98 Forester Airbag Light on - Code 12?

[lmdew]

Not much help in the FSM:  Any ideas?  Thanks, Larry

[forester2002s]

Long shot: Does the passenger seat-sensor enable the air-bag circuit? Check those connections under the seat?

[idosubaru]

Battery/alt voltage good? 

Any recent work or prior accidents around air bag stuff: steering wheel, front bumper/sensors or passengers side heater core or dash?

If it’s ever been in an accident or recent work check connectors in that area and front sensors. 

Horn and cruise work?  I’d suspect clock spring, they fail often, unsure how consistent 90s SRS codes are.  

“Airbag module (passenger)” - does that mean the passenger air bag? Can you tell by looking at the whole list of codes?

[lmdew]

Good battery voltage.

No prior accidents or work that I know of.

Cruise and horn work so I doubt it's the clock spring wiring.  

Thanks

[Stevo F]

On our old '98 Legacy GT, we pulled the same code (12 was a very generic code on older Subaru's). Out mechanic was able to pull some more info that indicate the clockspring (although everything else was working) and that took care of it.

[lmdew]

Thanks

 

[lmdew]

Well, I did as much as I could over the weekend.  Hard on the Christmas Holiday.  She's heading for Queens NY, so if any USMB members are out there and are willing to help please let me know.  The Forester is running well and I'm sure it will make it with no problems.  Future maintenance items:

- Valve cover gaskets

- Front and rear brakes, currently about 40% pad life left

- Cruise control is not working and Airbag litght is on.  Most likely the clock spring.  (Horn works)

- Clock on the overhead not working, most likely need to be re-soldered.

- Driver seat leather cover needs to be replaced.

- Windshield wipers have a lot of play, most likely one of the rod ends have broken off

- Rear Windshield wiper motor, the brushes are worn.  I pulled the motor apart and cleaned the communicator and brushes.  Who knows how long it will last.

All pretty easy stuff, I wish I knew of all the items and had more time with the Forester.

Edited December 27, 2022 by lmdew