2008 TRIBECA

[lmdew]

Have a 2008 Tribeca 3.6L Limited, with Airbag light on all the time. Dealer says code 21 for faulty ECU (is what they called it) and wants around $ 875 to replace.

Was wondering

1) If anybody had experience with this issue and resolutions.

2) Where ECU might be located because I cannot find it in Subaru Parts diagrams. (does not list ECU period)

3) Can I get code or not with OBD scanner tool to verify.

 

Any ideas, suggestions, tips etc....greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance !!!

Edited September 6, 2017 by lmdew

[wtdash]

Hi Larry,

Just to confirm...do the horn and Cruise work? If not...then it's the likely the clockspring.

GL,

TD

[golucky66]

Manufacture error code 21 related to airbag is for a faulty air bag module.

 

Just looked up test procedure. And it literally says "is DTC 21 set?" Yes? "replace air bag module"

 

Like. What...? What kind of trouble tree is that?

 

Anyways... I don't really know how to help you there.

 

But no a general OBD2 scanner will not be able to read air bag codes. The only way to get air bag codes is to have a scan tool that can emulate the Subaru software and get into the airbag module directly. A generic OBD2 only scan tool can only read OBD codes from the ECM.

 

Now of said scanner has an option to enter vehicle info (i.e. 08 Subaru Tribeca) then your chances are slightly higher. But in my experience, airbag modules are one of the hardest to find an aftermarket scanner that will communicate.

 

I believe the airbag module is under the radio in the center of the dash. Either that or almost right under the shift selector.

[golucky66]

Just looked up locate to confirm. It does appear its in the general vicinity of the radio (under it of course)

 

Also,i did a quick search on alldata community, identifix, and iatn for DTC 21 (air bag) and no one has posted anything about this issue.

 

I'd suggest if you can get your hands on a scanner that can communicate with the airbag module, to clear the code. And go from there.

 

If DTC 21 comes right back..yeah, I'd say its the module, as per trouble tree.

If it doesn't come back. Good. Intermittent fault.

Edited September 6, 2017 by golucky66

[Mike104]

I had a similar code on my 03 Forester.  I put in a used one from same MY Forester from the pull and pay and it resolved the issue.  I'm not sure if the 08 models had any funky stuff like a Body Integrated Unit that talks to the other modules?

 

Mine was under the center instrument panel, below the radio.