Nissan Repair: nissan quest airbag light, clock spring, yellow wires

Question
Need to turn off airbag light.  Diagnostic says the comnputer is not providing codes is not communicating.  Airbag light came on while the car was being detailed, bags have never deployed. Is the airbag fuse in a special place? How do I tell which one it is so I can disconnect it as you recommended?  Where is the computer located?  I was already told the sensor and clock spring are in the steering column, but didn't see it.  I am lookig for yellow wires, right?  Thanks!!!

Answer
Michelle,

The airbag light being on means that the airbag computer has discovered a problem.  You need a Consult II to read the code and if you have been to Nissan and they are telling you the computer is not reading codes they need to go back to school.  If the airbag light is on it is due to a communications problem with one or more of the airbage and if yours has automatic retractors on the front seatbelts it could be one of them too.  Now, if you are saying that you could not shut off the airbag light with the proper computer due to an internal problem like some of the system getting wet from detailing it could cure itself given time and drying out.  You have to be careful around airbags as they can deploy and injure or kill you.  So, you disconnect the battery first and make sure there is no way for the terminals to reconnect.  Get a rag and rap it around the end of the terminal.  Then remove the airbag fuse and wait ten minutes for the capacitors to bleed off.  The airbag system has internal power to fire the airbags and this has to bleed off before you screw with it or you could get hurt or killed.  Now, look under the dash and you will see the yellow wires that lead to both front airbags.  Without a scanner to tell you what the problem is all we are doing here is resetting the airbag computer.  If memory serves me correctly it is located under the console towards the front.  But, again, without the codes you are in the bling on looking at or replacing parts.  You see, the car has a controller area network (CAN) that monitors the system and it should let you know what is going on.  If the scanner you are using does not interrogate the airbag system you need to have it done after you let everything bleed off and then reconnect the fuse and battery and see if it goes off.  Otherwise, get the codes checked by a Consult II or compatible code reader.