Flashing Airbag Light After HU Install

bpd138 · 05-09-2009, 04:54 AM

I installed my Kenwood DNX-8120 yesterday and all I can say is WOW! This head unit is the balls. Using the knowledge I gained on this forum it installed very easily. I took plenty of pictures and will post them a little later.
I pretty much followed the advice of everyone here except one person and failing to do that bit me in the you know what! I forget who said it but heed the advice of re-connecting the airbag indicator before testing the head unit. Of course I neglected to do that and I ended up with the flashing AIR BAG icon on the dash. I drove it that evening and it didn't seem to affect anything but it is very annoying. If you are like me during the install you probably had/have wires everywhere. Rather than install the head unit in the dash and repalce the dash trim just so I could connect the air bag switch I opted to test my head unit on my lap. Reconnecting the air bag switch is awkward as there isn't much wiggle room.
Anyway the reason for this post is to tell you how to turn that iritating light off. The procedure below worked for me. Youn might have to do it a couple or three times befor eyou get the timing right. I would like to take credit for it but it was taken from another website.

****IIMPORTANT****
Turn the ignition off as soon as the airbag light goes out the first time.

If you have the airbag light blinking here is how to reset it:

1. Push the start button two times (Ignition on but engine not started).

2. Watch the airbag light closely. It will stay on for a few secs. and then as soon as it blinks off (the start of the flashing), turn the key off INSTANTLY.

3. Count to 5 (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi . . . .)

4. Repeat steps 1-3 two more times until you have done the cycle three times.

5. Now turn the key on and watch the light. It will start blinking in a different, slower manner. This is diagnostic mode. You can watch this for a little while, no hurry.

6. Now turn the key off again, Count to 5 like in step 3 again, and turn back on. If the procedure worked, the airbag light will not be flashing.

If it does not work the first time, just repeat the steps again.

david712370 · 05-09-2009, 08:28 PM

thanks man did the very same thing you did

kosmo09 · 06-10-2009, 12:53 AM

Man, thanks a lot! It worked for me.

KillerBee370 · 06-10-2009, 01:55 AM

Was the date of this posted info on that other site April 1st?

KillerBee370 · 06-11-2009, 08:41 PM

OMG... it worked!! My airbag light has been blinking for a week and driving me NUTZ! I did the method you laid out and it worked. I could have sworn it was some kind of joke or something.

Thanks! Rep point!

vater · 06-11-2009, 08:47 PM

did you get to try out the Pioneer HU that competes with the Kenwood
DNX-8120?

Mr_Z · 06-13-2009, 01:17 PM

It worked for me too... but you have to do step 2 very quickly!! Thanks!

travisjb · 06-15-2009, 08:45 PM

arghhh... mine is still flashing... let me recap to make sure i'm not screwing this up

1. press start/stop button twice to put it in pre-ignition mode
2. wait a short duration for solid airbag light to go dark, indicating it will soon flash
3. instantly press start/stop to turn off completely before it has a chance to flash
4. wait 5 full seconds
5. repeat steps 1-4
6. repeat steps 1-4
7. press start/stop twice
8. let it run through for a while now, should be in diagnostic mode and blinking more slowly than usual
9. press start/stop to turn it off
10. wait 5 full seconds
11. turn on, and good to go

Mine never gets to step 8!

KillerBee370 · 06-16-2009, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

arghhh... mine is still flashing... let me recap to make sure i'm not screwing this up

1. press start/stop button twice to put it in pre-ignition mode
2. wait a short duration for solid airbag light to go dark, indicating it will soon flash
3. instantly press start/stop to turn off completely before it has a chance to flash
4. wait 5 full seconds
5. repeat steps 1-4
6. repeat steps 1-4
7. press start/stop twice
8. let it run through for a while now, should be in diagnostic mode and blinking more slowly than usual
9. press start/stop to turn it off
10. wait 5 full seconds
11. turn on, and good to go

Mine never gets to step 8!

Sounds like you've got it understood alright! Mine worked the first time I did it.

QUICK NOTE: When you do this, you will lose any "chimes" associated with keys/doorlocks. For example, when I get out of the car with the engine running now, the car doesn't make those 3 annoying beeps (to let me know the keys are not in the vehicle). Same goes for the lock button next to the (door)handle. Pressing the "lock" button on the key fob still yields a "honk" however.

Just an FYI.

travisjb · 06-16-2009, 12:44 AM

Ok thanks, I'll keep trying... And I'm happy to lose the beeps/chimes

chanh55 · 08-24-2009, 01:05 AM

Thanks it worked!

drdre8424 · 08-27-2009, 06:39 AM

i took mine to the dealer, they wanted $50 to reset the lite.
$50 for 3 1/2 mins of work that involved pluging in a computer and pushing a button.
but the service guy didnt charge me, so it's cool.

Cjanik · 12-14-2009, 12:29 PM

Very nice, worked for me!

vipor · 12-14-2009, 12:30 PM

wewt

KingZee · 03-06-2010, 01:52 PM

this saved my life yesterday thanks.

05-09-2009, 04:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
bpd138 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 38 Drives: 370Z Auto W/Sport Rep Power: 16	Flashing Airbag Light After HU Install I installed my Kenwood DNX-8120 yesterday and all I can say is WOW! This head unit is the balls. Using the knowledge I gained on this forum it installed very easily. I took plenty of pictures and will post them a little later. I pretty much followed the advice of everyone here except one person and failing to do that bit me in the you know what! I forget who said it but heed the advice of re-connecting the airbag indicator before testing the head unit. Of course I neglected to do that and I ended up with the flashing AIR BAG icon on the dash. I drove it that evening and it didn't seem to affect anything but it is very annoying. If you are like me during the install you probably had/have wires everywhere. Rather than install the head unit in the dash and repalce the dash trim just so I could connect the air bag switch I opted to test my head unit on my lap. Reconnecting the air bag switch is awkward as there isn't much wiggle room. Anyway the reason for this post is to tell you how to turn that iritating light off. The procedure below worked for me. Youn might have to do it a couple or three times befor eyou get the timing right. I would like to take credit for it but it was taken from another website. **IIMPORTANT Turn the ignition off as soon as the airbag light goes out the first time. If you have the airbag light blinking here is how to reset it: 1. Push the start button two times (Ignition on but engine not started). 2. Watch the airbag light closely. It will stay on for a few secs. and then as soon as it blinks off (the start of the flashing), turn the key off INSTANTLY*. 3. Count to 5 (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi . . . .) 4. Repeat steps 1-3 two more times until you have done the cycle three times. 5. Now turn the key on and watch the light. It will start blinking in a different, slower manner. This is diagnostic mode. You can watch this for a little while, no hurry. 6. Now turn the key off again, Count to 5 like in step 3 again, and turn back on. If the procedure worked, the airbag light will not be flashing. If it does not work the first time, just repeat the steps again. OMGWTFBBQ, AH370Z, eastwest2300 and 25 others like this. Last edited by bpd138; 05-09-2009 at 05:05 AM.*

06-13-2009, 01:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mr_Z Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal Posts: 67 Drives: 2009 370Z PG-M6 Rep Power: 15	It worked for me too... but you have to do step 2 very quickly!! Thanks! __________________ 2005 350Z 35th - SilverStone 2009 370Z Touring/Sport - Platinum Grey Last edited by Mr_Z; 06-15-2009 at 09:15 AM.

06-15-2009, 08:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	arghhh... mine is still flashing... let me recap to make sure i'm not screwing this up 1. press start/stop button twice to put it in pre-ignition mode 2. wait a short duration for solid airbag light to go dark, indicating it will soon flash 3. instantly press start/stop to turn off completely before it has a chance to flash 4. wait 5 full seconds 5. repeat steps 1-4 6. repeat steps 1-4 7. press start/stop twice 8. let it run through for a while now, should be in diagnostic mode and blinking more slowly than usual 9. press start/stop to turn it off 10. wait 5 full seconds 11. turn on, and good to go Mine never gets to step 8! __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

06-16-2009, 12:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	Ok thanks, I'll keep trying... And I'm happy to lose the beeps/chimes __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

08-24-2009, 01:05 AM	#11 (permalink)
chanh55 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 56 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 15	Thanks it worked! __________________ \| Stillen Gen 3 Intake \| Stillen 304 Headers \| Stillen HFC \| Stillen CBE\| Nissan GTR Start Button \| Nissan Sport BBK \| Tein High Tech Lowering Springs \| \| Z1 Oil Cooler Kit \| Varrstoen ES 2.2.2 \| Continental Extreme Contact DWS \|

05-09-2009, 08:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
david712370 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: baltimore Posts: 104 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z PG M6 Rep Power: 16	thanks man did the very same thing you did

06-10-2009, 12:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
kosmo09 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NM Posts: 14 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z, M/T Rep Power: 16	Man, thanks a lot! It worked for me.

06-10-2009, 01:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
KillerBee370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So Cal baby! Age: 51 Posts: 5,964 Drives: with passion Rep Power: 321	Was the date of this posted info on that other site April 1st?

06-11-2009, 08:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
KillerBee370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So Cal baby! Age: 51 Posts: 5,964 Drives: with passion Rep Power: 321	OMG... it worked!! My airbag light has been blinking for a week and driving me NUTZ! I did the method you laid out and it worked. I could have sworn it was some kind of joke or something. Thanks! Rep point!

06-11-2009, 08:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
vater Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Age: 39 Posts: 67 Drives: 05 RSX-S Rep Power: 205	did you get to try out the Pioneer HU that competes with the Kenwood DNX-8120?

08-27-2009, 06:39 AM	#12 (permalink)
drdre8424 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: https://t.me/pump_upp Posts: 133 Drives: 09 Pearl 370z Auto Rep Power: 0	i took mine to the dealer, they wanted $50 to reset the lite. $50 for 3 1/2 mins of work that involved pluging in a computer and pushing a button. but the service guy didnt charge me, so it's cool.

12-14-2009, 12:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
Cjanik Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 578 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 16	Very nice, worked for me!

12-14-2009, 12:30 PM	#14 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 41 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 48	wewt __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

03-06-2010, 01:52 PM	#15 (permalink)
KingZee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Glendale, CA Age: 40 Posts: 2,612 Drives: Focus ST Rep Power: 423	this saved my life yesterday thanks.

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