Male, w/Leads)
1


Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

N6624
Wiring And/Or Connector - Occupant Safety - Repair Or Replace
Use published labor operation time




GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer".  They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle.  Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely.  If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.  See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
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