I've got a 98 outback wagon and the airbag dash light is on. I followed the instructions in the thread

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=117181&highlight=airbag+code

 

and got codes 22 and 3. What do these codes mean? Where should I look on how to fix this?

Does your cruise control and horn work?

Does your cruise control and horn work?

Horn works. I haven't tried cruise control in a while (mostly city driving), but we're headed out right now and I'll give it a shot.

Horn works. I haven't tried cruise control in a while (mostly city driving), but we're headed out right now and I'll give it a shot.

Cruise control works.

Then its something other than the clock spring.

 

Do you have a copy of the service manual? I'm not sure if the codes would be the same for the OBW and the L wagon (which mine is... same year) but it looks like it may be the passenger airbag module if they are...

type in those codes like on google or something "airbag code 23" or a few variations like that and let us know what you get. the code will tell you what the problem is.

 

was the car every wrecked/repaired?

As far as I know, the car was never wrecked/repaired. But we've only had it 1.5 years.

 

I do have a copy of the service manual. From that:

 

Code 3:

• Front sub sensor harness is faulty.
  
• Front sub sensor is faulty.
  

 

Code 22:

• Airbag main harness circuit is open.
  
• Passenger’s airbag module harness circuit is
  open.
  
• Airbag control module is faulty.
  

 

A bad connector seems highly plausible. We live in MN with salty roads, other problems on the car have been fixed by cleaning electrical connectors.

 

Does it seem sensible to start by looking at the connectors to the front sensors? Are those hard to get to?

wow. edit.

Edited April 17, 201115 yr by grossgary

the only SRS part i've ever had to replace on a non-wrecked vehicle was the sensor - so i'd bet there's a really good chance yours needs a new sensor.

 

i have two brand new Subaru front ABS sensors from 1997, we'll double check the part numbers to see if they work for you and will sell you one if you're interested.

 

I'm confused. ABS sensor? I thought this was a different thing from the airbag sensor.

 

On another note, the light has gone out on it's own. This makes me think that the flaky connection theory is probably right.

oh wow, flake out my bad. - you're right i'm completely off my rocker. ABS, not SRS. i'll edit that.

 

the front SRS sensors are not all that hard to find. they are attached on the front down below the bottom of the radiator-ish area. on some vehicles, like the 2003 Legacy wagon I have you can pop the hood and see the little yellow jokers bolted on down there. Air bag connectors are always bright yellow and easily identified that way.

 

The sensors are really easy to replace if it comes to that. I'd just get a used one, i've never heard of one failing.

 

Air bag connectors are really goofy, they don't make them easy to come apart, so take your time and inspect what you need to push, pull, depress all at the same time to remove them.

Edited April 17, 201115 yr by grossgary

the front SRS sensors are not all that hard to find. they are attached on the front down below the bottom of the radiator-ish area. on some vehicles, like the 2003 Legacy wagon I have you can pop the hood and see the little yellow jokers bolted on down there. Air bag connectors are always bright yellow and easily identified that way.

I found them. On my car (98 obw) they are not accessible from inside the engine compartment. They are attached to the frame inside of the front fenders. Access (theoretically) requires removing the front wheel and the forward mudguard.

 

At least, the right side of my car requires that. The mudguard on the left is so loose it can be pulled open by hand far enough to see the components. I'll start with that one, with a flashlight I can see quite a bit of rust on the sensor mount/casing. I haven't actually gotten in there yet.

 

Air bag connectors are really goofy, they don't make them easy to come apart, so take your time and inspect what you need to push, pull, depress all at the same time to remove them.

I won't have time to get to them until sometime later this week. I'll take my time and hopefully won't break any plastic bits.