# Air bag light - 1998 chevy astro

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-light-1998-chevy-astro/81558>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** astro, chevrolet\
**Created:** [September 28, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-light-1998-chevy-astro/81558 "2013-09-28T22:50:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![VanGuy89](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ba9def/32.png) [@VanGuy89](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VanGuy89)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-light-1998-chevy-astro/81558/1 "2013-09-28T22:50:12Z")

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The air bag warning light is often, but not always, ON in my 1998 Chevy Astro. Unfortunately, it is ON whenever I seem to have a chance to bring it in for state inspection. My mechanic of many years has been unable to determine the cause. Any ideas from the community? (Note: An earlier problem with the battery draining was taken care of by turning the Dome Light button to the Off position and leaving it there permanently.)

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**Author:** ![oldbodyman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbce88/32.png) [@oldbodyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldbodyman)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 4:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-light-1998-chevy-astro/81558/2 "2013-09-29T04:01:48Z")

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You need to take it to someone works on just air bags. Do not work on it yourself, this is a job for a pro only.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 4:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-light-1998-chevy-astro/81558/3 "2013-09-29T04:42:51Z")

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Agree with the above post. Not something the owner should attempt. It is probably something simple and inexpensive, like a corroded connector or ground connection. I expect it will turn out to be a connection in the steering wheel somewhere that has become intermittent, as those connections get flexed every time the steering wheel is turned.

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 5:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-light-1998-chevy-astro/81558/4 "2013-09-29T05:46:20Z")

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@VanGuy89

You need to take it to a shop that has an OEM-level scan tool which will communicate with GM airbag control modules

Once you have the code, you may also need a factory service manual, which will have a trouble tree and schematics

In other words, time to go to the shop.

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**Author:** ![meanjoe75fan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/meanjoe75fan/32/552_2.png) [@meanjoe75fan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meanjoe75fan)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2013, 8:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-light-1998-chevy-astro/81558/5 "2013-09-29T08:38:37Z")

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What state, and are you sure your state requires them for the safety inspection? (As in, can you cite the § of the State Motor Vehicle Code, as opposed to your mechanic’s assertion.)

I thought owners had a fair amount of discretion re: disabling or removing their own airbags (as opposed to doing it professionally.) It’s at least possible your state won’t pass you with a malfunctioning airbag, but will pass you with one deliberately rendered inoperative.