Has your airbag light come on on your dashboard and you now want to know how to reset it?
The engine and airbag lights are among the dashboard lights you should pay special attention to if they come on, especially the airbag light due to its importance for safety.
Airbags are designed to inflate whenever there is a collision, and when the light is on, this will not happen.
How do airbags work?
So before seeing how to reset the airbag light, you need to know how the entire function works.
Airbags are life savers when you accelerate and hit another car head-on or hit a stationary object. If you don’t have an airbag, you could violently hit your head against the steering wheel or dashboard. When you hit something at high speed, your car decelerates, which activates an accelerometer that triggers the airbag circuit.
The airbag circuit has a heating element activated by an electric current. This heating element promotes an explosion inside the airbag that quickly generates a harmless gas. Most airbags use sodium azide as the explosive element, and the gas produced can be argon or nitrogen. This gas floods the airbag and causes it to expand; therefore, protecting the driver from injury by occupying the steering wheel and side. The airbag acts as a cushion.
How to reset the airbag light with a scanner
Now that we know how airbags work, it’s time to learn how to reset the airbag light.
All work performed on the airbag system must be done by professionals if you are not 100% sure of what you are doing! Follow these steps to reset the airbag light:
Total time: 1 hour
Step 1: Check the passenger airbag switch
Some cars have a “passenger seat airbag on/off button”. This is the first thing you should check when you want to remove the airbag light. Perhaps someone before you turned it off by mistake, which will cause the airbag light to stay on in most cars.
This button is usually located on the passenger side dashboard and you can see it if you open the passenger door or the glove box.
Step 2: Read the trouble codes with an OBD2 Scanner
Working with your airbag system is crucial, and therefore, always read the trouble codes with an OBD2 scanner to get an idea of where to start your troubleshooting. Never clear the trouble codes before fixing the problem caused by the airbag light. Read the codes and get information on what might be causing the issue and therefore continue the diagnosis.
Step 3: Repair the fault
You should never simply reset the airbag light without fixing the problem. This could deploy the airbags or cause them not to work in the event of an accident. Let a professional replace the airbag parts if you are not sure how to do it. Remember to always remove the battery connection when working with airbags. The airbag light will often go away on its own after fixing the problem, but not in all car models.
Step 4: Clear the trouble codes
Once you have installed the new parts and are 100% sure that the parts are properly installed, it’s time to reset the engine light. To do this, you need to use an OBD2 scanner, and it’s not possible otherwise. Reset the airbag light and make sure it has disappeared from the dashboard. If it is still there, reread the codes and check for any trouble codes.
Step 5: Restart your car and take a test drive.
If the airbag light seems to have gone away from your dashboard, restart your ignition and take a test drive. If the airbag light goes off after a test drive, there is a high chance that the problem is solved. If the problem returns, reread the codes and continue the procedure.
How to reset the airbag light without a scanner
It is impossible in most car models to reset the airbag light without a scanner. These are safety precautions because you should always repair the fault after the airbag light comes on. Fortunately, in many car models, the airbag light will also go away on its own if you have fixed the problem.
In some older cars, however, it is possible to reset the airbag light without a scanner by removing the car battery terminals.
Check the wiring system under the driver or passenger seat for any loose wires or corrosion in the connector plug. Spray the connector plugs with electronic cleaner and restart your car.
If you don’t find any problem there, you should really get an OBD2 scanner or let a workshop read the codes; otherwise, you will just be guessing the problem in the dark.