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Originally Posted by AJ Carle
This information on how to re-set the air bag light is great - but one question. Does resetting the light mean the car (i.e. the air bag) is SAFE? Dealer wants $800+ from me to replace air bag control unit - but it is now not lit after $80 diagnostic test was run. If resetting is the only problem then this string will save some people on the diagnostic - but need to know the bag is in fact secure.
Thanks.
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yes, it is safe. The light only blinks when there is a problem. If, for some reason the light COULDN'T be reset, then you would maybe have a problem that could make the system unsafe. Because the light is staying off, it means you are in the clear.
The dealership and many other places will charge you an arm and a leg for that kind of stuff. It is very true, they will charge you 80 dollars to scan your ECU codes. For the mechanics, scanning the codes is about as easy as plugging in a USB device to your computer. They charge you 80 because they can. To scan the coeds on your own (without an OBD scanner) all you have to do is remove the ECU and turn a switch.
As for 800 for a new Air bag control unit, that is another dealership scam. They can get away with that because the average driver thinks it's a very complicated process and is willing to pay a fortune for their safety. In reality, they would most likely do the same process you see in this thread and if that failed, they can replace an airbag computer in about 10 minutes. The airbag 'brain' is located behind the e-brake, right under that storage bin.
The payoff is the fact that not everyone is interested in how their car works. People assume things are more complicated then they really are. To the average driver, the braking system is a very complicated system kept in delicate balance by precise mechanic skill. That's why someone will pay well into the hundreds for brakework, while I pay $30 for a set of pads and replace the rotors if necessary.