You should pay attention to the dashboard lights for the engine and airbags if they come on, especially the airbag light because of how crucial it is for your safety. Airbags are intended to deploy during an accident or crash, but they won’t do so if the airbag light is on. So how can you reset the airbag light?
Well, don’t worry; we’ll get to discuss that in this article. We’ll also get to discuss if it is good to drive with the airbag light on and the frequently asked questions about resetting an airbag light.
Read more: How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Airbag?
Let’s get to it.
Contents
How to reset an airbag light
Here’s how to reset an airbag light:
Turn the ignition on and off.
The ignition switch should first be turned on. Next, watch for the airbag light to illuminate; it typically does so after seven seconds and stays on until it automatically turns off. After that, turn off the ignition switch right away and wait three seconds.
Before starting the engine, go through the basic procedures a couple of times. Your car’s airbag light should illuminate for seven seconds before turning off completely if everything is done correctly.
Take a quick test drive.
Restart your ignition and take a quick test drive. Check the electrical system under the driver’s and passenger’s seats before restarting your car. Inspect the connector plug for any corrosion or loose wires.
If none, spray an electronic cleaner onto the connector plugs. To see if the light shuts off automatically, drive for 3 to 5 minutes. If you drive around for a while in certain makes and models, the airbag light may go off.
Either the sensor that identifies if someone is in your passenger seat needs to cycle several times to acquire an accurate reading or the light is intended to remain on as the systems come online.
Locate and check the passenger airbag switch.
When trying to turn off the airbag light, one of the things to check is the passenger seat airbag on/off button, which is only present in some vehicles. It’s possible that someone accidentally turned it off, leaving the airbag light on. When you open the glove box or passenger door, you will be able to see this button, which is often on the passenger-side dashboard.
Check the seat belts to ensure that they are working properly.
Your airbag light can come on because of a defective seat belt. Plug each seat belt in individually to ensure that it clicks before pressing the button to release it while your car is running.
Your car might believe that a seat is occupied and that the light should stay on if any of the seat belts are defective or fail to latch securely. Most cars’ airbag sensors activate when the seatbelt is fastened, with the idea of determining whether an adult is seated on the passenger side. A broken seatbelt may interfere with the sensor.
Verify if the passenger weight sensor was triggered.
Most cars have a passenger weight sensor that is highly sensitive. The issue with these particular vehicles is that placing a heavy box or container on the passenger seat is all it takes to trigger the sensors. The airbag light, therefore, comes on.
Either remove the object from the passenger seat or fasten the seatbelt to solve this problem. If either resolves the issue, it will prove that the sensor was engaged, letting the airbag light come on.
Utilize an OBD-II scanner to reset the codes.
In order to reset your airbag light, you can buy a scanner with SRS capabilities if you’re mechanically inclined. Just be aware that not all OBD-II tools can automatically reset the airbag light. It’s wise to do some research before buying an OBD-II scanner with the features you require.
The diagnostic link connector (DLC) underneath your steering wheel is where you should connect your OBD II scanner. To find the underlying fault, run a scan and examine the code displayed on the screen.
Go to see a mechanic if the airbag light still won’t turn off. A worn-out clock spring inside your airbag’s control module, a dead backup airbag battery, or a corroded terminal inside the airbag system is commonly the reasons why the airbag light is illuminating. In rare cases, your airbag may need to be serviced.
It could be necessary to replace the sensors. In any case, get a mechanic to examine and repair it. This is not a DIY job unless you’re a serious amateur mechanic. Diagnoses and adjustments must be made to the delicate electrical systems in control of life-saving emergency systems.
Is it safe to drive with the airbag light on?
The answer would be no because, despite the fact that it’s still possible for the airbags to deploy with the light on, doing so would be highly hazardous in the case of an accident.
We suggest having a professional examine it and determine the issue so that it may be corrected immediately. When the SRS warning or the airbag light appears, they should not be ignored.
Driving the car anyway would be risky, even though that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is unreliable. If this light is on, your safety system isn’t functioning properly.
Watch the video below to learn more on how to reset an airbag light:
Read more: Understanding Airbag Sensors
FAQs
How much does it cost to reset the airbag light?
Before you continue to drive the car, you must get an expert to check the airbags. This process usually takes several hours and costs a few hundred dollars, though depending on the car, it might cost as much as $600.
Will disconnecting the battery reset the airbag light?
If the airbag light is on in your car, you should get it checked out by a professional right away. You can try disconnecting the battery, but this won’t address the underlying issue. A mechanic can identify the problem and make the necessary repairs.
What would cause the airbag light to come on?
The airbag light will be on if your airbag has been deployed and it has not been properly reset. The light will turn on if the airbag hasn’t been deployed and the system detects that it can’t activate the airbag, which indicates that there is a problem with the airbag system in your car.
Will an airbag light clear itself?
The backup battery that powers the airbags may have also run out if your car’s main battery recently drained. If the battery is fully charged again, it could automatically correct the issue, but if not, the sensor will need to be reset and the backup battery recharged.
Is it OK to drive with the airbag light on?
Driving with your airbag light on may not be immediately harmful, but if your airbags fail to deploy when you need them most, that will be a serious problem. If you want to be able to rely on your car to be safe to drive, fix the problem as soon as the airbag light turns on.
Why will my airbag light not go off?
A problem with the seatbelts or airbags is indicated by the airbag light. Therefore, it’s usually not a good idea to drive when the airbag light is on. We advise having it towed to the dealership rather than driving it yourself if it continues to flash inside your car.
Can a blown fuse cause the airbag light to come on?
The airbag warning light may mistakenly turn on if there is a short in the rear wiper motor or circuit (which results in the blowing of a fuse).
Can a scanner reset the airbag light?
No, scanners are unable to remove these codes. These codes, which are also known as crash data, are kept after a car accident.
Can you reset the airbag module?
All airbag control modules can be reset and reprogrammed, with the exception of those that have hardware damage from water, burn, or another incident. Accident-related hard and soft codes are stored in airbag control modules.
How long does it take to reset the airbag module?
Replacing the module in your car and confirming that the reset was successful would be the last step. Your SRS light should turn off in 6 seconds. You can check the tech-stream software in your car to make sure there aren’t any new codes or errors.
Will a car run without an airbag fuse?
The airbag module is not required for a vehicle to operate; nonetheless, unless an emergency situation arises and there is no other way to proceed, it is strongly advised that drivers not operate the vehicle without it installed.
That is all for this article, where we discussed how to reset an airbag light. We also get to discuss if it is good to drive with the airbag light on and the frequently asked questions about resetting an airbag light.
I hope you learn a lot from reading this article. If you do, kindly share it with others. Thanks for reading; see you around!
