Airbag light DIY or send it to the dealer?

[Doubeleive]

Well, the story keeps getting more interesting. According to the GM parts system, the sensor I need (25826417) was used in Tahoes only’07-‘08 and a most other GM full size in 2009.

What’s installed is 20793051 which is for full size GM 2009-2013. So someone’s done me the favor of swapping in newer seats. Which appear to be a matching set front and rear in great condition.

The ugly part is the seat wiring harness differs. The original sensor is a three wire connector and what’s in the truck has six. So I’m shopping for a complete passenger seat so I can compare them side by side to see if it’s physically possible to move the wiring harness and sensor from the 08 design and transplant them into the later model seats I have. If not, I’ll have to swap in a matching pair of complete seats of the correct generation.

I am willing to bet you can just swap the sensor in under the seat, used ones are only $35 on ebay, EDIT funny the description says it fits 2008
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Silverado-Yukon-Tahoe-Seat-Occupant-Airbag-Pressure-Sensor-Pad-3-Pin-20793051/323797144658?fits=Year:2008|Model:Tahoe&hash=item4b63d05452:g:NdoAAOSwUm5cF8yC

edit again the one I linked is a 3 pin connector, you must be mistaken on what is installed with the 6 pin I looked at several on ebay and they all had 3 pin
either that or the ones for $35 on ebay are listed with the wrong part number I see others that are the same number with 6 pin

 

[Bill 1960]

@Doubeleive I think you missed the part of my post where these are not 2008 seats. That’s my problem, someone has installed 2009+ seats in my 2008 vehicle. And the diagnostic module for SRS detects the incorrect part and throws a code.

I need 2008 seats or to transplant 08 parts into the newer seats, if that’s even feasible. At a minimum the sensor and the seat wiring harness from a 08. The later model seat the wiring harness for the seat assembly is different and uses a six pin sensor.

I have located several 2008 complete seats in the used market and confirmed the presence of the correct sensor in those seats. But I hate having to spend $1k or close to it on a pair of front seats, only to waste the nice ones I have. And then the front and rear will differ, unless I buy both sets! $$$

So I’ll put in a little time and money to scour the recycling yards and see if I can swap the harness, and if the 08 sensor will physically install in the 09+ seat.

 

[Doubeleive]

@Doubeleive I think you missed the part of my post where these are not 2008 seats. That’s my problem, someone has installed 2009+ seats in my 2008 vehicle. And the diagnostic module for SRS detects the incorrect part and throws a code.

I need 2008 seats or to transplant 08 parts into the newer seats, if that’s even feasible. At a minimum the sensor and the seat wiring harness from a 08. The later model seat the wiring harness for the seat assembly is different and uses a six pin sensor.

I have located several 2008 complete seats in the used market and confirmed the presence of the correct sensor in those seats. But I hate having to spend $1k or close to it on a pair of front seats, only to waste the nice ones I have. And then the front and rear will differ, unless I buy both sets! $$$

So I’ll put in a little time and money to scour the recycling yards and see if I can swap the harness, and if the 08 sensor will physically install in the 09+ seat.

yes the one I linked is a 3 pin connector which is what you said you needed, the sensor is basically a little bag of air when a person that is heavy enough is sitting in the seat it puts pressure on the switch which then makes the airbag active, when a child is sitting in the seat it may or may not turn on the airbag depends on the weight of the child.
if the bag will not fit then you may be able to cut the air sensor off of the hose and swap them, just be sure the hose is attached to the sensor airtight so it will not come off ever on it own anyway.

 

[calsdad]

Or something in between?

Here's the story: I bought this 2008 SSV last week, knowing it had a myriad of fault codes. I've gotten everything fixed and cleared up except the "service airbag system".

Option 1 (and what I would normally default to) is buy a Tech 2 scanner or similar and fix it myself.

The only reason I'm hesitant is a. zero experience working on this system; and b. not knowing if the system is just broken or if it's been tampered with. Case in point, a relative purchased another model Chevy used, only to find out later the driver's airbag had been removed and replaced with an incorrect part, and the perpetrator installed some resistors or some such to attempt to trick the computer into accepting the bogus part.
My SSV bounced around between auctions for a couple of years between when the cops retired it and I took ownership. Who knows what's been stripped off, stolen, or swapped in that time.

Given that with airbags, you don't get any practice runs to see if they work correctly or not, I'm leaning toward taking this to a dealer for a complete inspection and assessment of the airbag system.

Your thoughts or experience?

Thanks!

You don't need to have a Tech2 to diagnose the airbag system. On my 2003 Suburban 2500 I had a "Service airbag system" code that kept showing up - and I was able to track down the issue by using the AutoEnginuity OBD software to figure out exactly what was throwing the trouble codes. In my case it was two things: one of the crash sensors located on the front crossmember was acting up - so I just replaced both of them, and the module that was under the front seat was screwing up. The module under the front seat turned out to be corroded - because during the winter the jute backing under the rug was wicking up water - and then soaking the module. That happened twice to me so on the second go-around I cut away all the jute and put a waterproof cover over the module.

Honestly: If you can't find a "cheap" way of figuring out EXACTLY what is throwing the code - you could just start replacing parts one by one - starting with the sensors. The diagnosis tool/software will cost money too. There are a number of tools out there - besides a Tech2 , which should be able to give you a more detailed look into what is causing the issue. I know (for instance) - that Autel makes an ARS specific scanner. Not sure how much it costs though.

 

[Rocket Man]

You don't need to have a Tech2 to diagnose the airbag system. On my 2003 Suburban 2500 I had a "Service airbag system" code that kept showing up - and I was able to track down the issue by using the AutoEnginuity OBD software to figure out exactly what was throwing the trouble codes. In my case it was two things: one of the crash sensors located on the front crossmember was acting up - so I just replaced both of them, and the module that was under the front seat was screwing up. The module under the front seat turned out to be corroded - because during the winter the jute backing under the rug was wicking up water - and then soaking the module. That happened twice to me so on the second go-around I cut away all the jute and put a waterproof cover over the module.

Honestly: If you can't find a "cheap" way of figuring out EXACTLY what is throwing the code - you could just start replacing parts one by one - starting with the sensors. The diagnosis tool/software will cost money too. There are a number of tools out there - besides a Tech2 , which should be able to give you a more detailed look into what is causing the issue. I know (for instance) - that Autel makes an ARS specific scanner. Not sure how much it costs though.

A Tech2 can be had for $300 and is invaluable for diagnosing these vehicles. A single OEM front impact sensor is $150. You’ll save money in the long run buying a Tech2 and not throwing expensive parts at it.

 

[Bill 1960]

Job done, I got lucky and found a guy within 2 miles of my house who sold me a 2007 Silverado seat. Which didn’t match, but I harvested the sensor and passenger presence module, and the wiring harness for the seat.
Because the truck seat was not a power seat, I built a hybrid wiring harness for the seat using the seat motor wiring from the 2009+ seat and the SRS wiring harness from the 2007 seat.

What I learned: The 07-08 GMT 900 passenger presence sensors don’t interchange with other years of the GMT 900.
Also the seat bladder is filled with oil, not air.
Those SRS designers were pretty clever guys, all the components are networked together and testing constantly for the right parts and the right functionality.

 

[Rocket Man]

Job done, I got lucky and found a guy within 2 miles of my house who sold me a 2007 Silverado seat. Which didn’t match, but I harvested the sensor and passenger presence module, and the wiring harness for the seat.
Because the truck seat was not a power seat, I built a hybrid wiring harness for the seat using the seat motor wiring from the 2009+ seat and the SRS wiring harness from the 2007 seat.

What I learned: The 07-08 GMT 900 passenger presence sensors don’t interchange with other years of the GMT 900.
Also the seat bladder is filled with oil, not air.
Those SRS designers were pretty clever guys, all the components are networked together and testing constantly for the right parts and the right functionality.

View attachment 266288 View attachment 266289

Yep, they go through a self test every time the truck is started. Also, the airbags from this generation forward have redundant inflator circuits so just in case one fails the other will set off the bags. I found that out when working on mine. I had bought the Kent-Moore tool that simulates an airbag so I could disconnect each airbag and replace it with the tool to eliminate the airbag itself as the issue. I had to buy a second harness for it so it could emulate both circuits of an airbag.

 

[Bill 1960]

And another thing I learned: I’m going to remove the bolts securing the front crash sensors, replace them with new bolts if there’s any corrosion, and hose the area down with Fluid Film.

BEFORE they fail and cost me a bundle.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this thread!

 

[Tonyrodz]

Congrats on getting it figured out.

 

[BG1988]

like Jason stated the most common failure is the front impact sensors, they corrode from inside and swell and crack, you can sometimes see it visually by looking under the front bumper mount, otherwie a scanner will confirm the code. there not cheap around $100 each but not hard to do, just remove and replace.

you forgot to tell him to disconnect the battery wait 15min to de-energize the capacitors on the air bag system... you risk popping the air bags if you don't if there is some static electricity