What Are The Possible Causes of My Airbag Light Turning On?

When the airbag light turns on in your dashboard, something is wrong with your car. The airbag light can become defective for many reasons, but the most common one is that the sensor is failing or tripping. Before you drive your car again, make sure you determine the problem and address it immediately. 

This article will help you identify if a faulty passenger seat is a reason behind the sensor defect.  

The Problem With the Passenger Seat Sensor 

Most car manufacturers install a sensor at the front passenger seat called the mass sensor. This sensor helps the system detect when a person is sitting and how much they weigh. It is also responsible for measuring the car's impact and determining when to deploy the airbags. It is also intelligent enough to determine if the person sitting on the car seat is a child. It makes sure not to deploy the airbag to prevent injuring the child. 

However, it is also one of the most faulty features in a car, and the last thing you want is for your airbag to deploy when it is not necessary. This can result in broken bones and severe injuries.

How to Know If Your Airbag Light Problem Is Because of It

The only way to determine if the passenger occupancy sensor is the problem is by using an airbag scanner or hiring an expert to do it for you. Here are some signs that could tell you something is wrong with your SRS:

• Your airbag light is on, and it does not go off.
• The screen message says any of the following:
• Restraint system defective
• Restraint system fault
• Restraint system malfunction
• Fault in passenger restraint system affecting airbag

How a Seat Belt Bypass Emulator Can Help

One way to disable the seatbelt light or beeping sound is by using a seat belt emulator. It works by communicating to the system that your passenger seat is occupied, the seatbelt is always fastened, and the occupancy sensor is installed and working. That way, the airbag would still deploy should there be an accident. 

However, here are the facts that you should keep in mind. 

• When caught in an accident, a car with a seat belt bypass emulator would always deploy the airbag, regardless if someone is sitting on the airbag or not. Be sure not to let your child sit in the passenger seat for safety reasons.
• Because the system is not detecting a fault in the seatbelt, make sure that the person sitting on the passenger seat is wearing their seatbelt. 
• In some countries, modifying the system is considered illegal. Make sure to double-check with your regulations.  
• Do not forget to tell your buyer about your modification should you consider selling your car. 

Once the installation is a success, you would see the seat belt reminder chime turn on because it detects a person sitting in the passenger seat. Expect the airbag light to remain until you clear the codes through an airbag scanner.

Conclusion

If you find yourself with the same problem, know that the issue presented here is only one of the many possible causes. It would still be best to consult with an expert to determine the real cause of the unstable airbag light. Besides finding out the problem, they could immediately fix it. 

Should you need an SRS airbag module reset in Westfield, MA, schedule an appointment with us. RepairMySRS is an accident restoration company specializing in resetting SRS airbag modules and seat belt repairs. We provide our services nationwide using our bulletproof mail-in system, which guarantees a 24-hour turnaround.