Not every driver acts when they meet a dashboard warning light come on. However, it is important to get any warning light checked out - but particularly so if it'southward the airbag - or "SRS '' light. The airbag warning light may take the form of a commuter with the airbag deployed.

Because your airbag is such a key role of your auto's prophylactic arrangement, it's disquisitional to address an illuminated airbag lite. It could be the difference betwixt life and death. While the airbag or SRS light may come up on for a variety of reasons, it could mean that your airbag won't deploy if you're in an accident.

What should you do when the airbag lite comes on?

Whenever you lot start your car, all the dashboard alert lights will come up on momentarily. This is normal - it is your machine self-testing the vehicle'southward systems.

Yet, if you run across a warning such every bit "Air pocketbook off" or "Airbag deactivated!" - remain lit, you need to act.

If this happens, in the start instance, take your car to a mechanic who will be able to check the codes and diagnose the issue.

Will the airbag nonetheless deploy?

If the airbag light is on, your airbag system has a fault and it may not deploy in the result of an blow. This is considering the auto has disabled the system.

Airbags - a critical safety feature

Airbags are a mutual safety feature on new vehicles in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland. Front rider airbags are at present standard equipment (although there is no legal requirement for them to be fitted). All the same, because they inflate rapidly in the issue of a standoff, they are able to cushion the driver and/or passenger'due south head and upper body - which might otherwise strike the dashboard or steering wheel.

According to a report in the British Medical Journal, the utilize of seatbelts saves effectually 8 times more than lives than airbags deployment. However, they remain an of import rubber device and then you should ensure your airbag organization is working properly at all times.

Common reasons for seeing an airbag warning light

Interference with seatbelt sensor

If droppings or some kind of object is stuck in a seat belt catch, it could cause the seatbelt not to lock properly - and for the reckoner to think the seatbelt is not fastened. This could trigger a false airbag warning low-cal.

Check to see if anything has got lodged in the seat belt buckle, interfering with the sensor.

Damaged wires nether seat

Sometimes the driver or passengers will put things nether the seat, which can impairment the wires and cause the airbag low-cal to display.

Damaged clock spring

Your car's clock spring allows the steering wheel to turn, while maintaining the connectedness between the electrical system, horn - and airbag.

In older cars, damaged or worn clock springs are more than common and volition trigger the air purse light on the dash. Information technology will take an hour or two of labour, plus parts, to ready this. The toll might vary depending on your make and model.

Motorcar has already been in an blow

In rare cases, a vehicle may take been in an accident - just one not serious enough to trigger the airbag. This virtually-miss may prompt an SRS airbag warning light - which may need to be reset.

In very rare circumstances, a car may take been flooded, resulting in a corroded reckoner circuitry. The damage may mean the estimator cannot detect the airbag.

Airbag manufacturing error

While uncommon, it'south possible that an airbag system is non manufactured correctly in the first place. Yet, such a fault may non trigger the airbag calorie-free.

A well-documented example of a mass-scale airbag manufacturing fault involved Takata airbags fitted to cars between 2002 and 2015. Cars with these airbags were recalled due to a risk of metal shards beingness propelled from the inflator housing during inflation.

Diagnosis

Your mechanic volition be able to diagnose the airbag light issue by checking the code.

While many garages can fix the issue, in some cases - such as when the airbag needs to exist replaced altogether - the owner may be referred to the original dealership for a solution.

How much to fix an airbag warning light in the United kingdom?

Seeing the airbag light on the dash can be a worry because a faulty airbag is not cheap to repair.

In the beginning instance, an inspection volition cost around £70 - and that's before any remedial work is carried out. If repairs are needed, springs, sensors, and other components may demand to be replaced, which on peak of labour charges tin can amount to £650, only may be as high equally £2,000.

The last cost will depend on factors like the vehicle'south make and model, and the type of airbag. For example, some models have side and drape airbags, as well as driver/rider airbags.

Given the cost, it may be tempting to forego such repairs, but airbags remain an important safety feature that could save the lives of y'all and your passengers.

Keeping your vehicle in good working order

More generally, it's crucial to keep your vehicle in proficient working gild to stay prophylactic while driving. Just things tin go wrong. From apartment batteries to alternator faults and electric issues, information technology'south not always easy to come across a problem brewing.

For complete peace of listen on the road, consider taking out breakdown cover - so you know a trained mechanic will be sent to assist you and get you dorsum on the route.