Hi all,
I have a '96 Regal 3.8L 210k miles and just the other day I'm doing 65 mph or so, start going up a long hill, the car downshifts normally but then I notice the airbag light is flashing. It flashes 6-8 times then stops. It has done this a couple times since under the same type of circumstances and once during a hard brake from highway speeds (got cut off). The other thing I've noticed 2 or 3 times (not when the airbag light is flashing) is the headlights/dash lights flickering just a bit for maybe 8-10 secs then it stops. The alternator is original so when I saw the lights flicker my first thought was the alternator is going. The battery is also original as far as I know(I got the car in early '98).

I tried to count the flashes of the airbag light and I think it's seven, does that mean anything? Will a basic OBDII code reader display errors of this type? I'm going to hook up a simple analog volt meter so I can see what the voltage is actually doing when the lights flicker. Any other suggestions? Things to check? Known issues?

As I'm typing this I'm thinking I have an electrical problem somewhere but the airbag light flashing had my puzzled...what would make it flash 6-8 times then just stop?!?! Then it occurs to me...it flashes when I turn the key on! And sure enough I just checked and it flashes like 6 times then stops. So, it appears, the electrical is glitching enough to make whatever controls the airbag to reset. Does this sound reasonable?

Thanks,
Ron

I have to agree with your assessment that you have a voltage issue either with the alternator or the battery. If both are original then they are probably in need of replacement especially the battery. I would check all grounds and all cables to insure that everything is well connected. Air bags and ABS systems require at least 14 volts to work properly so when your engine speed changes you may have a slipping belt that is causing the decrease in voltage and with a potentially weak battery the air bag system is telling you that something is wrong.

A regular OBD scanner will not diagnose the air bag issue as you need one that can read the codes. Most DIY'ers do not have one that is air bag capable.

Thanks for the reply...I load tested the battery and checked any connections I could find a couple days after your reply, everything looked ok. But then a few days ago I also noticed a hum from the alternator so I got a new one and put it in today. I have not road tested it yet I'm hoping this will take care of the problem.

Ron