Passenger Presense Sensor Module - Replace or Reprogram?

[jpa]

My 2007 Torrent is it 103k miles and in the last 6k I've replaced the alternator and the belt tensioner, had the intake manifold gaskets fixed, and now I am having a problem where my passenger airbag is often not turning on when someone is sitting in the passenger seat. I took it to the dealer, they said to replace the passenger presence sensor module to the tune of $1200. I've done some research and this seems to be a fairly common problem. There was a recall on about 500 vehicles for similar problems and then there's the bulletin below.


I'm wondering if this reprogramming had been done to my vehicle before, and if it's possible that something like this could've been UNDONE by my mechanic in the process of one of the recent repairs.

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Seat Occupant Classification Module - Air Bag: All Technical Service Bulletins
Restraints - Air Bag Lamp ON/DTC B1000 Set
TECHNICAL
Bulletin No.: 08-09-41-004
Date: March 12, 2008
Subject: Airbag Light On, DTC B1000 Set (Reprogram Passenger Presence System (PPS) Module) Models:
2008 Buick Enclave
2005-2008 Cadillac SRX
2005-2008 Chevrolet Equinox
2007-2008 GMC Acadia
2006-2008 Pontiac Torrent
2007-2008 Saturn OUTLOOK
2007-2008 Suzuki XL-7 Condition Some customers may comment on the airbag light being illuminated. Upon investigation, the technician may find DTC B1000 with symptom code 37 set as current or in history. Correction Important: You must contact Techline to obtain a VCI number. New software for the Passenger Presence System (PPS) has been released to disable this diagnostic check to prevent false setting of DTC B1000.
Reprogram the PPS module with updated calibration files using the TIS2WEB Service Programming System (SPS) application. As always, make sure
your Tech 2(R) is updated with the latest software version. Perform a PPS rezero/preload procedure upon a successful module reprogramming event.

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[melsg5]

Show the dealer the bulletin. They have to check whether the software update was installed. Unfortunately dealers quite often do not check bulletins.

 

[jpa]

Thanks. I gave them a call. The tech said he saw the bulletin and he checked it and it already had the update applied. So it looks like I have to replace that darn thing.

 

[melsg5]

did you ask for a breakdown between parts and labor? List price for the part is $533 and you can get it online for $358

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[jpa]

Yes it was $533 for the part and $650 for the labor.

 

[melsg5]

that labor charge sounds ridiculous, at a $100/hour is it going to take 6.5 hours to install it? Do you have any auto upholstery shops near you? If so try to get a labor quote and buy the part yourself for $358.

 

[jpa]

Can an upholstery place do the necessary reprogramming at the end of the procedure?

 

[jpa]

that labor charge sounds ridiculous, at a $100/hour is it going to take 6.5 hours to install it? Do you have any auto upholstery shops near you? If so try to get a labor quote and buy the part yourself for $358.

Thanks for this. Clarified with the dealer. They did their math wrong. The actual quoted price is about $860- (the part at list price + 1.7 hours labor). That makes more sense based on other prices I've been getting.

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