98 Maxima - flashing airbag light? hmm
 

borrowing this car from my brother and the airbag light has been flashing for years. He put a new clock spring in, but that didn't help.
I looked online for a reset, try the one using the door switch (turn the key on, door switch button 5 times, key off then start the car) and nothing.

How can I diagnose what the issue is? Or is that the wrong way to reset it?

The reset procedure can be used to switch a system from test to normal mode. The light flashes when in test mode or it is attempting to communicate a problem In the Field Service Manual, there is a section named RS for Restraint System. In that section there is information for resetting the switch and reading the flashing light codes. The flashing lights remind me of Morse Code.

There is a product named Nissan Data Scan NDS1 for PC that can read the codes and provide a diagnostic of the issue. In my area, purchasing an ECUTalk cable and a copy of NDS1 cost less that a diagnostic trip to the dealer.

If you use the Advance Search process for SRS I'm sure you can find some posts to help.

Try door switch 7 times.

I found two different methods here, one person mentioned 7 times in a reply, and that was the ticket.

For some reason, it seemed to take two tries for me, initially I swear the rate of blinking changed, second time, cleared and has not come back so far (1 week).

The reason the flashing light changed is you are switching between test and normal mode. The RS section describes how to switch between modes

Sent from my Z998 using Maxima

FWIW actually disconnecting the airbag connectors located under the seat(s) and then connected them back up. Then doing the rest procedure seemed to work better sometimes.

The airbag light in my 4th Gen would start flashing every year or so. The above procedure would usually take care of it.

Cleaning the connectors can clear up a reoccurring issue.

Sent from my Z998 using Maxima

sometimes those resets have to be preformed with a stop watch and then it's still difficult, it's thi way with the diel relearn. i had a air bag light and we cleared it with a Snap On Verus after fixing a severed wire.

I tried the door switch method unsuccessfully by just pressing the switch button repeatedly with no success. I slowed it down just a bit to see the door open indicator on the dash go out 5 times in 7 seconds and it worked. Just pressing didn't allow the system to recognize the input I think. My light has gone out as there was no error message.