Airbags are an essential safety feature in a vehicle, as they deploy a life-saving mechanism in times of car crashes and accidents. However, when the warning light flashes on, most people don’t understand what it means or are unfazed by it. As a result, they continue driving or riding in their vehicle like normal without inspecting the light’s cause.
The airbag warning light has its name for a reason, which means it’s crucial to check your vehicle and determine the issues that triggered the light. That way, you’ll ensure the safety of everyone in your car. Here’s what you need to know:
What Triggers an Airbag Light?
When you start your engine, your dashboard lights briefly flash before turning off. This notification happens because your vehicle’s computer system is conducting a check to ensure that everything is working correctly. If everything is up to speed, then all the dashboard lights will turn off. If the airbag warning light stays on, that means your car has detected that something is wrong with the mechanism, and you may need to service your air bag.
What Does the Airbag Light Signify?
Your vehicle has a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), and your airbag system is a component of this. When the light turns on, it signals a problem with either your airbags or your seatbelts. The SRS also has sensors under your car seats, which detect whether a person is occupying the seat, ensuring the airbag deploys only in this circumstance. In short, if you see your airbag warning light, you may have an issue with your seatbelts, the sensors, or the airbags themselves.
What Should I Do When I Have an Airbag Warning Light?
Once you spot an airbag warning light, it is vital to have your vehicle inspected right away to ensure its safety. However, you can also conduct a few checks of your own to attempt to fix the issue before having your vehicle professionally serviced.
You can start by inspecting the seat belt buckle and determining if something interferes with the seat belt sensor. It could be anything from crumbs of food to coins. You can also test your seat belts by tugging on them sharply to check if they’re stuck, as this could trigger the airbag light. Another option is to survey the area underneath your seats for any disconnected wires.
Keep in mind that you should never dismantle your airbag unit, as it has an explosive charge that could seriously injure or kill you. If the light stays on even after conducting the checks mentioned above, you’ll need to take your SRS airbag to a professional.
What Should I Do When My Airbag Light Flashes After an Accident?
If your vehicle gets involved in an accident, it will likely make your airbag light flash, as the SRS airbag module records all crash history and codes. You can look into airbag module reset services near you for this, as resetting your control module is much more affordable than buying a new one.
You’ll also want to go for seat belt replacement, as seat belts permanently lock during an accident. Overall, it’s best to ask a professional to inspect your SRS so you’ll know the full extent of the damage and the tasks you need to perform, like how to replace your car airbags.
Conclusion
Airbag warning lights often indicate an issue in your vehicle, so it’s crucial to inspect its cause right away. Ignoring it will prevent your vehicle’s safety features from deploying, which can result in grave harm or even death. Now that you know what an airbag warning light means, you can take the correct steps to resolve the issue and maintain your vehicle’s safety.
Seat Belt Restore is a seat belt repair shop that also offers airbag replacement and airbag module reset services. Our SRS airbag modules and seat belt repair services are compatible with all makes and models, ensuring a good fit for your vehicle. Get in touch with us today to find out how to restore your airbags and seat belts to factory conditions!