You’re not alone if you’ve recently noticed a strange symbol illuminated on your car’s dashboard. Many drivers are surprised when the airbag light on their car’s dashboard illuminates. Like other dashboard indicators, this illuminated light often indicates underlying issues.
Addressing the illuminated airbag light is essential as soon as you notice it. Determining and fixing the underlying cause will ensure that you can drive safely and don’t have to worry about malfunctions. Luckily, most drivers can reset the airbag light in just a few simple steps.
What Does The Illuminated Airbag Light Mean?
The air bag light, also known as the SRS warning indicator, is meant to let drivers know if there are any issues with their vehicle’s airbag system. If the light is illuminated, the car has detected some problem that may cause the airbags to malfunction.
Airbags are essential for surviving car crashes. They prevent thousands of injuries and deaths every year. To drive safely, you need airbags that you can trust will deploy at the proper time. If your car’s SRS light is illuminated, addressing and fixing the issue is essential.
4 Reasons Why Your Airbag Warning Light is On
There is always a chance that the airbag light is on by accident and it just needs to be reset. Otherwise, there are a number of other situations that may cause the airbags to fail:
#1. Depleted Airbag Backup Battery.
If your car’s battery has drained recently, it may have also depleted the backup battery that powers the airbags. It may correct itself once the battery is fully charged again, but if not the backup battery will need to be recharged along with a sensor reset.
#2. Faulty Sensors.
Your vehicle has many different sensors connected to different components. They link directly to the car’s computer system to detect and notify the driver of any potential issues.
Sensors can fail or be tripped on accident to cause the airbag warning to illuminate. The sensors will need to be checked and the system will need to be reset.
#3. Damaged Airbag Clock Spring.
The airbag clock spring is there to maintain continuity between the electrical wiring of the vehicle and the driver-side airbag. It coils in and out as the steering wheel turns. It can become worn out naturally over time, which causes a poor connection and potential airbag failures.
#4. Wet Airbag Module.
If your vehicle has experienced water damage, it could have affected the airbag module located under the driver and/or passenger seat. If it is shorted out or corroded, it won’t work properly.
Whether it’s on by mistake or through one of these common causes, your airbag warning light is there for a reason. If it comes on, you will want to get your airbag system and sensors repaired as soon as possible. Why have airbags if they are not going to work in case of accident?
6 Ways to Reset Your Airbag Light
If a mechanic repairs your airbag, they’ll reset it for you. If you’ve taken the DIY route to fix the airbag issue, here are different ways to reset your airbag warning light:
#1. Turn Your Car On and Off.
This helps reset your car’s computer by turning your ignition switch on and off.
After you’ve turned the ignition switch on, the warning light should stay on for about seven seconds and then disappear. If it doesn’t disappear, try this a few more times before moving on to another method.
#2. Go For a Test Drive.
Before driving:
- Check the airbag module wires under the two front seats.
- Don’t drive if there’s any visible damage to the wires or a loose connection.
If everything is fine, take a 3 to 5-minute drive. This will give your vehicle time to reset its systems, and your airbag lights should disappear.
#3. Locate and Check Your Passenger Airbag Switch.
As mentioned before, some vehicles have a passenger airbag switch that can be activated or disengaged. When the switch is off, the air bag light will constantly illuminate. The fix is to turn the switch back on.
#4. Check Your Seatbelts.
Your supplemental restraint system comprises your airbag system, seat belt pretensioner, and impact sensors. A faulty seat belt pretensioner or any seat belt obstruction can trigger your SRS warning light.
#5. Verify If Your Passenger Weight Sensor Is Triggered.
Your sensor’s electrical wiring may mistake a heavy bag or box in your passenger seat as a person and expect it to wear a seat belt. You could move the object to the floor rear seats or have it ‘wear’ a seat belt.
#6. Use an OBD-II Scanner to Reset the Airbag Codes.
If you’re confident in your mechanic capabilities, purchase a scan tool to clear and reset your airbag codes. This should reset the airbag light. Just remember that if the root cause wasn’t resolved, your airbag codes and light will likely return.
Connect the scan tool to the diagnostic link airbag connectors below your steering wheel. Run a scan on the airbag ECU and find the exact problem you need to repair. But call a mechanic if the repairs are too complex for you to handle.
Can I Drive With The Airbag Light On?
You can technically drive your vehicle, but it’s not recommended. After all, an airbag warning light indicates something is wrong with the system, so there’s a possibility your airbags won’t deploy during a collision.
Get your ride checked by a trusted professional once you notice the airbag warning light on your dash.