Auto Airbag System Repair: 99 Voyager air bag light on, drb iii, plymouth voyager

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

On my 1999 Voyager - I thought I had a bad clockspring because AB light started coming on and staying on maybe 3 weeks ago. Before that it occasionally would come on anf go off - very intermittent. Cruise and horn are okay, but the intermittent wiper seems a little funky on occasion.

The dealer replaced the clockspring last week under recall, but the light stays on and tech said I need a new AB module.

Is there a way to clear the AB module and see if it resets, or find a code as to why the light is on (bad sensor, connector, etc?)

I see that www.myairbags.net can reset AB modules. Does this work or is it a scam?

I am afraid the dealer want to throw parts at it before troubleshooting the cause.  

Thanks, Ken
Year: 1999
Make (other): Plymouth Voyager
Model: 5 door
Engine: 3.3L
157K miles


ANSWER: Hi Ken:
the only way for the dealer to know the Airbag Control Unit is bad is to complete his diagnosis with the proper scan tool.  My guess is that the answer is true.  You can however replace that component with a good used one.  I have never used any of the 'reset companies' so I do not know their reliability or success rate.

For used parts...Try this site.  You may be able to find what you need.

www.car-part.com
It's the website all the salvage yards use when they say "Hang on--let me see if my other yard has it".  Actually it's an online database of all the salvage yards in America.  You can search by part, location or price

Good luck
Doug

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Doug,

Will a scan of the AB module show up a bad sensor (which could be a bad connection/connector) or a bad module, etc?

Where is the module located on the Voyager/Caravan?

Thanks,
Ken

Answer
With the proper scan tool (a DRB III, not the ones at Auto Zone) the codes for any bad component or circuit will be displayed.  So if you did have a bad connector or a bad sensor it would have popped a code as well & I'm sure you would have talked about that with the dealer then.
The Airbag control module is located under the dash behind the center lower console.  It is behind some heater ducts and framework, but not too hard to replace.

Good luck

Doug