Home » Car Airbag System Explained
airbag system

Car Airbag System Explained

What is an Airbag System?

An airbag system is a critical component in a car that helps in preventing accidents, with an airbag light serving as a safety alert system.

The airbag control unit detects and evaluates accident levels and makes decisions about airbag deployment. It stores crash data and exchanges it with the engine.

They are inflatable cushions built into a vehicle that protect occupants from hitting the vehicle interior or objects outside the vehicle (for example, other vehicles or trees) during a collision. The instant a crash occurs, sensors start to measure impact severity.

Faulty airbag control units can prevent airbags from reacting in collisions. Resetting the airbag light is crucial for maintaining the safety system, but all issues causing the light to illuminate should be addressed before resetting.

You can reset your airbag light by simply turning the ignition light on and off, taking a quick test drive, checking all the airbag switches, checking the seat belts to see if they are properly working, confirming if the passenger weight sensor is on, and finally using an OBD II scanner to reset the code.

To check if the airbag light illuminates, start the ignition and check if it illuminates after seven seconds. Turn off the ignition switch immediately and wait for three seconds.

After that, take a quick test drive and inspect the electrical system under the driver’s and passenger’s seats. If the light shuts off automatically, spray an electronic cleaner onto the connector plugs. Locate and check the passenger airbag switch and seat belts to ensure proper functioning.

If the airbag light comes on due to a defective seat belt, plug each one in individually and press the button to release it while the car is running. Additionally, check if the passenger weight sensor is on to avoid triggering the sensors.

To reset the airbag light, use an OBD-II scanner with SRS capabilities if you know how to use it. Research before buying, as not all tools automatically reset the airbag light.

The SRS airbag light is a passive restraint system that automatically detects factors like acceleration, braking, collision location, and occupied passenger seats to determine which seatbelts must be buckled and which airbags should inflate.

The SRS light should stay on for one to five seconds when the car is first started, and if it keeps flashing, it indicates a problem with the SRS airbag system.

If the light keeps flashing, it indicates the system is currently turned off, which will prevent the seatbelts from fastening, the airbags from inflating, and other features from operating in case of a collision.

Driving with the SRS airbag light on is not safe, as it indicates a defective airbag system that may not deploy when needed in an accident.

It is not advised to drive the vehicle until the issue has been fixed, but the warning light should never be ignored. To ensure the safety of your car, fix the problem as soon as the airbag light comes on.

The SRS airbag light, which flashes when the dashboard or computer-display airbag warning light is on, indicates that the airbags are deactivated during an accident.

The illuminated light can be caused by faulty airbag sensors, a backup airbag battery, a broken clock spring, or water damage.

Sensor failures can cause the airbag light to flash, requiring system resets and sensor examination. If the backup battery is down, the sensor may need to be reset. If the battery is fully charged, the issue may be resolved, but if not, the sensor needs to be reset.

Water damage can also cause the airbag light to flash, causing damage to the airbag system and sensors. It is crucial to have the airbag system and sensors repaired immediately if the SRS airbag light is illuminated.

Significant advancements in automotive safety have led to the use of airbags, which have saved 50,457 lives between 1987 and 2017. However, replacing airbags in a car can be costly and necessary.

In 2024–2025, the cost of replacing an airbag can range from $1,500 per airbag, including parts and labor, to over $6,000 on high-end luxury vehicles.

The cost of airbag replacement may differ significantly from case to case due to the unique nature of collisions and the number of airbag system components affected.

Airbag modules or assemblies can cost between $200 and $800 on average, with labor costs not included. Additional airbags can cost between $150 and $300 for installation, bringing the total cost to between $35 and $1,100 per unit.

Understanding the cost of airbag replacement and the potential financial implications of each case is essential for maintaining automotive safety.

Airbag Video

FAQs

What is the purpose of the airbag?

The purpose of an airbag system in a car is to protect the driver and passenger during the event of an accident. The system deploys when it notices any form of accident using the airbag sensor.

How many airbags are in a car?

Manufacturers install up to ten airbag modules in modern cars. They are available in different configurations, which include driver, passenger, side-curtain, seat-mounted, door-mounted, B and C pillar-mounted side-impart, knee bolster, inflated seat belt, and pedestrian airbag module.

Older cars may contain 3-5 airbag modules, depending on the year.

How do you fix an airbag problem?

To fix an airbag issue, you need to confirm if the light illuminates. That is, if the airbag system has never deployed in any cause of accident, you’ll need to reset it. If not, you must get another airbag installed.

Can I drive a car with an airbag light on?

Yes,

This is because your car will still move; however, it is totally unsafe as it indicates your airbag may not deploy in an accident. This leaves you and your passengers at risk.

Can we fix the airbag in a car?

There are minor fixes on the airbag system, like resetting it and checking why it illuminates. Anything apart from this should be diagnosed by your mechanic.

Why is my airbag warning light on?

Your car airbag light is on due to a damaged or malfunctioning sensor, which may send incorrect signals to the car’s computer. Also, a depleted battery indicates potential power issues affecting the airbag system.

Can a car drive after airbags deploy?

It is totally unsafe to drive around with no airbag module in your car. After the airbag deploys, you will need to get another one installed to protect you and your passenger from future collisions.

airbag system in a car

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top