Airbag switch.....need some help

So the previous owner of my truck installed a fm modulator for iPod. He took the passenger airbag switch out and put in a on/off switch for the modulator. I do not have the airbag switch but the wires/plug that use to go to the airbag switch is there. I need to get the passenger airbag working again because right now it is off all the time. I have thought about cutting the plug and using the on/off switch that was controlling the modulator but when I try to jump the two wires in the plug it does not turn the airbag on? Shouldn't connecting the two wires turn the airbag on? Need some help if anyone knows a direction for me to go here. Thanks

 

I think it has to be closed and a weight in the seat before it turns on.

 

I tried to seat in seat and jump the two wires. Does the oem switch have something special?

 

Only the single and access cabs have the on/off switch for the passengers side airbag. Doublecabs use only the weight switch in the seat, you cannot disable the passenger's airbag. The wire is present though, normally it clips to the back of the blank panel, and open circuit is normal / on

 

^^^true info^^^

To add, the airbag will be inactive unless you have sufficient weight in the seat to activate the system, somewhere around ~85lbs

 

Great info guys. What is the wire pictured here?

 

The wire pictured is for the on/off switch, but as previously stated, those only come in the single and access cab models, not the double cabs.

 

So there was no switch when it came stock? The wire is just there for know reason? Not that I don't believe it but that seems strange.
So if my passenger airbag is not ever turning on when someone is sitting in the seat I have a bad sensor? I presume this is what you are telling me and I am doomed to the stealer/dealer. Dam I hope not

 

Yes, the wire is there for no reason from stock. Why make multiple harnesses just for 1 plug being unused?


As for your question, there could be 1 of 3 likely issues with the system.
1ST: the Occupant detection ECU which is under the seat might be bad.
2ND: it could just need to be recalibrated.
3RD: the seatbelt buckle may have a problem if its not detecting that the seat belt is engaged.


Hopefully this helps a bit.

 

Very helpful.....thank you and have a great New Years Eve!

 

Glad to help, keep us posted what you find.

 

Can I assume you've had a passenger in the seat while you are driving, and the airbag "ON" light below the radio doesn't light up? If that is the case, have a look at the wiring under the passengers seat to ensure its connected. If so, you'll need some diagnosis done, no need for it to be the dealer though, a good scanner like the Snap-on Solus, etc, will suffice, if you can find an independant shop thats well equipped.

Edit, damn, I type slow...

 

My '08 RC is by weight and seatbelt only, no switch.

 

Yes I have had passenger in vehicle while driving with seatbelt on and airbag still reads off by clock and I have an airbag signal on the dash.

 

There is an active airbag code if the light in the dash cluster is on, should help make diagnosis easier. There is a way you can read "blink codes" by jumping two pins in the OBD2 connector and counting the flashes on the malfunction light.

 

Interesting. I suppose you could not transport an infant in a rear facing seat then? (It would be terribly inconvenient at best, of course)

 

Technically he could because it is not likely it would surpass the weight needed to turn on the airbag.

 

DC kiddos in the back. With airbag not on in the front I think legally I could though?

 

With yours possibly malfunctioning, no bets on whether or not that bag will fire.

With mine, the sensors work properly. With a person in the passenger seat, the clock display says "Airbag On". With the seat empty or lightly loaded and the seatbelt fastened, it says "Airbag Off". With the seatbelt unfastened, it just says "Airbag"