What to Do When Your VW’s Airbag Light Comes On

One great thing about modern cars like your Volkswagen is they have in-built safety features that help keep you and your passengers safe on the road. The airbag is one of these features, as it helps to cushion the effects of accidents on the human body.

The airbag also has a warning light that lets you know when the airbag’s protective function may be compromised. If your car’s airbag warning light comes on, you should take it seriously. In this guide, we will explain why this light comes on and what you have to do when it does.

What Leads to an Airbag Light Illumination?

The airbag is a component of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) that helps to keep passengers safe and secure in the case of an accident. The airbag acts as a cushion that reduces the impact that contact with hard surfaces typically has on passengers when an accident happens.

The airbag warning light comes on when there is a problem with the system that could potentially prevent the airbags from getting deployed when necessary. Here are a few reasons why this could happen;

1. Seat Belt Problems

Seatbelts are also a part of the SRS and when they develop faults, they could also trigger the airbag warning light to come on. If the seatbelts are loose, not properly placed, or damaged, they could cause the light to come on. Damaged seat belt sensors or pretensioners could also be the reason for the airbag warning light.

2. Faulty Airbag Sensors

The airbags have sensors (also called crash sensors) that detect a change in speed or the event of a collision and trigger the airbag’s deployment. If these sensors have a problem either due to aging, corrosion, or physical damage, then the airbag warning light could come on to keep the driver informed of the problem.

3. In Case of a Previous Accident

Airbags are meant to be deployed if there is a crash or an accident. If the vehicle is involved in an accident and the airbags did not deploy, the SRS system registers this crash and triggers the airbag warning light to indicate that there has been an accident but without airbag deployment. In this case, you may have to reset the SRS system to correct the issue.

What Can You Do When the Airbag Light Comes On?

Having the warning light shine in your face through your rides can be frustrating, especially when you cannot figure out what the problem is. If you are in this situation, you should be aware that you are at a safety risk, and here are some things you can do to fix it.

• Restart your car by turning the ignition on and off as the warning light could be a result of a sensor problem or a glitch that a simple restart can solve.
• Ensure that there are no other warning lights as they could indicate a more serious electrical problem.
• Inspect all your seatbelts and ensure that they are not damaged, stuck, or loosely placed. You can buckle and unbuckle to confirm they’re working properly.
• Check out your car’s battery and look out for loose wiring or poor connections which could be affecting the SRS system.
• If you have one, use an OBD II scanner to diagnose what the problem is.
• It’s always a good idea to take your car to the nearest mechanic to make sure that there are no other issues.

Where to Go in Health for Your Volkswagen’s Airbag Light Problems

As seen above, the airbag warning light in your car could be on for various reasons; and the best way to determine the exact cause and correct it is through professional auto services. Even if you can tell what the problem is, you still need a professional mechanic to figure out a solution.

Howland Autohaus is a top automobile care center in Central Ohio. We offer exceptional maintenance and repair services to all European models that come our way. Our level of expertise allows us to provide quality service to all car owners. So, if you are in Health, Buckeye Lake, Granville, Hebron, Johnstown, Lancaster, New Albany, Newark, Pataskala, Pickerington, or Zanesville, it is time to get your car checked and fixed with us at an affordable cost.