Air Bag Code 27

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Sep 15, 2007 | 02:31 PM

sflem849

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From: SE Wisco

Air Bag Code 27

I have air bag code 27 and from what FTE taught means the light is burnt out on the switch. I searched old thread and they said solder an LED in place of the bulb. I did this and the LED would not come on. (I put the long leg to the outside as the package said this was the positive) So I reversed it...they were made in China...you never know until you try it.
So I plugged it in and...no light! and I am still getting code 27 on the dash. So I looked at the bulb I took out and thought maybe it is something else in the switch. No, there is one filament missing inside the bulb.
I read one guy on there is putting a resitor (sp) in the system, but I didnt understand where.
I am looking for any ideas on how to rectify the situation or what I may have done wrong.

Thanks and sorry for the long post. Scott

Sep 15, 2007 | 05:27 PM

sflem849

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From: SE Wisco

Update - I went to Radio Shack and got more LED's. I must have fried the first one bc I installed the second and it...didnt do anything! So then I turned it around and when I turned the key on it light up really bright. Then it dimmed down...now it wont turn on and the 27 code is still coming up! Needless to say it is getting really frustrating!

Sep 16, 2007 | 09:02 PM

sflem849

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From: SE Wisco

New thought, Do I need to get the codes cleared before this light will go away or will it just leave if I did the fix right? Could I have done the fix right and something bigger is wrong? I think I will head to the dealership tomorrow and see what they can do for me.

Sep 17, 2007 | 08:23 AM

Red Monkey

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I have the same problem, code 27. I too used the LED bulb "fix" and it didn't fix the problem. I tried several bulbs and still had the code/dash light. My programer has a code reader built in and I have never gotten a code for the air bag so it isn't a code problem. So, I have decided to just live with the dash light. It only blinks on start up so it isn't a BIG problem.
I'm afraid to do much polking around with the air bag wireing, I would hate to set off one of the air bags by mistake. If you find out how to correct the problem let us know.

Sep 17, 2007 | 11:19 AM

Roadkingjdl

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Normally an LED requires a current limiting resistor in series with it to keep in from burning out. Typically, LED current needs to be about 15 milliAmps for the best brightness without damaging the LED. Assuming the Air bag lamp voltage is 13.6 VDC and the LED will have a 2 VDC drop across it, we want 13.6 - 2 = 0.015 X Resistor value. So, 11.6 = 0.015 X Resistor value => resistance of 773 Ohms.
So, any 1/4 Watt resistor between 750 and 1000 Ohms will work and yield adequate LED brightness. You can solder the resistor onto either leg of the LED.

Let us know if you have more questions.

Jim

Sep 17, 2007 | 05:02 PM

sflem849

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From: SE Wisco

I must have been the only one who actually had a bad switch OR when I was soldering in the LED I messed something up ruined the switch. Well, two days and about $70 later the light is off! I suppose it was still cheaper then going to the stealership.