If you’ve noticed that your airbag light is on and you want to know why this is happening, you are at the right place as we are about providing you with the top reasons why your airbag light is on. Before we start, let’s see what an airbag is and the role in plays in your car.
What’s an Airbag?
An airbag is an occupant-restraint system in a car that uses a bag that inflates and deflates quickly during a collision. The airbag cushion, a flexible fabric bag, an inflating module, and an impact sensor make up the system. The aim of an airbag is to offer soft cushioning and restraining to a vehicle occupant during a collision. It has the potential to lessen injuries caused by the flailing occupant colliding with the vehicle’s interior.
Between the occupants of the car and the steering wheel, instrument panel, body pillar, headliner, and windshield, the airbag provides an energy-absorbing surface. Up to ten airbag modules can be found in modern automobiles, including driver, passenger, side-curtain, seat-mounted, door-mounted, B and C-pillar mounted side-impact, knee bolster, inflatable seat belt, and pedestrian airbag modules, among others.
The airbag electronic controller unit (ECU) receives critical information from the vehicle’s crash sensors during a collision, such as collision type, angle, and severity of impact. The airbag ECU’s crash algorithm uses this information to assess whether the accident event fits the requirements for deployment and then triggers various firing circuits to deploy one or more airbag modules within the vehicle. Airbag module deployments are initiated by a pyrotechnic mechanism that is only utilized once and serves as a secondary restraint method to the vehicle‘s seatbelt systems.
Why Is My Airbag Light On?
Let’s now see why the airbag light shows on the dashboard of your car.
Although airbag repair is not the most popular vehicle repair service, it is occasionally required. If you’re in an accident and any of your airbags deploy, you’ll need to repair them and reset the sensors.
But what if you haven’t been in an accident but are still experiencing airbag issues? The airbag warning light on your dashboard or computer display will illuminate or flash to alert you. This light indicates that your airbags have been deactivated. If you get into an accident, that indicates they won’t deploy properly.
Needless to say, this is a major problem that you will want to address as soon as possible for your own and your passengers’ safety. It’s always possible that the airbag light was turned on by accident and that it just has to be reset. Other than that, the airbags could fail due to a variety of circumstances:
Faulty Sensors
Many different sensors are connected to various components in your vehicle. They communicate directly with the vehicle’s computer system, detecting and alerting the driver to any potential problems. Sensors can fail or be accidentally tripped, causing the airbag warning light to glow. It will be necessary to inspect the sensors and reset the system.
Depleted Airbag Backup Battery
If your car’s battery has just died, the backup battery that powers the airbags may have died as well. It may self-correct after the battery is fully charged again, but if not, the backup battery must be recharged along with a sensor reset.
Damaged Airbag Clock Spring
The airbag timer The spring maintains continuity between the vehicle’s electrical wiring and the driver-side airbag. As the steering wheel is turned, it coils in and out. It can wear down naturally over time, resulting in a faulty connection and the possibility of airbag failure.
Wet Airbag Module
Water damage to your car could have harmed the airbag module located beneath the driver and/or passenger seat. It will not function properly if it is shorted out or corroded.
Your Seat Belts Could Be The Problem
The SRS system in your vehicle comprises seatbelt pretensioners in addition to sensors and airbags. Seatbelt pretensioners engage when a sudden forward movement is detected on the seatbelt, such as in a forward accident. This will prevent you from colliding with the airbag, steering wheel, or dashboard and injuring yourself.
Following that, a force limiter will minimize the strain on the occupant’s chest from the tensioned seatbelt while still keeping the occupant in a safe space. The airbag warning light will also signal a problem with the seatbelt pretensioners. This is yet another reason to seek professional assistance if your vehicle’s SRS system is malfunctioning.
You May Have A Electrical Or Wiring Fault
If your airbag light isn’t caused by a malfunctioning airbag sensor, it could be a system wiring issue or even a problem with the SRS computer. We always recommend going to an authorized Toyota service center when you need repairs to the SRS system because diagnosing it takes specialized tools and knowledge.
Airbag Repair & Replacement Cost
Because there are so many parts that need to be fixed or replaced, airbag replacement from a professional can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. Labor costs make up almost a third of the total.
The exact value is determined by a variety of criteria, including the vehicle’s year, make, and model, the number and position of airbags, and the number and kind of any relevant parts that may need to be replaced (such as the dashboard, airbag computer, springs, sensors, instrument panel, windshield, and steering wheel).
Airbag replacement in a newer Audi or Porsche is obviously more expensive than in a Honda or Ford that is ten years old.
The driver’s side airbag can cost anything from $150 to $600 per bag. The passenger-side airbag will set you back between $300 and $800.
Knee and side airbags are less common than front airbags, but they will need to be replaced if they are deployed. Expect to pay around the same as for a passenger side airbag, though prices may vary based on the airbag’s design and size.
Vehicles with seatbelt pretensioners will need to be fixed or replaced after deployment. Repairing a pretensioner will cost between $80 and $120, and replacing it with new components will cost considerably more.
The ECU or airbag module will need to be reset at the absolute least, which will cost between $50 and $150. If the airbag control module needs to be replaced, expect to pay between $400 and $1,200.
Once the deductible is satisfied, auto insurance will normally cover the cost of the airbag repair, albeit the cost of replacement is often so expensive that the insurance company will prefer to “total” the automobile instead.
Air Bag Repair Services Near Me
Let’s now look at some of the best airbag repair services close to you. Feel free to contact them and get your airbag repaired.
Trade Tyre and Service Centre has extensive experience fixing all makes and models of automobiles. We have dealer-level trade technicians on staff, so you can rest assured that your vehicle is in good hands when it comes to us.
We are located half a mile from the center of Alton. We do, however, provide a free collection and delivery service. While you wait for your vehicle, take advantage of our free WiFi and complimentary coffee and tea.
B & G Autotechs Ltd
We service and repair all makes and models, with a focus on the BMW, MINI, VW, and Audi groups. On whatever price, we will not be beaten!
We provide a complimentary pick-up and delivery service.
We will wash and vacuum your car for free.
Please see our reviews at if you are a member of the Approved Garages.
www.approvedgarges.co.uk.
T & A Diagnostics and Sons Ltd
Hello, my name is Adrian, and I am a fully qualified Master Technician with 36 years of experience in the automotive sector. I come from a main dealer background, having worked with Renault, Jaguar, Kia, Hyundai, Ssanyong, and SAAB, as well as Mazda.
I started this business eight years ago, offering appointments at our facility in Chilham seven days a week. This is typically a big assistance because it means cars can be fixed outside of normal business hours, which means you won’t have to miss work to get your car mended.
On all makes and models of vehicles, I can perform all types of mechanical work, including repairs, maintenance, and service, as well as MOTs. All provided and installed parts are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, which can typically be expanded to a lifetime warranty for a nominal additional price. For your piece of mind, I will also provide a labor guarantee that matches that of any items I supply and install. Within a 25-mile radius, we provide free pickup and delivery.
Conclusion
This is how far we can go on this article. Hope you have learnt alot and can now answer the question: Why is my airbag light on? If your airbag is faulty make sure you have it fixed by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.