Are there any affordable scan tools that can read a 2000 XJ8 airbag light?

I had some electrical woes when I picked the car up, thus it triggered everything in the book. I was able to get things on track, and the only light left to troubleshoot is the airbag light.

I have the icarsoft i930 scan tool, which picks up some things on my car, but not much...and fails to read some codes for modules it CAN detect, and can't clear codes for others...which may be erroneously detected. It's basically useless if you have a 2000 XJ8, unless you want some real basic stuff. Their tech support informed me this car was 'too old', which is humorous, as most dealers are probably not buying a $150 scan tool that only does Land Rovers and Jags, but hey, it's helped me out with other cars, so I can't complain too much.

Any info is appreciated. Seems like I need to just get a PC based system that is expandable and invest some $$. Was there ever a dealer 'scanner' computer of any kind? I use a $30 cable and the actual BMW dealer software on other vehicles and it works great.

Pete

 

I am not sure short of dealer level scans that you can get air bag codes from a scanner. The air bag codes are normally self diagnosed and are displayed on the instrument cluster by flashing.
Normally after starting observe the air bag symbol it should start blinking, Count the blinks. Generally it will flash stop for a second and flash again, then it will wait for 3 to 5 seconds and repeat flash stop for a second and flash again.
The flashes represent numbers in general a flash 2 times pause then 3 times would be a code 23. Check the flashes and post and we can look on the charts to help out.

 

There is a Genrad GDS 500E on eBay at the moment, have a look.

 

The cheapest is likely a clone (Mongoose/Mangoose). Painful to set up and use.

 

You haven't by chance done anything with the front seats have you? I had this annoying problem, scanned it with my iCarsoft i930, it turned out to be bad connections under the driver's seat, quick squirt of WD40, re-connect and bingo...sorted.

 

I have the i930 as well - latest rev...but don't get anything useful back. What year is your car? I haven't touched the rear seats, except to fix movement on them...but that require any disconnection of cables. Plus, the light was on before, as well. I might check it, just for kicks....can't hurt.