Hi Everyone

My 97' Impreza has the airbag light on.  The cruise and the horn are still operational.  I flashed the code old school by grounding the black connector under the dash and got back a 12.  Airbag control module circuit open.

Is this as straight forward as I need to replace the module under the center console?  My only airbag experience has been changing the clock spring a few times with ones from a salvage yard.

Thanks!

I'm dealing with the same issue with my '98 Legacy GT (you may see my topic posted earlier today).  Unfortunately our cars didn't give very detailed error codes and 12 is pretty general. When this issue first popped up last summer, I focused on the plug under the drivers seat that connects the driver's seat belt to the SRS airbag system. I unpligged and replugged it a few times and the problem went away. It returned yesterday and I am focusing on that plug as the problem again. I plan to clean with electrical cleaner and replug a few times. If that doesn't work, I may replaced the plug itself (it's only 2 wires) with something similar and see what that does.

But definitely check the plug first as it is semi exposed to the driver's feet and stuff rolling under the seat so it is the most susceptible to being loosened. 

I also recently had an airbag light on our 2003 Forester and I found my wife left a water bottle rolling around under there. I made sure the plug was dry, plugged it back in and the airbag light is now going off.

 

Thanks for the reply.  On the 97, there are no airbag connectors under the front seats.  Perhaps that changed in '98 but I have two 97's and neither has that integration into the seat belt. 

23 hours ago, palfer said:

Thanks for the reply.  On the 97, there are no airbag connectors under the front seats.  Perhaps that changed in '98 but I have two 97's and neither has that integration into the seat belt. 

Got you. I replaced the plug on mine but it still has the airbag light so I'm still searching for a way diagnose it too.