One of the most vital safety features in any vehicle is the airbag. Or, well, airbags. It’s a mechanism that, when deployed, saves lives especially when accidents or car crashes occur. That said, when the airbag light turns on in the car, most people tend to ignore it completely or put off having it checked out. Instead of questioning it or asking a professional why the airbag light comes on, they go about their day like nothing happened. There is zero effort to actually figure out the cause of it being on in the first place.
In truth, the very name of an airbag warning light means that immediate attention should be paid whenever it’s on. The best course of action would be to figure out what triggered the light to turn on in the first place. This will help in ensuring that everyone in the car is safe at all times.
What Causes an Airbag Light to Turn On?
It should be noted that all dashboard lights flicker when an engine is started. It’s a very brief flash, no more than a second or three. That’s because the overall computer system of the vehicle is doing a quick check to see it’s all running well. If that’s the case, the dashboard lights will then turn themselves off. Should the airbag light still be on afterwards, then something is wrong with the mechanism and the car’s detected it. At that point, the airbag needs to be looked at immediately.
What’s the Best Thing to Do When the Airbag Warning Light Is On?
All vehiches have a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) within. This is what the airbag system belongs to overall. When the light is on, if the problem is not with the airbags themselves, then it only means the seatbelts need checking as well. There are SRS sensors under all car seats, allowing it to tell whether there’s someone in a seat or not. That way, an airbag will only deploy for occupied seats. All told, an airbag warning light is essentially a clear indication of problems with sensors, airbags, or seatbelts.
As previously mentioned, the best course of action is for an immediate vehicle inspection. Between the auto repair shop and the garage, however, there are some things the driver/owner can inspect for themselves. This includes the seat belt buckle, which may have coins or crumbs of food getting in the sensor’s way. Tugging on the seat belts to check if they’re stuck is another way. Barring those two, check the area under the seats in case a wire or two got accidentally disconnected. No matter what, though, the dismantling of an airbag unit should not be part of any inspection unless done by a professional. This is due to the explosive charge that’s dangerous enough to be fatal.
Conclusion
When the airbag warning light comes on, most people tend to not pay immediate attention or just don’t get it. This is the wrong reaction and can lead to rather dangerous circumstances. Aside from the second or two it flickers when a car starts, an airbag warning light coming on needs immediate attention from a professional.
In need of help with your airbag light? Reach out to Safety Restore! We are the world’s leader in post-accident restorations specializing in seat belt repairs and airbag modules. We are located in Westfield, MA.
