Why Does the Airbag Light Come On?

If you are unsure of what causes the airbag light to come on in a vehicle, let me fill you in.

The airbag light comes on when any part of the airbag system—which consists of the seat belts, impact sensors, the SRS airbag control module, and the actual airbags—is not functioning properly. The airbag light warns the driver that the airbags will not deploy during a collision or sudden stop until the problem is dealt with. Without airbags deploying, the occupants of that vehicle can face serious injury and possibly even death, as they will not be protected in this way.

To avoid driving hazardously, drivers should immediately do everything in their power to get their airbag system working properly again. Oftentimes, the solution lies in the SRS airbag control module. Drivers have the choice to purchase a brand new SRS airbag control module at the dealer or have their present one reset. The first option may sound better, but it costs much more—and honestly, the second option can garner the same results.

If drivers choose to have their present module reset, they can either do it themselves or bring it to a company to get it done. The DIY option certainly does take some work but is still doable. All that is needed is the right software and tools, detailed instructions from online, and patience. The unit needs to be removed from the vehicle, the hard codes and crash data removed, and then the unit can be reinstalled into the car.

Of course, the alternative option may be better for some. The company Safety Restore accepts all kinds of SRS airbag control modules and restores them to factory settings. The company makes sure that all hard codes and crash data are eliminated so that the driver will no longer see their airbag light on their dash. The best thing is that Safety Restore does not charge as much as a brand new unit costs at the dealer.