Why is my Airbag Light on?
If your dashboard airbag or SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) warning light stays illuminated after you start your car, your vehicle's safety computer has detected a problem. When this light is on, it means the system is disabled, and your airbags may fail to deploy in a collision.
Image of airbag warning light, illuminated on instrument cluster
Understanding what triggered the light is the first step toward getting your safety systems back to 100%. Here are the four most common reasons your airbag warning light stays on:
A Faulty Clockspring
The clock spring is a specialized electrical rotary connector located right behind your steering wheel. It maintains electrical continuity between the steering wheel controls (like your horn and airbag) and the rest of the car while you turn the wheel. Over years of turning, the internal ribbon cable can crack or snap, cutting power to the driver’s airbag and triggering the SRS light. A failed clockspring is a common issue that we see on many cars we service at our shop.
Damaged Seatbelt Tensioners or Buckle Switches
Seatbelts do more than just keep you strapped in, they’re actually fully integrated with the airbag system. In the event of a collision, the seatbelts are designed to lock and tighten instantly. If the wiring harness is pinched somewhere or a buckle switch fails, it can cause the airbag light to come on.
Disconnected or Corroded Crash Sensors
Now the crash sensors are crucial to the airbag system. These are highly sophisticated sensors located around various parts of the vehicle, that tell the airbags module where the collision has occurred. If a sensor is exposed to water damaged or has a loose connection, the system will flag a fault code.
A Previously Deployed or Locked Airbag Module
If your car was involved in a previous accident, the crash data can be stored in the module, causing it to be in a locked state. Most of the time, a proper reset or even module replacement is the only way to remove the airbag light.
Don’t Guess with your safety
Driving with an airbag light on, means your collision protection is compromised. If you are experiencing an airbag light and want it diagnosed properly, call us to book an appointment at Toki Auto Works in North Highlands, or stop by our shop for expert electrical diagnostics and airbag light repair.