98 Impreza: intermittent airbag light

[Ruth]

Hi all. I'm new to the forum and hoping you can help.

 

I have a 1998 Impreza. Earlier this week, the dashboard airbag light started staying on all the time. I brought it to the dealership today.

 

I just got off the phone with the guy. He said they did not experience this problem -- the light turned off properly when they tried to test it. He said they can't figure out what is wrong unless the light stays on while they do the test. But then he says they found a "code 12" error in the computer's memory. I ask him what that means. He says, "it could mean lots of things, there is a long list of possibilities." I ask him what those possibilities are, but he obviously has no idea. (He's not the mechanic, just the desk service guy.) He basically says they checked all the obvious wiring and connections but they are all fine. So they want to just give the car back to me.

 

I guess I am not sure what to do here. The light has been on all the time and honestly it seems risky to me to keep driving around. And I don't understand why they can get a diagnostic code but they can't follow up on what that means. Shouldn't they check everything a "code 12" could mean to rule out those problems?

 

I googled "subaru airbag code 12" and some similar stuff but I can't find any information I can understand. The dealership refused to do any more testing, saying there was nothing more they can do unless the light stays on. Are they telling me the truth about that, or are they incompetent or lazy? Do you think it's dangerous for me to drive this car? When I start the thing up and see the light again should I take it back to them again? That is a PITA for me logistically, and they seem useless, but I do want functioning airbags . . . I can't take it to another dealership, because I live in Alaska and this is the only dealership within 400 miles. Please help!

[Dr. RX]

Well the first thing I would do is unplug the air bags, you certainly don't want them going off accidentally. By themself, they create enough damage that most insurance companies will total the car. Since your car is a 98, it would have OBDII, and I don't know of a code 12 for that system, before OBDII the code 12 would work, but the new codes are much more complex in the number format. Check out this link, http://www.rennacs.com/faq.htm it show an error 12 as a airflow meter ot circuit, which has nothing to do with airbags. Look on the link for the question, "What is on the CodeReader™ PRINTOUT?", it shows the code 12 as an example.

[Olnick]

Ruth--if I were you I'd try to find an independent shop and talk to them about the problem. Get recommendations from friends or coworkers. What part of Alaska are you in? There are several board members up there--maybe they have suggestions. Good luck and keep us posted.