Airbag light on, even when truck is off

[FJFourT]

Hello all.
Long time listener, first time caller.
I’m really hoping someone can shed some light on this issue, or point me in the right direction. I’ve read through many of the airbag posts, and even tried the reset, but I’m not convinced it’s the same issue, or there’s something else to this issue.

The short version is the airbag light is always on, even when I shut off the truck, though it does dim when the truck is off. I attached a photo from when I turned off the truck last night. It was dark which is why the light looks so bright (the light reflection is from a street light).

The longer version is that I purchased this 1996 80-series a year ago, used , and have been addressing lackluster maintenance as well as undoing/redoing what previous owners have poorly attempted. Last week I removed the aftermarket alarm system after it malfunctioned and left me stranded, again. I also installed LED bulbs in the gauges and installed a front/rear dashcam while I was in there. (I live in Guatemala and a camera is essential)

When I put everything back together last Friday the airbag light stayed on, along with the low fuel light (which I understand is because it’s an LED and I should change that back). I only noticed last night that the airbag light stayed on after I turned off the truck (low fuel light does not stay on). I don’t know if it has done that all week or if it started yesterday.

I spent about 20-30 minutes a few days ago trying the airbag reset from the diagnostic port but it didn’t work, or my timing/technique was off.

I suppose my questions are:
- Is there a reason why the light would/could stay on when the truck is off?
- Or might it have something to do with replacing that bulb with an LED and I should switch it back?
- Or should I keep trying the airbag light reset procedure?

Thank you in advance for any insight you can provide. Please let me know if you need any additional information.

 

[ajax1]

I would switch it back to normal bulb and see if that fixes it since that is when it started when you switched to leds. Or you created a short. More than likely it is the bulb

 

[FJFourT]

Thanks for the response. That's what I was thinking but was hoping I wouldn't have to tear into the dash again. I'll change it back and see what that does.

 

[western flyer]

Buenas... I have traveled around Guatemala a bit (mostly hitchhiked) and my buddy worked there for a couple years. I had some great cheese in La Antigua. Some of the nicest people I have ever met lived in Guatemala.

I am curious as to why you said "I live in Guatemala and a camera is essential." (I am hoping for a good story here). Saludos.

 

[FJFourT]

Buenas... I have traveled around Guatemala a bit (mostly hitchhiked) and my buddy worked there for a couple years. I had some great cheese in La Antigua. Some of the nicest people I have ever met lived in Guatemala.

I am curious as to why you said "I live in Guatemala and a camera is essential." (I am hoping for a good story here). Saludos.

Buen día.
I haven’t gotten the chance to switch out the bulbs but when I do I’ll report back to the group.

That’s awesome that you got the chance to travel through Guatemala. What year was that? It’s an amazing country. Beautiful landscapes and wonderful people. And only a 2.5 hour flight from the southern US.

I’ve lived in Antigua for 4.5 years and lived on Lake Atitlán for 1.5 years before that with my wife and youngest daughter. We also lived on the lake in grad school (2006) when my daughters were 3 and 9. They LOVED it. The oldest was living on her own when we moved back here but the youngest was 16. It was a tough transition for her but after a few months she made friends and hasn’t looked back.

My comment about needing cameras here is because in a car accident both parties are detained at the scene, and in the case of serious injury both parties are arrested, until fault can be determined. There’s a lot of nuance with this and a judge can sign over “responsibility” to another party to get you out of custody. So a camera is a great tool to prove innocence or fault.

We vaguely knew about this but experienced it a year ago when we were hit head on by an ambulance that lost control in the rain. We all went to the hospital and our friend who was driving was under arrest with a police officer outside her room at the hospital. A Guatemalan friend was able to get an order signed by a judge that made him responsible for the friend who was driving, ensuring that she wouldn’t flee (otherwise he would be sent to jail in her place). We did not have a camera in the car, but luckily there was a traffic camera that showed the ambulance sliding out of control. Without that it would have been her word against that of the ambulance driver, who said it was our fault, and they would have believed him. It took about 9 months to go through the court process and she couldn’t leave the country during that time. Now she is cleared and the ambulance driver was determined to be at fault. After that we have front/rear cameras in our cars and a helmet camera when riding motorcycles.

Well, that’s my story. If you return to Guatemala (or anyone reading this), send me a message and we can grab a drink.

Que tenga un buen día.

 

[FredZ]

Buen día.
I haven’t gotten the chance to switch out the bulbs but when I do I’ll report back to the group.

That’s awesome that you got the chance to travel through Guatemala. What year was that? It’s an amazing country. Beautiful landscapes and wonderful people. And only a 2.5 hour flight from the southern US.

I’ve lived in Antigua for 4.5 years and lived on Lake Atitlán for 1.5 years before that with my wife and youngest daughter. We also lived on the lake in grad school (2006) when my daughters were 3 and 9. They LOVED it. The oldest was living on her own when we moved back here but the youngest was 16. It was a tough transition for her but after a few months she made friends and hasn’t looked back.

My comment about needing cameras here is because in a car accident both parties are detained at the scene, and in the case of serious injury both parties are arrested, until fault can be determined. There’s a lot of nuance with this and a judge can sign over “responsibility” to another party to get you out of custody. So a camera is a great tool to prove innocence or fault.

We vaguely knew about this but experienced it a year ago when we were hit head on by an ambulance that lost control in the rain. We all went to the hospital and our friend who was driving was under arrest with a police officer outside her room at the hospital. A Guatemalan friend was able to get an order signed by a judge that made him responsible for the friend who was driving, ensuring that she wouldn’t flee (otherwise he would be sent to jail in her place). We did not have a camera in the car, but luckily there was a traffic camera that showed the ambulance sliding out of control. Without that it would have been her word against that of the ambulance driver, who said it was our fault, and they would have believed him. It took about 9 months to go through the court process and she couldn’t leave the country during that time. Now she is cleared and the ambulance driver was determined to be at fault. After that we have front/rear cameras in our cars and a helmet camera when riding motorcycles.

Well, that’s my story. If you return to Guatemala (or anyone reading this), send me a message and we can grab a drink.

Que tenga un buen día.

Thanks for the response. That's what I was thinking but was hoping I wouldn't have to tear into the dash again. I'll change it back and see what that does.

Hello
What was the final verdict? LED bulb not compatible or something else?
My 97 rig shows also shows airbag light ON but only when truck is on.

 

[FIDO96]

Hello
What was the final verdict? LED bulb not compatible or something else?
My 97 rig shows also shows airbag light ON but only when truck is on.

When I got my 97 the airbags light was on. The PO had a new steering wheel installed and it came on shortly thereafter. I found a method to reset the airbag using the Diagnostic port on the firewall. I found the sequence on Mud. I’ll see if I can recreate the search / link and follow-up. It’s pretty simply using two paper clips in certain ports and a series of ON ACC key turns.

Here is the link: FZJ80 Airbag Light - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/fzj80-airbag-light.427318/