Ruth

Hi all. I'm new to the forum and hoping you can help. I have a 1998 Impreza. Earlier this week, the dashboard airbag light started staying on all the time. I brought it to the dealership today. I just got off the phone with the guy. He said they did not experience this problem -- the light turned off properly when they tried to test it. He said they can't figure out what is wrong unless the light stays on while they do the test. But then he says they found a "code 12" error in the computer's memory. I ask him what that means. He says, "it could mean lots of things, there is a long list of possibilities." I ask him what those possibilities are, but he obviously has no idea. (He's not the mechanic, just the desk service guy.) He basically says they checked all the obvious wiring and connections but they are all fine. So they want to just give the car back to me. I guess I am not sure what to do here. The light has been on all the time and honestly it seems risky to me to keep driving around. And I don't understand why they can get a diagnostic code but they can't follow up on what that means. Shouldn't they check everything a "code 12" could mean to rule out those problems? I googled "subaru airbag code 12" and some similar stuff but I can't find any information I can understand. The dealership refused to do any more testing, saying there was nothing more they can do unless the light stays on. Are they telling me the truth about that, or are they incompetent or lazy? Do you think it's dangerous for me to drive this car? When I start the thing up and see the light again should I take it back to them again? That is a PITA for me logistically, and they seem useless, but I do want functioning airbags . . . I can't take it to another dealership, because I live in Alaska and this is the only dealership within 400 miles. Please help!