Blinking Seatbelt Light? Let's Get That Taken Care Of!

[Soul Shinobi]

Alright, after more than enough searching, I've decided that there was not enough information in one place on Legacy Central to help me--and clearly a couple of other people--solve the issues with their seatbelt systems.

So, you've got a blinking seatbelt light. Me too, what a bitch huh? Well, let's read the codes from the seatbelt computer. 'Seatbelt computer you say? Sounds absurd.' Yes, seatbelt computer, welcome to the future, kid. Actually this kind of thing is common on modern cars, and is most often integrated into the ECU on newer cars.

Anyway, scans from the service manual on how to check the codes are here:

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... tdiag1.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... tdiag2.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... tdiag3.jpg

Absorbed that? Confused? Me too. 'What?' Never mind. I couldn't find the test connector either (Update 4/19/09 I think the connector is the two pin connector right next to the radio connectors, you have to take the radio out.). If you do find the black test connector under the dash, connect pin terminal 2 to the local ground connector, or ground it anywhere. Turn the ignition key on, but don't start the engine, and the seatbelt light will blink a sort of Morse code as described. However, I found an easier way if you can't find the test connector (like I couldn't; fuck that thing, I spent like a whole hour looking for it); hell, I bet you it's easier even if you do know how to get to that connector.

Instead of using using the test connector, I used the wiring diagrams to trace the test connector terminal 2 wire right to the seatbelt computer itself, which is very easy to access in the trunk (that's in my sedan, I don't know how easy it is in the wagon to remove the trim covering it).

Wiring Diagrams: (You don't need to look at these yet, they're just for reference)
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... _diag1.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... _diag2.jpg

Computer Location: (Fig. 68-1 and 69-1)
http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/fil ... tion06.jpg

Mmmph... Mm, this cheese and crackers ... so good. Mmnnn--Okay, so! The trick here is to find the little red wire with the blue stripe that goes to the smaller of the two connectors (only 7 wires go to this connector, 6 are bigger than the one you're looking for) on the computer. When the connector's plugged in, back probe (ex. stick a folded out paperclip in behind) that wire, and connect that to ground (anywhere on bare metal on the car that's touching the car's whole chassis). Instead of finding ground on the chassis, I connected the paperclip to one of the ground terminals on a connector for the tails lights that was right there--do not try this yourself unless you first check continuity to ground from the supposed ground terminal using a multimeter, or else you could potentially fry the seatbelt computer.

Alright, you've got the codes. They tell you what's not working well. Door latch switch? Limit switch? Ignition switch? Okay, we know they're messed up, but how do we find them? Connector Locations. These are of utmost value.

Go to the wiring diagrams, next to every single connector is a letter and number in a circle. This is the name of that connector. Take for example the diagnostic connector on the second page, that's B91. On the first page of the wiring diagram there's a collection of connector pin locations at the bottom, find the circled "B91." Notice next to it, the connector color is mentioned. Below B91 is two connectors, one has 4 terminals, and one has 6 with "A/B model" below; this is for the Automatic Belt models, which applies to the US market first generation Legacies with our automatic seatbelts in front.

Let's get to the good bits: how to find the actual connector locations. First you need a service manual. COPY the link below and paste it in your browser address bar (I couldn't get it to work as a proper link).

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... and_Elect/
If that doesn't work then go here:

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... ual_scans/

Click "1992_FSM_(Engine_&_Electrical)" then download "1992_Subaru_Service_Manual-Engine_&_Wiring.zip" (right-click > Save As...).


It's not complete, but it's better than nothing. Alright, skip to page 329, that's where the connector locations begin. Scroll down to page 334. Oh look, it's connector B91! The little bastard! He's tucked away good under the dash there. Even with this diagram I couldn't find the damn thing. But whatever, I've illustrated my point; how to use connector numbers and views.


Alright kids, that's enough for today.



Now someone needs to explain to us what the hell a limit switch is and where we can find them. I'm pretty sure they're the black boxes at each end of each track for the automatic seatbelts, but I find it confusing as to which is which, and I can't figure out how to remove them.

EDIT: All of the files referenced can be downloaded in a backup .zip file here: http://www.mediafire.com/?h4mhjk4ydmj

[kimokalihi]

Nice write up!

[machgirl]

Great write up, wish I could understand it better. Am not great with wiring, and I need to get this fixed in my subie its driving me nutso.

[machgirl]

The links dont seem to be working for me BAH.

[Soul Shinobi]

They seem to work on my end, but they go slow, they're big pictures. Try instead to save them manually by right-clicking on a link then selecting "Save As..." or "Save Link As..." or "Save Target As..." It will say one of these three things depending on your internet browser. Trying to save the images directly to your hard drive may work, and you could print them more easily that way too.

[Legacy777]

All the links are good, (they're my files). Do both the experiencetherave & surrealmirage links not work?

[Soul Shinobi]

Update

I found the test connector, I think it's the two pin connector right next to the radio connectors, you have to take the radio out. You may still find the method I described above to be easier.

[beanis05]

so here is my dilema
i drive my car park it with the seatbelts in forward position get out and leave come back close doors seatbelts dont go back i pulled codes first i was getting a 32 ignition switch is on with battery power left off got didnt do one singel thing besides rolling back the seatbelts at home and now i get a code 31 ignition switch is on with key warning switch left off soooooooooooooo i have no clue wtf happened but im going to try to get to the bottom of this is there anybody out there that ran into this problem

[Soul Shinobi]

That may indicate that there is something wrong with your ignition switch. It sounds like the computer is having trouble with the switch that indicates that the key is in the ignition, and the switch that indicates that the key is turned to on. Sounds like you may have a failing ignition switch, which sucks. This can sometimes be caused by having heavy objects on your key chain. Has the car had any other problems?

I'm not entirely sure though, that's just my interpretation of the code description. Does anyone know for sure?

[beanis05]

i only have 3 keys on my key chain but wouldnt that include a problem in starting the car i think something got unplugged and the seatbelt computer is not recognicing it before i had the car the previous owenr disconected the beeper when you first put the key in ignition and everything worked fine
i got a couple used seatbelt computer modules but i still have the same sumptoms so i am most certain this is a hard fault with some wires disconected because there are no seatbelt fuses
i got a 57 page alldata printout with some more wiring diagrams so ill probably figure it out and hopefully i will move that goddam computer somwhere closer to the seatbelts instead of the trunk

[beanis05]

but i will check the ignition switch and see what the deal with that harness is because after i hook up the two wires for the bepper to go on i only get a code 32

[Soul Shinobi]

If the previous owner disconnected the connector for the key warning switch to try and stop the beeping that would certainly cause code 31, and maybe 32 if they're on the same connector. Use the method I described in the original post to find the connector locations and check it out for sure.

You need to work on your grammar by the way, you're difficult to understand. And don't make an excuse like "...But I type so slow," because you're not going to get faster at it by half-assing it.

[beanis05]

lol my grammar is bad i know there is no excuse for not looking at the screen when i type my bad for that one

but i found the connector underneath the steering wheel there was a wire spliced into it which i snipped but didnt remove the part itself

here is the kicker i connect it right to the igintion switch wire connector beeper works key warning works but the damm belts dont this is becoming such a pain in the ass that i took out the controller from the trunk and have it in my back seat bc im just lazy and dont like walking in and out of the car just to switch a t pin what i did get is the printout of the voltages which i chould have on each terminal of the controller and that is my next attempt on fixing this pos

[beanis05]

so here is what the problem was the 15 amp fuse kept on frying becasue the ignition switch sensor wire was shorting out right by the ignition switch i guess the previous owner screwed in something to the suround plastic of the igintion switch and that is where the problem was even tho everything i tested was pointing to the module and after getting about 5 of them and noticing that it was not the problem i knew it was something else better than a computer more fun to find but the quick fix of soldering the wire and putting some shrink wrap fixed the problem no more seatbelt light but the buzzer is getting annoying i guess im going to have to get used to it

[Soul Shinobi]

Good to see you diagnosed and fixed all that. When is it the buzzer sounds?

[Mattheww044]

all of the links are broken

[Soul Shinobi]

All the links are good, (they're my files). Do both the experiencetherave & surrealmirage links not work?

Alright Josh, looks like you've got some susplainin to do, yours don't work anymore.

The surrealmirage link does still work.

EDIT: I'm working a temporary work around, check back in a bit.

EDIT2: All of the files referenced can be downloaded in a .zip file here: http://www.mediafire.com/?h4mhjk4ydmj

[Legacy777]

Links should be good.

You still can't access them?

[Soul Shinobi]

They work now, didn't before.

[Legacy777]

I had the www service off for a little while today....

[beanis05]

Good to see you diagnosed and fixed all that. When is it the buzzer sounds?

buzzer sounds everytime you open the door its sooooooo annoying but im sure you noticed it