Be sure to disconnect the NEGATIVE battery post and wait 15 minutes before you mess with any of the restraint system components. That will disarm the system, so there will be no chance of explosions.

To get under the seats move them all the way up then remove the 2 bolts holding them down in the rear, then they will rotate forward. Search "seat removal".

 

So, Jonathan. How does that work? You are able to set up appointments in Switzerland?
Just wondering, since that's where SwissHHR is located.

 

Bummer, I didn't see that at first glance. Good looking out fireman! If the dealership route is one that you would like to take SwissHHR, I would be happy to get you in contact with the appropriate team in your market to help out!

Safe travels!

Jonathan A.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

Thanks to your help I found the kick panel! :-) Now trying to get that connector loose...

 

Hello fellow HHR owners. I too have had the service air bag message on my 09 HHR. I did the dialetic grease on the pin connection of the yellow connectors underneath the passenger kick plate, and disconnected the battery for 20 minutes to reset all computers...but message came back on right away. Any other suggestions??? The pics and the descriptions by the previous posts are much appreciated by the way!

 

Did you lightly sand/clean off teh electrical pins of any potential corrosion 1st? If so, check the connectors under the passenger seat as described. If you can access an airbag code reader that would eliminate much of the guess work.

 

On my 2009 LS I also had an obvious problem with the original assembly of the other “yellow” connector located near the Data Link Connector. The factory or the servicing dealer put it together with the center tongue pinched inside. I had never seen a connector like this one. I don’t remember how it comes apart; you will have to experiment with it.

I found this misassembled connector problem at the same time I went through the complete system looking at all the connectors of the restraint system. Even went into the box under the shifter console. By the way all the connectors have shorting bars that short out the activating pairs of wires to the airbags as you unplug the halves of the connectors. The auto industry has done a pretty good job protecting from accidental activation of the airbags.

Since doing the whole vehicle I haven’t had any problems what so ever; the connector located above the right kick panel in the passenger foot area did not take care of all my problems.

By the way all these connectors cannot be easily taken apart to “sand and clean” contacts. I believe these connectors are too complicated with the hidden shorting bars to be serviceable by the common DIYers.

 

The battery disconnect does not re set the the AirBag module. If it is the problem it needs to be re programed and/or replaced. It is possible to send it off to be re programed. If you replace it with a new part a TechII must be used to install the new Serial Number.

Just trying to clear that up.

 

About two weeks ago, I took the yellow X211 connector behind the right kick panel apart and sprayed some contact cleaner onto the contacts. Touch wood: the airbag light hasn't come on since...

 

Where's the passenger side kick panel where the air bag plug is?