Mazda Demio airbag light problem

[Rocket88]

Just bought a '99 Demio for colc senior, and a lovely little thing it is. Unfortunately, the airbag light is flashing [not on permanently] which is annoying, and Dad, who is convinced that everything Honest John writes is gospel, thinks it's a sign of impending ecu failure, cambelt snappage, and DMF failure [yes.........I know]

Any simple ways of extinguishing said light? [No MOT over here, so it can be disabled permanently]

[Guest]

You could take out the instrument cluster and remove the bulb.

[Rocket88]

In true Autoshite bodging tradition, I did think about drilling a hole straight through the perspex instrument pod cover, and then straight through the bulb, but I can see that resulting in a horrendous instrument melt down scenario

[Ross_K]

You wouldn't try reading error codes to find out the reason for the light being on?

 

Might be easier than taking the clocks out. Just sayin...

[Rocket88]

From what I can gather from ye olde internet, it seems that there's a problem with the airbag in the steering wheel. This makes sense, as I've also discovered that the indicators don't self cancel, so I wonder if someone has been cocking about. I think we'll have the wheel off and have a poke. I did read somewhere that some Jap stuff have some sort of spring gubbins fitted, which, after a certain period of time, fails.

[Ross_K]

Possible. Pugs and Citroens have the dreaded COM2000 (all stalks, horn, airbag, radio controls, cruise control in one unit) which fails disappointingly regularly.

 

If your indicators and airbag are knacked, maybe you have something similar?

 

edit. a quick google shows you probably have one of these airbag springs :

[Garbage]

My missus has an 05 Mazda 3 that has had a similar problem on a number of occasions. The car failed the NCT test here cos the light was on so brought it to the nearest Mazda dealer who, for 300 bills, was able to tell us it was caused by the wire for the airbag running under the driver's seat being disturbed by any repositioning of the seat that occurred. As my better half is 5"1 and I'm 5"9, repositioning the seat happens every week. "Would it be possible for you to refrain from moving the seat sir?", the service manager queried. "Fuck off" I said. It's been fine ever since.

[Rocket88]

Possible. Pugs and Citroens have the dreaded COM2000 (all stalks, horn, airbag, radio controls, cruise control in one unit) which fails disappointingly regularly.

 

If your indicators and airbag are knacked, maybe you have something similar?

 

edit. a quick google shows you probably have one of these airbag springs :

 

'Twas the thingy in the pic, [spring had gone]...........we took the bulb out.

[gtd2000]

Surely you should be able to source a cheap used clock spring at a breakers?

 

It'll help keep your old man safer in the event of trouble...no?

[Rocket88]

My Dad [78] has never had a car with an airbag. Chances of finding a Demio in our local "scapyard"...........nil, Everything is fragged the minute it goes through the gate [no space to store stuff]. As we have a 40 mph limit [30 in most places] I don't think it's much an issue, especially as his max speed is about 17 mph........