Let’s face it, accidents happen. This is true when you’re on the road, as all it takes is a split second for disaster to strike. Because of this, making sure that the safety features on your car are working well should always be your top priority, especially for your airbag. In fact, research shows that airbags reduce driver fatalities by 29%!
Now, one of the worst things that can happen is your airbag not deploying properly. If you want to avoid this from happening and understand airbags more, we’ve put together a short discussion on the most common reasons an airbag fails to inflate or deploy during an accident. Hopefully, this article gives your valuable information that you can use when it comes to helping you better maintain your airbag:
The Impact Was Too Weak
Before we get into this first reason, we first have to talk about how airbags work. When your vehicle goes through a moderate to severe crash, the impact will cause a signal to be sent to the electronic control unit. From there, the airbag should immediately send a signal to the igniter in the inflator, which will then begin the inflating process.
Now, the issue may be the impact itself. If the impact isn’t strong enough, then it may not be able to trigger the electronic control unit. This usually happens for low-speed crashes, where the seatbelts alone will be enough to protect the passengers. With that being said, this also means that the airbag will trigger at different speeds depending on whether or not you’re wearing a seatbelt. Unbelted crashes at 10 to 12 mph will most likely trigger your airbag, while belted occupants can expect their airbags to trigger at around 16 mph.
The Automatic Shut-Off Sensor is Damaged
Another common reason for airbags not inflating and deploying is a faulty automatic shut-off sensor. This sensor is responsible for determining whether a child or an adult is sitting on the front seat. However, keep in mind that the airbags are designed not to trigger for children as they may end up hurting them even more during an accident. If the shut-off sensor is damaged, then it may be falsely activating even if an adult is sitting on the front seat!
The Parts Are Defective
There are many different parts that could be responsible for an airbag not deploying. Luckily, airbags are designed to indicate if any of their parts are faulty or defective, and you’ll be able to see this by checking the airbag light. If there is anything wrong, then the light will flash, similar to how your check engine light functions. If you see that this light is on, then it’s best to take your car to a qualified automotive technician to get your airbags checked before starting your journey!
Conclusion
You’ll always want to be extra diligent when it comes to your vehicle’s airbags, as they can literally be the difference between life and death. We hope this article has shed some light on the common reasons for airbags not inflating and deploying. Be sure to keep this information in mind at all times because it will go a long way when it comes to keeping you safe on the road!
Are you planning on getting an airbag replacement? Before you do that, we suggest that you bring it over to us here at SRS Restore. We offer the best airbag module reset in Westfield, MA, which can help reduce your spending as it can save you from having your airbag replaced. For any airbag or seat belt issues, don’t hesitate to contact us today!