{"id":2561,"date":"2022-07-07T17:46:14","date_gmt":"2022-07-07T17:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/?p=2561"},"modified":"2023-01-10T04:52:18","modified_gmt":"2023-01-10T04:52:18","slug":"why-is-my-airbag-light-on-and-how-to-reset-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/electronics\/why-is-my-airbag-light-on-and-how-to-reset-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is My Airbag Light On? (And How to Reset It)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you stumbled across this article, you&#8217;re probably sitting vexed behind your dash trying to shut off that lingering airbag light. Much like any other dashboard indicator, a persistent airbag light can stem from many sources varying from downright headache-inducing to a quick thirty-second fix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Why-Is-My-Airbag-Light-On2-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Why Is My Airbag Light On\" class=\"wp-image-2562\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Why-Is-My-Airbag-Light-On2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Why-Is-My-Airbag-Light-On2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Why-Is-My-Airbag-Light-On2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Why-Is-My-Airbag-Light-On2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Why-Is-My-Airbag-Light-On2.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of the severity, this article will address some of the most common sources of this problem and provide a step-by-step guide for resetting the airbag light once you have fixed the underlying issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_71 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contents<\/p>\n<\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/electronics\/why-is-my-airbag-light-on-and-how-to-reset-it\/#What_Does_the_Airbag_Light_Look_Like\" title=\"What Does the Airbag Light Look Like?\">What Does the Airbag Light Look Like?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/electronics\/why-is-my-airbag-light-on-and-how-to-reset-it\/#What_Would_Cause_an_Airbag_Light_To_Come_On\" title=\"What Would Cause an Airbag Light To Come On?\">What Would Cause an Airbag Light To Come On?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/electronics\/why-is-my-airbag-light-on-and-how-to-reset-it\/#How_to_Reset_Your_Airbag_Light\" title=\"How to Reset Your Airbag Light\">How to Reset Your Airbag Light<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/electronics\/why-is-my-airbag-light-on-and-how-to-reset-it\/#Airbag_Light_FAQs\" title=\"Airbag Light FAQs\">Airbag Light FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Does_the_Airbag_Light_Look_Like\"><\/span><a><\/a>What Does the Airbag Light Look Like?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Car manufacturers symbolize the airbag light in a few different ways, depending on the make and model. They usually depict it in red as a seat with a deployed airbag, but some older vehicles can display it emboldened in red as \u201cAIR BAG.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have confirmed that you are definitely dealing with the airbag light, you can now begin troubleshooting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To properly diagnose your vehicle&#8217;s airbag indicator, you\u2019ll first need to read the trouble code either through an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/MOTOPOWER-MP69033-Universal-Diagnostic-Protocol\/dp\/B07Z3HB7DR\/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?gclid=CjwKCAjwzeqVBhAoEiwAOrEmzdAIY6NEs6X4UFS_G-ZaMBM7TvblbvBkpK2t2qAtCzTpoCoZ7FshgBoCoO8QAvD_BwE&amp;hvadid=177666438169&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvlocphy=9005554&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=2206860094251504712&amp;hvtargid=kwd-391174000&amp;hydadcr=7482_9586281&amp;keywords=obd+ii+scanner&amp;qid=1656434535&amp;sr=8-3-spons&amp;psc=1&amp;spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzRjY0NTVURVJLUFNFJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODAxNzA2MkRZNlkxVlhFWEhBMiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjYxNzgwMjRQMjBDVEtZNFRFMiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OBD-II scanner<\/a> or by taking it to a local parts store such as AutoZone or O\u2019Reilly\u2019s, where they\u2019ll be able to perform a diagnosis free of charge. Upon fixing the problem, you can use the same scanner to reset your airbag light, or they can reset it at the parts store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Would_Cause_an_Airbag_Light_To_Come_On\"><\/span><a><\/a>What Would Cause an Airbag Light To Come On?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>There are a handful of reasons your airbag light may be on. Defective sensors, defective springs, or defective airbags may all be potential causes, or it can be as simple an issue as an unfastened seatbelt.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>1. Defective or Activated Seat Sensor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A common source of a persisting airbag light is a defective or activated seat sensor. Maybe you have a heavy object occupying one of the passenger seats\u2013 believe it or not, this can accidentally trip the sensors into activating the airbag light. If you remove the heavy object and the airbag light persists, this could point to a defective seat sensor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a defective seat sensor, leave the belt clicked until you can get it serviced for a temporary fix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>2. Defective or Broken Clock Spring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A very prevalent and, regrettably, costly source of a flashing airbag light is a broken clock spring. This can net you up to around $300 just for the parts, and likely an extra $100 for the service. If you are looking to save on labor costs, there is a way to replace it yourself with the right tools and know-how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Replacing your broken <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorweek.org\/features\/goss_garage\/clock_springs_airbags\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">clock spring<\/a> requires specific tools that are likely unavailable to the average car owner. If you plan on trying to replace it yourself, you will need a <a href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/steering\/noise-when-turning-steering-wheel-while-stationary\/\">steering wheel<\/a> puller in combination with a relatively large socket. If these tools are not readily available, you can typically find them for rent at a local parts store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>3. Seat Belts Not Fastened<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most modern vehicles have a function that automatically disables your airbag while unbuckled, so riding without a seatbelt can and will trigger the airbag light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you buckle up and the airbag light remains active, this could imply one of two things &#8211; either the seatbelt sensor is defective or bits of debris are wedged in the buckle, causing it not to register. Spare change and small bits of trash are the most common culprits of this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before getting it serviced, peek inside the buckle and look for any debris. If there is nothing noticeably blocking the sensor, it may be defective and in need of replacement. Replacements for this can cost upwards of $200 if they built the sensor directly into the seatbelt, but it is typically much less expensive if they can replace it separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>4. Defective Airbag Sensors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Manufacturers typically \u200cdesign vehicles with two closed sensors linked to the airbag to protect the user in case one of them fails. Thankfully, this means your airbag won&#8217;t deploy if one of them becomes defective; however, it will disable the airbags entirely and leave you with the indicator on your dash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If one of your airbag sensors is defective, that is a major safety concern, so service it as soon as possible. The cost of repairing your airbag sensor can range from around $250 to $350, and unless you have a solid understanding of electrical components, leave this one up to the professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>5. Defective Airbag<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A defective <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iihs.org\/topics\/airbags\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">airbag<\/a> is generally expensive to fix. The price of a replacement airbag can range from around $200 to well over $1000, and servicing your vehicle can cost just as much depending on which bag is defective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The labor cost varies because it may be more difficult to swap out parts in one seat than another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thankfully, a defective airbag is a rare occurrence, as manufacturers attempt to design airbags to be incredibly long-lasting and effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are unfortunate enough to experience this issue, always try to look for product recalls. Car manufacturers frequently recall airbags, and yours may be among them. If you registered your vehicle under your name at the DMV, you should automatically receive email updates about product recalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If not, you can always enter your VIN on the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration\u2019s website to view any recalls pertaining to your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Why-Is-My-Airbag-Light-On-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Why Is My Airbag Light On\" class=\"wp-image-2563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Why-Is-My-Airbag-Light-On-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Why-Is-My-Airbag-Light-On-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Why-Is-My-Airbag-Light-On-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Why-Is-My-Airbag-Light-On-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Why-Is-My-Airbag-Light-On.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Reset_Your_Airbag_Light\"><\/span><a><\/a>How to Reset Your Airbag Light<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ready to troubleshoot at home? Here\u2019s what you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Equipment Needed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Occasionally, the airbag light may turn off automatically once the issue is resolved. For every other occasion, you will need an OBD-II scanner to scan for trouble codes which, upon clearing these codes, the airbag light should disappear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Step 1 &#8211; Ensure Issue Has Been Resolved<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Before attempting to reset your airbag light, you \u200c<em>must<\/em> ensure that the problem has been 100% resolved. If you disable the airbag light while the problem persists, this might deploy the airbags prematurely or disable the airbags in the event of an accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Step 2 &#8211; Review All Trouble Codes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Hook up the OBD-II scanner to your vehicle and carefully review all trouble codes, ensuring they are all properly addressed before clearing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Step 3 &#8211; Clear Trouble Codes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Clear the list of trouble codes. After this, the airbag light should subside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Step 4 &#8211; Go for a Test Drive<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Restart the vehicle and go for a <a href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/general\/how-many-times-can-you-fail-the-driving-test-by-state\/\">test drive<\/a>. If the airbag light returns at any point, reread the codes and repeat the troubleshooting procedure from the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Airbag_Light_FAQs\"><\/span><a><\/a>Airbag Light FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Still have questions? Check below for additional information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Is it safe to drive with the airbag light on?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Anytime your airbag light activates, it means it is disabled for as long as that indicator remains on the dash. This means that in the event of an accident your airbag would not deploy, so it is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncconsumer.org\/news-articles-eg\/three-lights-on-your-dashboard-that-you-should-never-ever-ignore.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">highly dangerous to drive<\/a> while the light remains active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Will my airbag deploy if the light is on?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No. This is both a safety concern and a safety feature, as a defective airbag could be fatal if deployed outside the event of an accident. The <a href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/general\/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-airbag-light-on\/\">airbags are disabled by default while the light<\/a> is on for this purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>How much does it cost to fix my airbag light?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost of fixing your airbag light can range from nothing to several thousands of dollars, and this all depends on the source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Will disconnecting my battery reset the airbag light?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Airbags usually come with backup batteries separate from the main car battery, which prevents the light from resetting upon a battery reset. The best and often the only option for resetting the airbag light is through the use of an OBD-II scanner.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you stumbled across this article, you&#8217;re probably sitting vexed behind your dash trying to shut off that lingering airbag light. Much like any other&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2562,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2561","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-electronics","wpcat-12-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2561"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2561"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2561\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2564,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2561\/revisions\/2564"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2561"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2561"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}