Did your airbag light pop up on your dashboard, and you now want to know how to reset it?
The engine and airbag lights are some of the dashboard lights you need to pay extra attention to if they show up, especially the airbag light due to its safety importance.
Airbags are designed to inflate in an accident or crash, but when the airbag light is on, this will not happen. But how do you reset an airbag light, and can you do it without a scanner? Let’s find out!
How do airbags work?
So before we look at how to reset the airbag light, you should know how the whole system works.
Airbags are lifesavers when you are speeding and hit another car head-on or hit a stationary object. If you do not have an airbag, you could hit your head hard on the steering wheel or dashboard. When you hit something at high speed, your car will decelerate, and this will activate an accelerometer that triggers the airbag circuit.
The airbag circuit has a heating element activated through an electric current. This heating element promotes an explosion inside the airbag that rapidly generates a harmless gas. Most airbags use sodium azide as the explosive element, and the gas produced can either be argon or nitrogen. This gas floods the airbag and causes it to expand; hence, protecting the driver from injuries by occupying the steering wheel and the side. The airbag acts as a cushion.
How to reset the airbag light with a scanner
Now that we know how airbags operate, it is time to learn how to reset the airbag light.
All work done to the airbag system should 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. Maybe someone before you turned it to “Off” by mistake – this will make the airbag light stay on in most cars.
This button is usually on the dashboard on the passenger side, and you may 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. You should 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 you fix the problem caused by the airbag light. Read the codes and get information about what can cause the problem and continue the diagnosis.
Step 3: Repair the fault
You should never just reset the airbag light without repairing the problem. This can deploy the airbags or prevent them from functioning if an accident occurs. Let a professional replace the airbag’s parts if you are not sure how to do it. Remember always to remove the battery connection when working with airbags. The airbag light will often go away by itself after repairing the problem, but not in all car models.
Step 4: Clear the trouble codes
After you have installed the new parts and are 100% sure that the parts are installed correctly, it’s time to reset the engine light. To do this, you need to use an OBD2 scanner. There is no other way to reset. Reset the airbag light and make sure that 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 & test-drive.
If the airbag light seems to have gone away from your dashboard, restart your ignition and go for a test drive. If the airbag light is gone after a test drive, there is a big chance that the problem has been solved. If the problem comes back, 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. This is for safety reasons, because you should always repair the fault after the airbag light has come on. Luckily, in many car models, the airbag light will also go away by itself if you have repaired the problem.
In some older cars, though, it is possible to reset the airbag light without a scanner by removing the car battery terminals.
Check the wiring system underneath the driver or passenger seat for any loose wires or corrosion in the connector plug. Spray the connector plugs with an electronic cleaner and restart your car.
If you can not find any problems there, you should really get an OBD2 scanner or let a workshop read the codes; otherwise, you will be taking a stab in the dark when you try to guess the problem.
What happens if you pull the airbag fuse?
If you pull the fuse to the airbag control module, it will disable the airbag function in your car after 1-2 minutes. However, it won’t remove the airbag light as you might expect. If the dash does not receive a signal from the airbag module, it will illuminate the airbag warning light.
How can I bypass the airbag light?
You can bypass the airbag light or the airbag parts by bridging them with resistors. However, we strongly recommend fixing the issues instead, because if you’re in a serious accident, you’ll probably wish the airbag function was working.
How much does it cost to reset the airbag light?
Resetting the airbag light can cost anywhere from $0 to $1000. It all depends on what is causing the airbag light. If the problem was only temporary, it might be enough to simply reset the codes, which can be done for free. It can also be caused by an expensive faulty part like the steering angle sensor, which can cost you over $1000.
Does disconnecting the battery disable the airbag?
Yes and no. Airbag systems have large capacitors that will store energy in the system for a while even if you remove the battery cable. However, this energy is often drained within minutes.
Conclusion
To reset an airbag or SRS light, you need to use a diagnostic scanner to clear the codes after you repair the issue. In most modern cars, there is no way to reset the airbag light without a scanner.
If you clear the codes, but the airbag light keeps coming back on, there is a problem that needs to be fixed first. You should never attempt to reset the airbag light without correcting the problem first, because this could cause the airbags to deploy.
Now you know how to handle the airbag light. You may understand the safety importance when working on airbags or SRS systems in a car. If you feel that you don’t have the knowledge to work on airbag systems, take it to a mechanic and have them run a diagnostic test.
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14 thoughts on "How To Reset An Airbag Light With Or Without A Scanner"
Mr Brian
my expensive Autel cannot reset air bag lights . You have to go to the car manufacturers dealership and they have to use their proprietary software to reset after you replaced a failed part. Give you my recent example. >2015 Honda Civic. Air bag light blinking and OBD2 showed defective seat belt pretensioner. Replaced seat belt pretensioner. Battery cable was removed for 7 days, prior to replacing part. Hooked up battery cable. Air bag light blinking again. OBD scanner could not reset code. It had to go to the Honda dealership for a air bag reset. I think OBD scanner companies they are doing that take liability out of peoples hands or OEM dealerships are trying to put money back in their hands?
Magnus Sellén
I'm not sure what Autel scanner type you used, but yes, many OBD2 scanners only read the generic trouble code memory. An enhanced scanner compatible with the car model is required as a minimum.
scott sproat
i have a 2010 corrola s. the airbag on the drivers side stays on. is there a way to fix it than spending money on a mechanic?
Rollen
Only when I click my seat belt on the air bag light comes on. Put it on the passenger side lock it will not come on.
Jan-Sture
Hello Magnus Before summer i had a problem on and off with SRS warning light passenger seat and wipers did not work. After stop and start engine fault was reset and eveything worked fine for a while but now it's been constant fault for a few months. Changed both sam modules rear (fuse box and SAM rear) and also fuse box front without positive results. When i now turn on the car message says as follows SRS right front disturbanse. I can tell you that i had wiring problem in cables above tailgate hatch with a few broken wires but this is now repaired but it might be more problems but i couldn't see any more broken wiring there. Reason why i found broken wires in the rear is because my tailgate would not close but only open but as i tell you i fixed this. I also cleaned seat belts connections and changed many relays and fuse boxes. Do you have any idea what the SRS and non working wipers problem can be solved?
AdAn O
Check Your fuses out. I believe the fuses will power both air bag system and wipers at the same time
[email protected]
Hi have a Mercedes 1991 300 ce SRS light came on I bought a code reader 2/3/8 codes came up I cleared then the light went off for a while then came back on the car has been sitting for 7 months it was fine before that any clues
Benjamin
I hit a deer in a 2013 Hyundai veloster. Air bags did not deploy. After getting the car repaired the airbag light stays on. I am unsure if it is possible that the airbags should of deployed a had a fault or if it is acting up. I have a scanner for check engine light. Should I see what the code is and reset it?
Steve
Looking for a scan to to rezero the seat calibration o occupancy sensor on my 2004 Suzuki XL-7 thanks.
Vicki
Is it possible to by pass an airbag light on my 2006 Citroën C2 Furio? I’ve fitted an aftermarket steering wheel and am Due an MOT in December, Please Help :)
donald blair
airbag light on my berlingo van 1.6hdi always on, also horn doesn,t work, what,s the most common reason for these faults, thanks. Don
shuudeni silvanus
I have Ford fiesta that involves in accident there's no passaer air there's no other option to switch off the air bag light
Pawel Pawlowski
I have bought 2003 Toyota Highlander. The problem I have is concerned with the srs warning light which never comes on even when I turn the key to on position. There was an old problem with seat belts pretensioneers connection which was already solved and the srs ECU gives no codes now. The problem was that the pretentioneers plugs were disconnected by somebody and black protecting detailes were lost, so the srs module gave codes that there was short circuit in pretentioneers. I put a plastic streaps into the slots to isolate the shorting contacts and now the srs module get proper resistance of the pretensioneers. I checked the wire from srs module to instrument cluster: it is OK. The signal on this wire gets about 5V DC when I turn the key to on. But the diode on the pc board of the cluster does not come on. What do you suggest to check further to find the reason of the problem. I do not believe that it could be the burnt LED. All other lights come on when I put the key on. May be some smart guy made a trick to make the light dead instead of solving the problem with pretentioneers ? I have checked the instrument cluster itself and didn't find any sign of specific action done.
Shri kishore
Just installed a horns and air bag lights comes on .how to clear it