Welded on the car, broke a bunch of electrical stuff...

SomeoneWhoIsntMe · 10-01-2009, 11:58 PM

So, I had to throw some TIG on a weld nut that started spinning in the subframe, and even though I unhooked the negative terminal on the car before I started welding, when I turned it on the airbag light came on and the horn no longer works.

My friend checked the fuses, and they seemed intact. Any ideas on how I should diagnose what the problem is?

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Lunes · 10-02-2009, 12:16 AM

My first guess would be check to make sure you didn't just affect a ground somewhere near the front bumper/radiator support when you were under there welding... air bag sensors and horn are usually dependent on grounds, I know both my 97 Impreza and one 90 Legacy have both had issues with disconnected body grounds. (its easy to unplug/disconnect stuff, or mess up a sketchy connection when moving stuff and welding too...) check that first, after that, good luck.

SomeoneWhoIsntMe · 10-02-2009, 12:28 AM

Hm... I pulled the steering rack and put it back in a couple times, since this whole thing started with a steering rack bushing install from hell, so that's definitely a possibility.

However, I know the horns are grounded straight through their brackets, and I just used that ground to install some other stuff today, so I know their ground still should be good. I may poke around with a multimeter tomorrow, and see what I can see.

Lunes · 10-02-2009, 12:36 AM

The steering rack is not near any of the grounds I had trouble with on my 97, so I don't think that would affect the airbag either, but you never know where the connections are made without a bit of luck or a LOT of knowledge... but check every possible bolt, metal to metal contact, etc...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeoneWhoIsntMe

Hm... I pulled the steering rack and put it back in a couple times, since this whole thing started with a steering rack bushing install from hell, so that's definitely a possibility.

However, I know the horns are grounded straight through their brackets, and I just used that ground to install some other stuff today, so I know their ground still should be good. I may poke around with a multimeter tomorrow, and see what I can see.

Uncle Scotty · 10-02-2009, 01:36 AM

subarus use a switched negative system which is a bit different than most.....

Mulder · 10-02-2009, 07:26 AM

When you had the rack out, did you turn the steering wheel? If you did the clockspring/roll connector was destroyed, and that would explain the two symptoms (airbag light and no horn). It is not an electrical issue.
Getting the airbag code read will confirm where the problem is, but most likely it will point to that circuit.

garface · 10-02-2009, 08:57 AM

I would vote on roll connector as well if I just heard the symptoms. I don't think it had anything to do with welding though. I think I have an RS roll connector if you want it, but not sure if it fits and 02 properly.

SomeoneWhoIsntMe · 10-02-2009, 04:05 PM

Yeah, I did turn the wheel, so that makes a lot of sense. If that's all that it is, that's fantastic.

Uncle Scotty · 10-03-2009, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeoneWhoIsntMe

Yeah, I did turn the wheel, so that makes a lot of sense. If that's all that it is, that's fantastic.

until ya realize that it cost ~$200

SomeoneWhoIsntMe · 10-03-2009, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Scotty

until ya realize that it cost ~$200

**** me, do they hand forge it from unobtainum and overnight it from japan?

Uncle Scotty · 10-03-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeoneWhoIsntMe

**** me, do they hand forge it from unobtainum and overnight it from japan?

nah...its just aintgotanyum, and it controls a lot of important junk

garface · 10-03-2009, 02:55 PM

I checked two dealers at some point and one wanted $280, the other like $319. Sucks.

garface · 10-03-2009, 03:03 PM

http://www.subaruparts.com/cart/?pn=83116AE010

Try that if you want a new one. $230 shipped, not too bad.

crpwrx · 11-02-2009, 03:18 AM

You are supposed to hang chains from the frame to the ground to well... ground it out, when you weld like that.

ncarn8 · 11-06-2009, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crpwrx

You are supposed to hang chains from the frame to the ground to well... ground it out, when you weld like that.

are you serious

10-01-2009, 11:58 PM	#1
SomeoneWhoIsntMe Scooby Newbie Member#: 160814 Join Date: Oct 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Waterford, MI Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon PSM	Welded on the car, broke a bunch of electrical stuff... So, I had to throw some TIG on a weld nut that started spinning in the subframe, and even though I unhooked the negative terminal on the car before I started welding, when I turned it on the airbag light came on and the horn no longer works. My friend checked the fuses, and they seemed intact. Any ideas on how I should diagnose what the problem is? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-02-2009, 12:16 AM	#2
Lunes Scooby Newbie Member#: 143959 Join Date: Mar 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Michigan Vehicle: 1997 Impreza Soon to be Silver	My first guess would be check to make sure you didn't just affect a ground somewhere near the front bumper/radiator support when you were under there welding... air bag sensors and horn are usually dependent on grounds, I know both my 97 Impreza and one 90 Legacy have both had issues with disconnected body grounds. (its easy to unplug/disconnect stuff, or mess up a sketchy connection when moving stuff and welding too...) check that first, after that, good luck.

10-02-2009, 12:28 AM	#3
SomeoneWhoIsntMe Scooby Newbie Member#: 160814 Join Date: Oct 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Waterford, MI Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon PSM	Hm... I pulled the steering rack and put it back in a couple times, since this whole thing started with a steering rack bushing install from hell, so that's definitely a possibility. However, I know the horns are grounded straight through their brackets, and I just used that ground to install some other stuff today, so I know their ground still should be good. I may poke around with a multimeter tomorrow, and see what I can see.

10-02-2009, 01:36 AM	#5
Uncle Scotty Scooby Guru Member#: 16200 Join Date: Mar 2002 Vehicle: bah straw and coal straw and coal as always	subarus use a switched negative system which is a bit different than most.....

10-02-2009, 07:26 AM	#6
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 WRX 05 GTO	When you had the rack out, did you turn the steering wheel? If you did the clockspring/roll connector was destroyed, and that would explain the two symptoms (airbag light and no horn). It is not an electrical issue. Getting the airbag code read will confirm where the problem is, but most likely it will point to that circuit.

10-02-2009, 08:57 AM	#7
garface Scooby Guru Member#: 1581 Join Date: Jun 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: yonkers, ny Vehicle: MY00 RS/STi7 MY01 RS Both Silverthorne	I would vote on roll connector as well if I just heard the symptoms. I don't think it had anything to do with welding though. I think I have an RS roll connector if you want it, but not sure if it fits and 02 properly.

10-02-2009, 04:05 PM	#8
SomeoneWhoIsntMe Scooby Newbie Member#: 160814 Join Date: Oct 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Waterford, MI Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon PSM	Yeah, I did turn the wheel, so that makes a lot of sense. If that's all that it is, that's fantastic.

10-03-2009, 02:55 PM	#12
garface Scooby Guru Member#: 1581 Join Date: Jun 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: yonkers, ny Vehicle: MY00 RS/STi7 MY01 RS Both Silverthorne	I checked two dealers at some point and one wanted $280, the other like $319. Sucks.

10-03-2009, 03:03 PM	#13
garface Scooby Guru Member#: 1581 Join Date: Jun 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: yonkers, ny Vehicle: MY00 RS/STi7 MY01 RS Both Silverthorne	http://www.subaruparts.com/cart/?pn=83116AE010 Try that if you want a new one. $230 shipped, not too bad.

11-02-2009, 03:18 AM	#14
crpwrx Scooby Specialist Member#: 180710 Join Date: May 2008 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Lower Bay Vehicle: 2002 PSM WRX protuned@ 316hp and 285tq	You are supposed to hang chains from the frame to the ground to well... ground it out, when you weld like that.