Airbag Reset Procedure

Another post for future reference. These new fangled cars have all these complex sensors and warning lights just waiting to make one's life safer, but potentially more of a hassle.

If you ever unplug the airbag harness on the 350Z seats while the car is on, the airbag light on the dashboard will start flashing. Once you have plugged the harness (or a 2.2 ohm 0.25W resistor) back in, a procedure must be performed to reset the airbag (SRS) system and make the airbag light stop flashing. I found instructions on the 350Z-tech forum and have modified them according to what worked for me.

The procedure consists of two parts:

1. Change the SRS system to Self-Diagnosis Mode.
2. Change the SRS system back to User Mode.

How to change to Self-Diagnosis Mode:

1. Turn the ignition switch from OFF to ON.
2. Within 1 second of the airbag warning lamp starting to flash, turn OFF the ignition switch.
3. Wait for more than 3 seconds.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 twice. (Perform 3 times in total)
5. Turn the ignition switch ON again and the dash should be in Self-Diagnosis Mode, signified by the airbag warning lamp flashing at a slower rate than it did in User Mode.
6. Turn the ignition switch OFF.

How to change to User Mode:

1. Turn the ignition switch from OFF to ON.
2. Within 1 second of the airbag warning lamp starting to flash, turn OFF the ignition switch.
3. Wait for more than 3 seconds.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 twice. (Perform 3 times in total)
5. Turn the ignition switch ON again and the dash should be in User Mode. After the initial checks, the airbag warning lamp should turn off and no longer flash.

Source: 350z-tech.com

Defi Oil Temperature Gauge Wiring

This is for future reference. The wiring is for a 2006 Nissan 350Z and the gauge has been connected to the unified meter and air conditioner amplifier (UM AC amp) located underneath the stereo head unit.

The gauge has 4 wires to be connected:

Orange - To 12V wire when ignition on
Red - To 12V battery wire
White - To 12V wire when small lamp (parkers) on
Black - To ground or negative battery terminal

The UM AC amp has 3 harnesses on the back. The following image shows the pin layout and the wires the gauge is connected to.

Orange gauge wire >>> Wire 46 (Blue/White)
Red gauge wire >>> Wire 21 (Red/White)
Black gauge wire >>> Wire 29 (Black)
The white gauge wire is not currently connected.

Further Oil Cooler Testing

To get some oil temperature readings without the aid of the oil cooler, I covered the cooler core with a piece of cardboard. This is not as accurate as getting readings without the cooler installed at all, but it provides a general idea of before and after temperatures.

Looks like the cooler is doing its job.