If your car’s airbag light is on, the problem may not be the actual airbag. Instead, it’s a warning about a problem with the system. Here are a few common causes of an airbag light. If your airbag light is on, there are a few things you can do to fix it. Read on to learn more about the common causes of an airbag light coming on.
Common causes of an airbag light coming on
You may have noticed your car’s airbag light is on at the start of a trip. If this is the case, you can continue to drive, but it’s not advisable. You’ll be going without airbag protection if you can’t see the light. It’s essential to be aware of your surroundings and never drive with an airbag malfunction, but if you can’t see it, stop your car. In such cases, contact a breakdown service or take your vehicle to a garage for a diagnostic check. They can help you to identify the issue and repair it.
There are several possible causes of the airbag light coming on. Depending on the cause, and it could be a problem with your vehicle’s airbag sensors. These sensors are built into your seat and may malfunction. Sometimes, you may accidentally switch them to “Off” by accident. You can check this by opening the glove compartment or the passenger door. The airbag sensors might also have a problem with their backup batteries, which will trigger the light. You should insert a new battery into the airbag sensors to reset them.
Other possible causes of an airbag warning light include a faulty steering wheel clockspring. The clockspring is responsible for flicking the steering wheel back to center after turning, and it serves as an electrical link between the dashboard, horn, and airbag. When a steering wheel is worn, it will temporarily loosen the connection between the steering wheel and the airbag sensors. To restore this connection, you can manually turn the steering wheel to full lock in both directions, which will restart the airbag sensors.
Resetting an airbag light
First, you should reset the sensor in the seatbelt if you’re experiencing an airbag light issue. This component is relatively inexpensive but is prone to damage. Depending on the brand and model, replacing the sensor may cost more than 200 dollars. You can check the code for free at O’Reilly’s or AutoZone if you want to do it yourself. A broken airbag clockspring is one of the most common causes of an airbag light. A replacement clockspring costs approximately 300 dollars, plus labor.
Another common cause of an airbag light is a blown a fuse. However, the fuse must be related to the airbag system to trigger the light. In some cases, other problems can also start the airbag light to come on. These include a malfunction in the airbag system, a broken seat belt sensor, damaged wiring under the seat, or incorrect data details. The light will typically reset itself after a short period.
You can scan the vehicle for codes if a simple reset cannot fix the problem. This will help you figure out what is causing the light. In addition to the battery, another possible cause is a defective crash sensor. Crash sensors are electrical components that can fail due to damage or age. So again, resetting an airbag light can help restore safety to your vehicle.
Fixing an airbag light
Were you trying to fix an airbag light on your Chevrolet? Hopefully, this article can help you. If you cannot reset the light manually, you can use an OBD2 scanner to read trouble codes. You can try several different methods, including examining the seat belts and passenger airbag switch. This article is geared toward Chevrolet models. For other vehicles, consult a mechanic.
The first step is to identify the source of the problem. The problem lies with the sensors if the light is coming on when the airbags have not deployed. You can corrode the sensors, or wiring may have come loose under the front seats. Sometimes, this wiring is knocked loose by moving seats or from trash stuffed under the passenger seat. If you can’t figure out the cause of the problem yourself, consult with a mechanic immediately.
A mechanic can usually diagnose the problem by examining the code. They can diagnose the problem for free at places such as AutoZone or O’Reilly’s. Generally, the most common cause of an airbag light is a broken clock spring. The most common fix for this is to replace the clockspring. This component costs approximately $300, and labor can cost another hundred dollars. Ultimately, it is better to spend the money on replacing rather than repairing the airbag itself.
