Airbags are an important factor in the safety of your vehicle — and not just the driver’s seat. It’s often thought that airbags are only used to protect the driver and front-seat passenger.
In fact, most bags are designed to protect the driver, front-seat passenger, rear-seat passengers, and occasionally, the driver’s knee. With all of these people in danger of serious injury in a crash, it’s important to have a way to check the status of your airbag system when the airbag light comes on.
The Basics of Airbag Systems
The airbag system is designed as a supplemental restraint system, designed to provide extra protection for the driver and passenger(s) in the event of a collision. The system is comprised of the control module and the airbag module. The control module is responsible for monitoring and deciding when to deploy the airbag.
The airbag module is responsible for deploying the airbag. This may be done in combination with a seat belt tensioner or a crash sensor to guard against an unbelted passenger. In some cases, the airbag module may also be used to deploy a seat belt tensioner and/or a crash sensor.
The hazard light indicator is used to inform a driver or passenger that there is a problem with the active safety system, perhaps caused by a defective control module or a faulty airbag module.
Common FAQs About Airbag Systems
1. Why is My Airbag Light On?
The airbag light indicates that there is a problem with the active safety system, perhaps caused by a defective control module or a faulty airbag module. The airbag light may be on for one of several reasons:
- The control module has determined that the airbag is not safe to deploy. This may mean that the airbag module has deployed, that there is a problem with the airbag module, or that there is a problem with the sensing system that prevents the airbags from deploying;
- Your airbag module needs a reset after experiencing a crash accident, so it turns on as a reminder to replace your system;
- The light may have randomly turned on;
If you believe your light is on as a result of a crash, you should seek the service of a professional technician who is certified in airbag deployment and replacement.
2. Should I Reset My Airbag Module, or Purchase a Used One?
If your airbag light is on because your airbag module needs a reset after experiencing a crash, the best thing you can do is take it to a professional technician who is certified in airbag deployment and replacement.
However, if the light comes on randomly, you may want to reset your airbag module anyways. The best thing to do, however, is to take your car to a professional technician and have them check out the light. If you purchase a used module on the spot, you might have more trouble in your hands than solutions.
The Bottom Line: Getting Your Airbag Module Checked When the Light Turns On
It’s important to have your airbag light checked out by a professional technician who is certified in airbag deployment and replacement. Airbags are an important safety feature in your vehicle, and it’s important that they work properly in an accident.
How Can We Help You?
After a vehicular accident, there are a plethora of repairs that need to be done for your car. One of the most important is to ensure that you restore the safety of your vehicle — that’s where Safety Restore comes in.
We are the leading post-accident restorations company specializing in seat belt repairs and airbag module reset. Besides that, we also provide webbing replacements and instrument cluster repairs.
You can trust us with your safety — get in touch with us today!