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why does my airbag light keep coming on and off

by Javier Collier Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What Can Cause the Airbag Light to Come On?

  1. Airbag Deactivated. The most common cause for the airbag light coming on is that the airbag system is deactivated or turned off.
  2. Seat Belt Issue. Like previously mentioned, not putting on your seat belt could cause the airbag light to come on. ...
  3. Small Accident. ...
  4. Water Damage. ...
  5. Airbag System Not Reset. ...

If your airbag has been deployed and has not been properly reset, the airbag light will be on. If the airbag hasn't been deployed, the light will come on when the system senses that it cannot activate the airbag; this means that there is some sort of a problem with the airbag system in your vehicle.

Full Answer

What causes airbag light to come on?

  • Reset the airbag system
  • If the sensors fail, work on them and remove the worn-out or faulty ones.
  • If there is corrosion in the airbag systems or parts, clean them out.
  • If the issues result from the seat belt when not put on or the computer system doesn’t sense proper security, then do it to avoid airbag light coming on.

More items...

Why is my passenger airbag off light turned on?

Troubleshooting an Airbag Warning Light- Getting The Help You Need

  • Help Me Troubleshoot My Airbag Light Coming On! Unfortunately, there is no quick or easy way to troubleshoot the issue of your airbag light coming on.
  • Clearing the Airbag and the Light. Before using your airbag and making your airbag light shut off, the airbag ECU has to be cleared. ...
  • Get Your Mechanic Involved. ...
  • Try not to Drive. ...

Is it illegal to drive with airbag light on?

While it is not advisable to drive with the airbag light illuminated, you will not face criminal charges for doing so. Local and state rules have no bearing on whether or not you drive with your dashboard lights on. With these lights on, though, you may have difficulty passing a state inspection.

Why does your Saturn Ion ABS light stay on?

Your Saturn Ion’s ABS Light comes on when it fails a self diagnostic cycle. When on, it indicates that the Ion does not have Anti-Lock brakes, and the safety they provide. Your Ion’s ABS system uses a system of sensors to determine wheel speed when braking. If one of the wheels is starting to lock up, it’ll apply the maximum amount of brake to that wheel in order to keep it from sliding.

Why does my airbag light come on sometimes?

When this light is on, that means your airbags are deactivated. It means they will not deploy properly if you get into an accident. If your car's battery has drained recently, it may have also depleted the backup battery that powers the airbags.

How much does it cost to fix airbag light?

Number 1 -- Reset Airbag Light This process can take several hours of time and usually costs a few hundred dollars, although depending upon the type of car it may be up to about $600.

Can you drive a car with airbag light on?

It doesn't necessarily mean that the car isn't safe to drive but it's like playing with fire if you do. When this light is on it means your safety system isn't working at 100% and in some cases, it could mean that your airbags are disabled and will not deploy in an accident.

Can a blown fuse cause the airbag light to come on?

There are many possible fuses that could be behind this, but fuse #13 is a likely culprit. If your airbag light is on and your rear windshield wiper doesn't work, then it's a pretty good indication that you need to change fuse #13 and possibly others. Blown fuses can definitely cause the airbag light to come on.

Can an airbag randomly go off?

Although airbags are intended to protect drivers and passengers in the event of an accident, occasionally, however, they can deploy randomly, or they can fail to deploy in a car crash and cause severe injuries to all car occupants.

How do I get my airbag light to turn off?

Conclusion – How to Reset Airbag LightTurn your ignition on and off.Restart your vehicle and do a test drive.Examine the passenger airbag switch.Inspect whether seat belts are fastened or working correctly.Verify that the passenger seat sensor is not applied.Use a scanner with an SRS or airbag light reset option.More items...

Will my airbags deploy if my airbag light is on?

The light coming on tells you that there's a problem with your car's airbag system. The first and most important thing to remember if your airbag warning light comes on is that, should you be involved in an accident, your airbags will not deploy.

How long can you drive with airbag light?

When the airbag light illuminates, it means that there is a problem with the system. Most likely, the airbag will not deploy in an accident because of this fault. Therefore, it is not recommended that you drive the vehicle until you have the system repaired. You should never ignore the vital warning.

What does the seatbelt with airbag light mean?

The airbag light indicates that something is wrong with the seatbelts or airbags. This means that it's probably not safe to drive with the airbag light on. If it stays illuminated in your vehicle, we recommend having it towed to the dealership rather than driving it yourself.

Can airbag light reset itself?

Luckily, in many car models, the airbag light will also go away by itself if you have repaired the problem. In some older cars, though, it is possible to reset the airbag light without a scanner by removing the car battery terminals.

Where is the airbag sensor?

0:273:42How an Airbag Sensor Works - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis here's where the frame connects to the bumper rebar. This is the airbag sensor to remove itMoreThis here's where the frame connects to the bumper rebar. This is the airbag sensor to remove it there's one 12 millimeter bolt and one electrical connector that needs to be removed.

How do you check an airbag fuse?

1:424:22Airbag Light Stays On - Cheap and Easy Fix! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSystem with it. So here's our 10 amp fuse this is fuse number two it's right up here near the top.MoreSystem with it. So here's our 10 amp fuse this is fuse number two it's right up here near the top. Top. Left hand corner. And.

Causes of why the airbag goes on and off

Therefore, if your car’s airbag light goes on and off, the likely issues could be a faulty airbag system, the sensor may be malfunctioning, its wiring could be damaged or its signal may have issues; however, other problems can be subjective to the cause.

Solutions to Airbag lights coming on and off

Every light signal that is set to show a hazard in you when it appears shouldn’t be taken carelessly. Airbag lights coming on and off is a common issue with cars and can be terrible to new car users, and this should be attended to immediately.

Can I drive with the airbag light that goes on and off?

Whenever the airbag light comes on and off, it is a sign of an issue with the system that needs an immediate fix. This, therefore, means that it is not safe to drive with an airbag light that goes on and off.

Can a blown fuse cause the airbag light to come on and off?

A blown fuse can cause an airbag light to come on and off but only If the blown fuse is directly related to the airbag system. However, although this is the main cause of this light, other issues can make an airbag light come on unexpectedly.

Can the airbag light reset itself after a while?

Once you start your car, its computer runs diagnostics to determine if your vehicle systems are defaulted or operating optimally. After the check, the computer will let you know your car’s condition by illuminating it.

How much does it cost to fix the failing airbag sensor?

The airbag sensor is a crucial part of your airbag system for safety measures while driving your car, as it is responsible for ensuring the whole airbag system is ready to respond.

Conclusion

However, working on airbag lights coming on and off without knowing the causes can be tricky if you are doing it yourself. The best idea, in this case, is to seek professionals like mechanics who will help diagnose the main cause and help reset the airbag system properly.

Why won't my airbag light turn off?

Battery Backup is Drained. It’s the most common reason of why your airbag light won’t turn off. It could happen when your car battery is low or has been drained for some reasons. The problem will be gone once the battery is fully recharged. However, the battery could still be on.

Why do airbags work?

The airbags are one of the prime safety features in a car. They protect you from head injuries when there is a serious accident. When the light starts flashing, you should immediately take action to resolve the problems.

How to make airbag light come on?

The first step is to turn the ignition switch on, which will make the airbag light to come on. The light will flash for exactly seven seconds. Once it is off, you have to turn off the ignition within a second. Turn the ignition on again after three seconds. Repeat this process for two or three times and the airbag light will stop flashing.

What does the spring do in a car seat?

The spring does the job of maintaining the continuity between the driver seat’s airbag and electrical wiring. It has some thin circuit bands that may fray or brittle after some time, causing the bag to send a soft-code error report to the airbag control module, which ends up with a flashing light.

Why does my airbag light stay on?

If you see the SRS light on, you must work to know why. It can be due to a variety of reasons including: ● The malfunctioning of airbag sensors: It is common for the sensors to fail. This may cause the sensor to activate all of a sudden for no reason, causing the airbag light to stay on. Replacing the sensors may do the job.

What does it mean when your airbag light is on?

However, unfortunately, most people do not know what it indicates or how serious it can be. When your airbag light is on your instrument cluster, it means that there is an error in your airbag system.

Can a mechanic find the cause of a problem?

You can also be a bit smart and use the OBD2 diagnostic tool to find the problem and hire a mechanic to solve it for you . This way you will be able to save on expenses as most mechanics charge extra to identify the cause of the problem.

What does it mean when your airbag light is on?

When this light is on, that means your airbags are deactivated. It means they will not deploy properly if you get into an accident. Needless to say, this is a serious issue that you will want to get rectified quickly for your safety and the safety of your passengers. There is always a chance that the airbag light is on by accident ...

Why won't my airbag work?

If your vehicle has experienced water damage, it could have affected the airbag module located under the driver and/or passenger seat. If it is shorted out or corroded , it won’t work properly.

Why do my airbags fail?

Otherwise, there are a number of other situations that may cause the airbags to fail: 1. Depleted Airbag Backup Battery. If your car’s battery has drained recently, it may have also depleted the backup battery that powers the airbags.

What happens if you haven't been in an accident yet you are still having airbag issues?

However, what happens when you haven’t been in an accident yet you are still having airbag issues? Your car will tell you by illuminating or flashing the airbag warning light on your dashboard or computer display. When this light is on, that means your airbags are deactivated.

Why do airbags have clock springs?

The airbag clock spring is there to maintain continuity between the electrical wiring of the vehicle and the driver-side airbag. It coils in and out as the steering wheel turns. It can become worn out naturally over time, which causes a poor connection and potential airbag failures.

Is it necessary to repair an airbag?

Posted on 4/3/2018. Airbag repair is not the most common automotive repair service, but it is necessary from time to time. Obviously, if you get in an accident and any of your airbags are deployed, they will need to be replaced and the sensors will need to be reset.

Why is my airbag light not working?

Your airbag light may have been corroded or shorted out due to the water and therefore will fail to work properly.

Why won't my airbag light turn off?

You may know that your airbag light won’t turn off, from your car. Your vehicle will tell you with either a flashing or illuminating light on your computer or dashboard display. When the light is on, this means that your airbags are deactivated. This further means that your airbags will not deploy should they need to.

What does it mean when your airbag light comes on?

With your airbag light coming on, your mechanic will more than likely perform a diagnostic test on the ECU (engine control unit), the electronic control unit or the airbag. In the event that your airbags have not discharged or become activated, and you still see that warning light on, you more than likely have a computer issue.

How much does it cost to fix an airbag light?

And when it comes to fixing that airbag light, the cost to fix the issue can range from a few hundred dollars, to several hundred dollars. Let’s look at approximate costs to fix airbag lights.

What happens if your airbag light is deactivated?

If your airbag light has been deactivated and fails to go off, then chances are your airbags are not open and ready to be deployed. So, this means you need to take the car to a professional ASAP. As we mentioned earlier, you don’t want to drive a car that has non-working airbags.

What is an airbag clock spring?

Airbag Clock Spring that is Damaged. Your vehicle’s airbag clock spring helps to maintain continuity between the driver-side airbag and the electrical wiring of your car. The clock spring also coils out as the steering wheel turns.

Why are airbags so good?

Airbags are one of the best inventions ever, as they protect us upon impact from a collision. But what happens when that airbag fails to work and risks being faulty, should that airbag be deployed?

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