Do I need a new airbag control module?

[lsupcar]

In my '92 LS-L with 188K miles, the airbag light just came on and stays on. It was accompanied by an electrical burning smell that seems to becoming from the ashtray area. I smelled the odor when I got in the car before starting it up and noticing the light for the first time. The next day the smell is less, but still there.
I performed the diagnostic trouble shoot under the kick panel with the wire in location 9 and the light stays illuminated and does not flash. Following the procedure to clear the code and disconnecting the negative battery terminal for a while have both failed to reset the light.
I checked and squeezed together the connection of the yellow cable in the kick panel with no change.
There is no dealer within 100 miles and it is questionable if they would have the test cables to troubleshoot the system. But they may.
Any suggestions?
Should I change out the controller with a known good used unit? Anyone have one? How much?
How hard a job is that?
Thanks.
Bill Z

[Blacky]

I don't know why you can't read the code or reset the light unless the burning smell was some of the wiring of the air bag system melting.
It's a bit of a pain to get to the module. It's behind and below the stereo which needs to be removed. Small flexible hands are a bonus.
You may want to remove the stereo and have a look at the wires before deciding how to proceed. Also check all the fuses to see if any blew. Theoretically the fuse should go before the wires melt.

I have a couple of modules if you decide you need one.. I'll send you a PM.

[lsupcar]

Thanks.
I will remove the stereo and take a look in a week or so once I have access to a spare car.
Even removing the stereo appears to be quite the job.
Bill

[gwynethh]

Removal instructions at
http://ae64.com/SVXAudioInstall.htm

[lsupcar]

That will be helpful.
Thanks.

[lsupcar]

Well, i removed the radio and there are no apparent damage or signs of overheating of the airbag control unit or wiring.
I have decided to put everything back together as is with the airbag light remaining lit, and leaving it as is. At least until its next time to visit a dealer, at which time we will see if they have the test cables to test the srs. I'm thinking maybe it is not a bad thing to have an inoperable 24 year old airbag.
This is the first time all these components have been apart and it was quite the job.

[Blacky]

My airbag has been offline since I bought my '92 8 years ago. I'm sure it saved me getting a punch in the face and a broken windshield when I hit a deer a few years ago. It was a hard enough hit to set off the bag but certainly not hard enough to cause me any injury.