Airbags are an important safety feature in vehicles. They are designed to deploy in a collision to protect the driver and passengers from serious injury. If your airbag light won't turn off, it means that there is a problem with the airbag system, and it should be repaired as soon as possible. Failing to do so could put your life at risk in the event of a collision.
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Your vehicle relies on the airbag light to communicate with you internal issues. The airbag light on your dashboard is a safety reminder that comes with some very important instructions. It's telling you to take care of the warning to keep yourself and your passengers safe. And it's not just about following traffic laws, either; there are also steps you need to take in case of an accident.
It's not rare to deal with issues related to the airbag light. For example, if you notice that your airbag light is on, there could be an issue with the system that needs to be addressed.
This article provides detailed information about the main airbag issues, recommendations regarding what to do when the airbag light comes on and how to reset it.
How does an airbag work?
An airbag is an inflatable device anchored to the steering wheel, the passenger side of your dashboard, or both. When an accident occurs, and the unit detects a sudden deceleration in your vehicle, it instantly deploys inside of its housing.
The bag inflates with very powerful chemical propellants designed to fire off extremely fast upon deployment. This generates massive amounts of energy that fill up the entire area inside the bag. The pressure filling the airbag helps prevent you from crashing into the steering wheel, dashboard, or even bouncing around your car like a pinball.
Whenever your airbag deploys, it has to push its way through the deflated bag covering it up. That's why you will hear a hard ‘POP!' and see smoke coming out of the plastic bag when it goes off.
Even if your airbag light won't turn off, this process is very safe. However, some serious injuries can be caused by an airbag deployment in one way or another.
What causes the airbag light to come on?
The airbag light comes on when there is a problem with the system. The most common causes of this issue are:
• An impact on your car's sensors
• A malfunction in the system
• Airbag issues due to age or misuse
If you notice that your airbag light has come on, take note of a few details. First, if the light stayed on for a while and then went off, it means that there is no issue with your vehicle. You have to reset the light by disconnecting the battery from your car for 10 minutes. But if it comes back on after driving, you'll want to take action right away to make sure that you and your passengers remain safe on the road.
What to do if the airbag light comes on?
When the airbag light comes on, you need to follow these steps:
• Do not panic
It might be a little scary situation when you see the airbag light turned on. However, you need to stay calm and ensure that no one in your car panics. Keep your passengers informed about the situation and what you will be doing next.
• Pull over when it's safe to do so
If the airbag light is blinking or flashing, pull over in a safe spot near a curb. Ensure that the area is clear of traffic, and then turn off your engine.
• Check for any airbags that have been activated
In most cases, if the light stayed on after you drove a little bit, it means that no airbag inflated. Just wait a few minutes and see whether your airbag system has been activated or not.
If your airbag has been deployed, it will not be able to inflate again for the rest of your car's life or until you have fully replaced it. Your vehicle might also need to go through a technical inspection before it can be driven again.
• Check for any signs of an impact or damage to your vehicle
If you notice that there has been an impact, no matter how small, get your car checked by a professional right away. A chipped windshield or small crack in the hood may seem harmless, but a collision could have caused it. In this case, it's better to be safe than sorry.
• Check the airbag for any signs of damage or failure
If you notice that there has been no impact and your airbag looks fine, it means that the issue lies within your car's system. You'll need to take your vehicle to a repair shop so they can check out what went wrong. If the technician notices parts needing replacement, you could get them replaced on-site, depending on where you go next. But if not, you may need to reset the light.
What to do when the airbag light doesn't turn off?
In some instances, the airbag light won't turn off no matter what you do. Therefore, it's essential to understand when the airbag light doesn't turn off?
The good news is that this problem is very common, and automotive experts recommend following these steps to resolve the issue related to airbag lights won't turn off:
• Get your car checked by a mechanic as soon as possible
In some cases, the airbag light won't turn off because of a bigger issue with your car. The safest thing you can do in this situation is to get it checked by a mechanic as soon as possible. It would help if you always had your safety in mind, so it's better to take care of the problem now instead of waiting for more complications.
• Have your car checked after an accident
If you had a recent collision, there is a good chance that this may be the reason why your airbag won't turn off. If this is the case, make sure you get your car checked by a mechanic. It's important to understand the damage done if any. If you need help with repairing or replacing parts to fix this problem, it may be best to take the vehicle to a professional that specializes in these types of repairs.
• And finally… reset your airbag light!
If none of these solve the problem and you can't get your airbag light turned off, it's time to reset the light and hope for better luck next time!
How to reset the airbag light?
As we mentioned before, some cars won't let their drivers continue driving until the airbag light turns off. So if yours is one of them, follow these steps:
Step one: Make sure that the ignition is turned off.
This step is very important, so pay attention! If you don't turn your key far enough, the car will turn right back on, and your airbag light won't go away. You can tell when you reach the point where it turns off because you will hear a distinct clicking sound.
Step two: Hold your head against the steering wheel and repeatedly press the “On” button located inside of your car
Don't release this button until you see the airbag light turn off. Unfortunately, if this doesn't work either, you probably won't be able to drive without getting checked out at my mechanic first. It's only safe to do so if there were no signs of impact or damage before resetting it yourself.
Perform this step for three to five minutes after turning your key off
And that's pretty much it! You should now start driving again without any issues related to the airbag light turning off. If you had a collision by any chance, be sure to get it checked as soon as possible.
What to do if your car doesn't have an airbag?
And what if your car doesn't have an airbag? It can be more complicated to reset the light on some cars without them. If the car's made after 1999, you should still be able to find it in the vehicle's manual. You'll have to look under the “Air Bags” section.
If your car was made before 1999, you should reset it yourself. But if this is not the case, you'll need to take the vehicle in for a check-up at a garage.
Airbags light issues: FAQs
This section will answer some of the most common questions related to airbag lights.
What does it mean when your airbag light won't go off?
This means that your car's computer detected a malfunction in the airbag system. This could be due to an impact or damage, but most likely, you'll need to take the vehicle in for a check-up at my mechanic.
Can the airbag light reset itself?
Sometimes the airbag light can reset itself. This means that a temporary issue caused the problem, and it will go away on its own. This is not something you should bank on, though. Get your car checked out as soon as possible, especially after a crash.
Is it illegal to drive with an airbag light on?
This depends on where you live. For example, if your country requires you to drive with both of your headlights on, driving without the airbag light is illegal. However, some countries do not have this requirement, so it will be perfectly fine to drive with the airbag light turned on.
Can a blown fuse cause the airbag light to come on?
Blown fuses can cause the airbag light to come on, but this is not the most likely reason it would be turned on. More than likely, it's due to an impact or damage.
Can I pass inspection with the airbag light on?
You can still pass inspection with the airbag light on in most countries. However, if your country requires both headlights to be on while driving, you will not be able to pass inspection with the airbag light turned on.
How much does it cost to replace an airbag sensor?
The cost of replacing an airbag sensor varies from one vehicle to the next. When you take your car in for a check-up, my mechanic will give you a quote for the repairs.
How does one know if the airbag needs to be replaced?
This depends on how old your car is. If your car is less than five years old, it's recommended that you get the airbag replaced right away. If your car is older than five years, you have to wait for the airbag warning light to come on. Once this happens, you should get it checked as soon as possible.
Does insurance cover airbag replacement?
You can check with your insurance company, but they usually cover the cost of replacing the airbag.
When you're at my mechanic discussing car repairs, ask them to reset the airbag light. It should be free of charge, and you can continue driving with peace of mind.
Will disconnecting the battery reset the airbag light?
In most cases disconnecting the battery will not reset the airbag light. This is because the computer needs to record a voltage drop, and it has a life span of about five years. If the problem was caused by a temporary issue that went away, then you might have been lucky enough to reset it. Otherwise, you will need to take the vehicle in for a check-up or replace the airbag.
Where are airbag sensors located?
There are sensors in the steering wheel, in the seat, and along the car's sides. You can ask my mechanic to give you an exact location if you want to replace them yourself.
Conclusion
Regardless of the cause, the airbag light is a warning that something needs to be fixed. It might not need repair right away, but it's important to take your vehicle in for maintenance as soon as possible. Your mechanic can tell you what repairs are needed and help reset any issues with the airbag light if they have the know-how. The last thing you want is an accident because this notification wasn't addressed promptly enough!