I already know from previous threads that the 5 groups of 5 chimes refers to the airbag light bulb burned out. If I replace the bulb, which has been removed by someone previously, will that turn out the chimes but then the airbag light will be on indicating a problem correct? All I really want to do is eliminate the 5 chimes and not actually see the light. I guess I could get inside the cluster and block off the airbag symbol with some tape or by another means so light couldn't actually illuminate it
Is there a wire coming from the gem or going into it that could be snipped or pull a fuse that will accomplish this or. . I do not want to just remove the chime unit altogether as it has other functions I want to keep
I just want the five chimes to disappear and not see the light but keep the chime unit for its other warnings which are useful.
I'm sure this has come up before on the forum but from the searches I have not found the solution. But thankfully The replacement GEM fixed everything else with the wipers and all the other lights.

 

How about this?

Replace the bulb to get rid of the 5x5 chimes. Then read the flashed code from the light and post it to find out what's wrong with the Restraints System. The fix is sometimes simple and cheap.

Then you wouldn't have the chime or the light and your Restraints System would work again.

 

So you don't want to replace the burnt out bulb for the airbag warning because then the light would stay on since there is a problem with the airbag system that you dont want to fix, but you also don't want to listen to the chimes telling you the bulb is burnt out? Am I reading this right? Your basically asking how NOT to fix something?

 

Yes that's pretty much it unless it's something simple like the seat connectors ect. But those pretensioners and modules are pretty expensive. I just got this truck and don't even know if it has crash sensors anymore

 

I'm pretty sure the chimes go out if I just replace the bulb. Then the light will be on or flashing telling me there is a fault in the system that unless its just a simple connection I don't want to spend a fortune on parts that might not even fix the system. My new Actron 9860 which is supposed to read our 2002 Ranger airbags Doesn't. I may actualy fix this problem the right way down the road but I have to get this truck inspected and the inspector said the airbag system doesn't actualy have to work to pass inspection and I would like to just not see the light after I change the bulb IF in fact that's actualy all it takes to turn the chimes off.

 

I gotta agree with the post above mine... at least figure out what the problem is before resorting to disabling and ignoring safety features. It could be a simple fix.

but I mean if your dead set on this plan you could just shuve a proper sized resistor in place of the bulb to trick it into thinking there is a functional bulb there.

 

Well really I would like to see it fixed right. just right now there are many other things on the truck needed to pass inspection. I did get the abs fixed and the replacement GEM fixed a lot too, just this airbag problem right now. I will put the bulb in and see if it will actualy give codes or just stay illuminated

 

.Would you have an idea which resistor would work best if I go this route. I don't even know for sure it it's 12 volts going to those little bulbs or reduced by some means.

 

They are 12vdc like all the other bulbs on the truck. I wouldn't know exactly what resistor to use, just giving an idea. Resistors are basically just light bulbs that don't make any light. You'd have to figure out what the replacement bulb part number is then check the specs to figure out its resistance and then match those specs to figure out the resistor that would work. The whole idea of making an effort like this to hide a problem is pretty insane to me though lol. I understand the delema of not having money and just wanted to get the truck going but you could just replace the bulb and put a piece of tape over it if the blinking annoys you.

 

Yes, the chimes are there to tell you that bulb circuit is not currently functional. 99% probability that it is just a burned out bulb.

I read in another thread that you have a 2002. If so, it does not have separate crash sensors - they are contained inside the SRS Module itself, bolted on the trans tunnel under the cupholder console below the center stack.

The chimes may or may not be accompanied by another fault. All they tell you is that the SRS warning bulb circuit is not functioning properly.

If there is an additional SRS problem, it should display a repeated number combination indicated by flashes, each individual number separated by a pause. Count and post them or check a shop manual for decoding.

 

I installed the air bag bulb and it flashes a code 19 and from what I read says the module is full. If I remove the module will this turn off the chimes and the light or will it blow the bags or something else like disable the vehicle. I know you can send these modules off and get them cleared for like $100 but right now I just want to get this truck through Md. Inspection. The inspector tells me the only light on the dash they are concerned with is the ABS which I have already fixed with a new pump and module and all 3 sensors.
From what I have read it says there might be multiple codes other than the module is full code 19 and I might still have a problem not worth fixing right now as far as I'm concerned.
Is there a certain wire in the module plug that controls the chime function that could be cut without creating another problem? I just want to move on and get the rest of the truck ready for inspection {suspension, tires ect. } and deal with this later for now. I hate to just remove the chime device and do it another way if I can.

 

Is it code 17 or 19 ?

...17......B1878......Driver Pretensioner Circuit Shorted to Battery or Ign
...17......B1879......Driver Pretensioner Circuit Shorted to Ground

...19......B1231......RCM Crash Data Memory Full

 

I'm sorry it actually is code 19 memory full. I replaced the bulb and the chimes did go off but still have the blinking 19 code. I think for right now I'm just going to hide the light since sending these modules off to be cleared is pretty expensive just to find out you possibly have another expensive problem. I also am unplugging the airbags just to be safe from an accidental deployment.
Any other thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

 

You mentioned getting the truck through inspection... I don't know how it works in Maryland but here they run a complete diagnostic scan. Hiding then light and or chimes won't cover up the code when they scan it. Around here it would fail. You should double check how it works in your state.

 

I went into the inspection station here where I most likely will get it inspected and asked him personally about this issue. Another friend of mine had an older Toyota truck and his buddy {at another reputable station} which actualy did inspect his truck told him the same thing, only the ABS light is the one they don't want to see during the drive test. I agree, I thought in the beginning that the SRS would have to function too but according to these 2 inspectors ABS is all they're concerned about. Inspectors here in Maryland don't just sign things off anymore like they used to. The State Police have really been watching that for a good while now. I am going to try to figure a way to block the symbol from getting light to it tonight somehow. I agree the resistor seems like a good way to go. I don't want to just put something over the bulb though, most likely it will get too hot and burn out in no time. I do like the resistor idea best though.
The reason I don't want to actually fix the system right now is there are so many other issues I have to straighten out to get this thing through inspection. Most likely upper and lower ball joings and a leaking steering rack. I'm not too concerned about the mechanical end of things because I am a fair mechanic as far as that goes. I just don't want to spend a fortune on this one issue right now while there are many others that need fixed too. Possibly even head gaskets but I've done that job countless times. Really a nice truck looks wise but has a lot of issues but it runs and drives good.
If I had known about all this in the beginning I probably wouldn't have bought it but it was exactly the type I was looking for, even the color {white} and it has absolutely no rust or major body damage to speak of. Just enough little marks here and there to not worry so much about it getting dinged in parking lots ect.