Everything You Need to Know About SRS Airbag Modules

By the end of the fourth quarter in 2019, the United States had 279.6 million vehicles operating, and 6.6 million of those cars were involved in motor vehicle crashes. During the fourth quarter of 2020, there were 281.4 million cars in operation. Despite the drop in car mileage due to the pandemic, some vehicles were still involved in crashes that caused an estimated 42,060 deaths.

Airbags are essential safety innovations that you need to keep you and your passengers safe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s most recent findings support this claim as they estimated that airbags could save 50,457 people in car crashes. But an integral part of the airbag system is the SRS.

What is an SRS, and why is it important? Keep reading to find the answers to these and more.

What Is an Airbag SRS?

SRS stands for Supplemental Restraint System. You can understand SRS as the label that indicates the airbag’s participation in a broader car safety system that often includes safety belts. Some refer to it as the light that signals the functionality of the car’s airbag system, while others describe it as the module that activates the airbag upon impact.

Regardless of which definition you wish to use, the fact of the matter is that SRS intricately links to the airbag system’s identity and functionality. Hence, it is crucial for providing safety for any vehicle driver or passenger.

Why Is the SRS Module Important?

Airbag deployment happens when an ignitor generates enough heat to cause the sodium azide in the airbag system to produce sodium metal and nitrogen gas. The one responsible for triggering the ignitor is the SRS module, otherwise known as Electronic Crash Unit (ECU).

Aside from that, the SRS module is also responsible for receiving and recording crash signals from the car sensors. The SRS acts as the system’s brain that acquires crash signals, determining their value before triggering the ignitor. The data that SRS modules store are fundamental in recreating collisions that the court can go over or study to obtain better ways to keep drivers and passengers safer.

What Causes Damage to an SRS Module?

SRS modules are durable electronic components, for the most part. However, it can’t handle water damage. Moisture can corrode the module and cause all kinds of problems.

In extreme cases, water damage comes from a flood getting in your car. But one of the most common causes of SRS module damage is spilling drinks in the center console. The SRS module is usually in the console between the two front seats, so if you like to put beverages near that area—don’t.

What to Do When SRS Module is Damaged

If your SRS becomes faulty and causes your airbag battery, clock springs, and seat belt latches to go haywire, don’t DIY it. Call a company that provides professional SRS repair services.

SRS module repairs are more affordable than having them replaced with new units. You can also have used modules installed in your car. But those would require SRS airbag module resets so that they can work like new.

Conclusion

Airbags keep you safe, and the SRS airbag modules keep your airbag system functional. The module is the system’s brain that receives sensor signals and initiates the ignitor to take action and inflate the airbags. However, the presence of water damage can disrupt this seamless process. When the SRS module becomes faulty, it can cause an array of problems. Fortunately, you can remedy the situation through SRS module repairs, resets, and replacements.

If you’re looking for one of the best companies that offer top-notch SRS repair services in Westfield, MA, and anywhere in the US, look no further than Repair My SRS! We are a respected accident restoration company that specializes in airbag module services, seat belt repairs, and more. Contact us today, and let’s get that SRS module fixed!