Your vehicle’s dashboard houses many warning lights.
Some may be more familiar to drivers, like the check engine light or tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light.
Others – such as the airbag light – might not appear as often. However, they are still worth paying attention to.
The airbag system is an important safety measure for motorists and those riding with them. If the airbag light illuminates, it can indicate that something isn’t optimal.
Airbag light causes
How is the airbag system set up?
You have your airbag computer module and each airbag that deploys is called a module. The system is also made up of connectors, seat sensors, and seat belt buckles.
The good thing about airbag restraint systems is that the smallest flaw will trigger the airbag light.
Here are some hidden problems that can prompt the light to appear:
- Bad occupant sensor
- Problems with the airbag module
- Airbag clock spring failing
- A wire is broken
- Seat belt buckle resistor going bad
- Auxiliary battery
- Connector issues
The airbag light may show up if a sensor is malfunctioning. One of them is the occupant sensor, which caused the airbag light to start flashing on a Nissan Murano. This sensor was built into the lower cushion and seat control assembly.
It’s also possible that the seat belt buckle’s resistor has failed.
Another reason why the warning light turns on is that your vehicle needs a new airbag module due to water damage.
Problems might occur with the airbag clock spring, as well. This component connects the steering wheel and airbag. Sometimes, it can go bad.
Broken wires and the auxiliary battery on European vehicles are other culprits that may prompt the airbag light to come on.
The symbol doesn’t always mean that an item needs to be replaced. Even something getting underneath the seats could mess up a connector, and we just need to go in and clean it up.
Diagnosing airbag lights
If your airbag light appears, have an automotive professional make sure that all parts of this safety feature are working correctly.
What does this look like? Our airbag light diagnostic process begins with a code scan.
The next step is making sure the battery, contacts and charging system are in good working order. If the airbag system notices that the voltage is bad or below what it should be, it’s going to trigger a problem because it doesn’t have the proper voltage to operate the system.
Depending on where the code leads us, we would go to that airbag component and check the power and ground at the connector. There is going to be a spec for ohms of resistance on the part.
An airbag simulator can be plugged into that component if it’s accessible. If you plug the part into where the fault is and it goes away, then you’ve isolated the problem.
Diagnostics could mean a return visit for drivers. Sometimes, before going down the diagnostic testing trail we will clear the light and send customers on their way to see if it reappears.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located near Lake Ridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.