airbag light on?
 

my light came on after a new radio install. coincidence or did i knock loose a conection. i know about the air-bag thing under the seat, but i checked and it does not look to have taken any damage. i am wondering because if the light is on does that not mean the air bags will not deploy in a crash, since the 2001 model crash test results are not so good i think i would want functioning airbags.

You have to do a trouble code scan and find out. At the very least you need an ODB II scan device to reset the airbag. It's not advised to mess around with the airbag yourself, since if it deploys at the wrong time it can kill you.

Did you disconnect the battery before you started to replace the radio?

i did scan to see, and nothing to do with the airbag came back. i did not disconnect the battery. the battery has not died since i have had the car, and i dont think it is possible to reset the airbags.

You could try to disconnect the battery for 15 minutes and reset the system, it wouldn't hurt anything and it wouldn't cost anything. Pull off the negative terminal.

You are supposed to disconnect the battery whenever you start doing work like replace the battery, for reasons like this situation.

i will try to do that and tell yall what happens

If you look on HMA site you'll see there is a TBS bulletin about this problem, I took mine in and showed them the bulletin and they fixed the problem free of charge

NOV 06, 2001 | Recall ID# 27209

Recall ReasonAIR BAGSRecall DateNOV 06, 2001Model AffectedSONATAPotential Units Affected86513

Recall Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COULD ILLUMINATE DUE TO MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR THAT MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG(S).

Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL MORE SECURELY FASTEN THE FRONT SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTORS TO THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT CUSHION FRAMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL OCCUR IN SIX MAILINGS ON MAY 27, JUNE 3, JUNE 10, JUNE 17, JUNE 24, AND JULY 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Excellent answer. You should send Bucannon a personal message and make sure he sees it.