Any modern vehicle you’ve come across or driven contains an airbag control module in its safety features. The airbag is a vital safety feature installed in many cars manufactured after 1998. It’s considered an add-on to the standard seatbelt system. While these devices are the first line of defense when an accident occurs, airbags are considered additional tools and seatbelts. Therefore, they have been called the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) or airbag system.
The overwhelming majority of the components in an SRS airbag are electrical, but the airbag control module is the most vital. This device serves as a central brain for the system, coordinating all components for a smooth operation during an accident.
The SRS control module monitors all of the data from the sensors. It uses that information to determine when an accident occurs, activating the appropriate SRS parts to minimize injury to vehicle occupants. In addition, the SRS control module receives information from other vehicle components before deciding. The data is stored in data that can be accessed by a technician later, so they can determine whether everything turned out correctly.
While SRS airbags are designed to keep you and your passengers safe in a crash, this system comprises several parts working together to operate correctly. A bad airbag control module will cause you not to be protected as you should.
Let’s look at the symptoms of something wrong with your airbag control module so you can address them soonest. The most common symptom is an SRS warning light on the dashboard, probably the only sign you will notice. Another symptom is that the airbags won’t deploy in a crash. Here’s a more in-depth explanation of the two most prominent alarming signs of an SRS airbag module:
First Alarm Sign: SRS Airbag Warning Lights
Airbag control modules are part of the Supplemental Restraint System in a vehicle. If there is a problem with these parts, the SRS warning light will alert the driver to possible SRS issues. However, this warning light can mean many things, such as a sensor malfunction, clock spring problems, or a problem with the seatbelt pre-tensioner. Most problems can be pinpointed easily with an OBD II scanner and SRS capability.
Second Alarm Sign: Malfunctioning SRS Airbags
Whenever the SRS airbag system is not functioning, you put yourself at risk of an accident. Although the airbag light may be illuminated, there’s always a chance of a malfunction, causing the light to shine even though no problems exist.
In this case, you would only know that something was wrong with the airbag system if they didn’t deploy in a vehicular accident. No one wants to find out in this manner when it’s too late, so it’s critical to check any airbag trouble codes when they occur.
Solution
Once you’ve spotted the problems, you can solve them by locating where the SRS airbag is. Its placement will vary depending on the vehicle it’s installed on, so discovering it will be difficult. The SRS airbag could be found near the front fascia, engine, front bumper, or passenger seat area.
Conclusion
Be sure to take them back to the manufacturer so mechanics can reset the system. There is no way you can do that on your own. While they seem like hardware, a vehicle’s SRS airbags are powered by electronics. Therefore, a professional should examine them and ensure the settings are in their default for added safety.
Always take your faulty SRS airbags to seatbelt Restore whenever you notice they’re not working correctly. We offer customized seatbelts, repairs, and SRS airbag resets. Check out products and services on our website.