Reasons Why Air Bag Light is On
Reasons Why Air Bag Light is On: Air bag system is a secondary restraint safety system installed as standard equipment on modern vehicles since late 1990s. Air bag works by cushioning collision forces and reducing vehicle occupants injuries.
Air Bag (or SRS Secondary Restrain System) warning light indicates there is a problem with Air Bag system. In case of an accident air bags might not deploy at all or deploy improperly.
Inoperative Air Bag system do not impede operation of vehicle in any way, a car can normally be driven with SRS or Air Bag warning light on. However, air bags are an important safety system and should be checked as soon as possible.
Air bag are a secondary restraint safety system installed as standard equipment on modern vehicles since late 1990s. Air bag works by cushioning collision forces and reducing vehicle occupants injuries. More details here on How Air Bags Work.
Why Air Bag Warning is On
Seat belt sensors: Seat belts minimize injuries by keeping vehicle occupants in their seats an accident. Collision forces and sudden stops will push vehicle occupants towards front windshield and dashboard causing head and torso injuries.
Seat belts prevent sudden forward movements reducing injuries. Seat belts are equipped with sensors to detect whenever seat belt latch is latched properly. A malfunction of seat belt latch mechanism or sensor will trigger an Air Bag or SRS warning light.
Seat belt Tensioner
Seat belts have a tensioner system which pulls seat belt tighter in case of sudden forward movement or collision. A fault on one of seat belt tensioner sensors will trigger SRS or Air Bag warning light.
Wiring and electrical connectors of seat belt sensors are located under vehicle seats. Check for loose connections or corrosion on air bag electrical connectors under vehicle seats.
Clock Spring
Clock spring is located on your car steering wheel. It links your steering wheel to your car, allowing for turning movements of steering wheel while keeping uninterrupted electrical contact between steering wheel and vehicle. A problem with steering clock spring will affect air bag system operation.
SRS System Wiring
interruption or corrosion between air bag system sensors and air bag control unit (ACU) due to faulty or corroded wiring will trigger an Air bag warning indicator.
Vehicle Seat Sensors
Vehicle seats are equipped with sensors to determine occupant position (driver side) or if a seat is occupied (passenger side).
If passenger seat is not occupied, SRS control unit will prevent passenger air bags from deploying in a collision. Malfunctions of Air Bag seat positioning sensors will trigger an Air Bag Warning.
Air Bag Control Module (ACU)
Faults within SRS system main control unit or (ACU) will trigger an Air Bag warning light as a general indication of SRS system malfunction.
What to do if Air Bag (SRS) warning light comes on
Air Bag warning light does not interfere with normal vehicle operation, vehicle can be driven normally. However, Air Bag system might be inoperative, drive carefully until you can have SRS system diagnosed professionally.
If you have an OBDII scanner, you can read SRS trouble codes to pinpoint the problem. However, complexity of SRS system often requires professional diagnostics and servicing.
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