What Does the Airbag Light Mean?
All modern cars now have multiple Airbags or Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS). These Airbags are now
standard features for drivers and passengers and are in the driver’s steering wheel, dash, pillars, and elsewhere.
Airbag warning light examples
Airbags are controlled by an Airbag Electronic Control Unit (Airbag ECU) sometimes called an Airbag Computer. The Airbag Computer must monitor many electronic sensors and actuators within your car in order to know when to deploy the Airbag in the event of an accident/crash.
When the airbag light is on, it means that the system may not deploy properly in the event of an accident. The airbag light is usually red or amber in color and appears as an icon of a person with a deployed airbag in front of them.
Some of the key Airbag sensors and actuators are:
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- Air bag module (with an inflator or gas generator and the actual air bag),
- Crash sensors / gravity or G sesnors
- Airbag Electronic Control Unit (Airbag ECU) / Airbag Computer
- Clock spring steering wheel connecting coil,
- Airbag warning / indicator light
- Electrical wiring harness (usually colored yellow to indicate wiring for Airbags)
As the Airbag / SRS system is a critical safety feature of your vehicle, then if your Airbag light is on at Warrant of Fitness (WoF) inspection time, then your car will fail a WoF.
Causes of airbag light turning on:
There are several different reasons why the airbag light may come on, such as:
- Malfunctioning Airbag Sensor: The airbag system includes sensors that detect impact and trigger the deployment of the airbags. If one or more of these sensors is faulty, it can cause the airbag light to come on.
- Wiring Issues: The airbag system is connected to the car’s electrical system with wiring, and if there is a problem with the wiring or a loose connection, it can cause the airbag light to come on.
- Malfunctioning Airbag Control Module: The airbag control module is the computer that controls the airbag system, and if it malfunctions, it can cause the airbag light to come on.
- Faulty Clock Spring: The clock spring is a component in the steering wheel that allows the airbag system to communicate with the car’s electrical system. If the clock spring is faulty or not working correctly, it can cause the airbag light to come on.
Airbag Light Diagnosis and Repairs
We have come across many common causes of Airbag / SRS lights on. These include bad connections often under the front seats from corrosion, items being put under the seats which damage the connectors, and poor electrical contacts. We also see many faults where the clock spring in the steering wheel has an intermittent connection.
At Grimmer Motors our experienced, fully trained and qualified mechanics combined with the latest state of the art scan tools can quickly and cost effectively diagnose and repair any Airbag / SRS faults. This means you get complete peace knowing your car is safe to drive for you and your passengers / family.
Call us now to book in your Airbag / SRS scan for the light on your dash.
Please Note: Electronic Tests depend on the vehicle technology and may not be possible on some vehicles.
Live/work in any of the following areas? Grimmer Motors could be extra convenient for you.
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- Fairfield
- Fairview Downs
- Enderly
- Claudelands
- Peachgrove
- Hamilton East
- Chartwell
- Chedworth
- Central Hamilton
- Forest Lake, Beerescourt
- Frankton
- Melville
- Waikato