The dreaded airbag light...

[Mon Ami Mate]

Made a sudden and highly unwelcome appearance last night. Perceived wisdom gratefully received. Is it likely to be a faulty switch? Am I likely to get a sudden deployment half-way through a technical series of high speed corners? Should I just ignore the damned thing?

[wombat rick]

It will either be a loose wire, especially if you have side airbags in the front seats. Rummage under the front seats and make sure all the wires are OK.
OR it will be the airbag ECU. (But more likely a loose wire).

You need to go to a dealer or an independant with the right examiner tool who can see what the fault is and reset it. If the light goes out you are OK!

They won't go off accidentally. They just won't go off at all.

[pdV6]

Zip tie any and all connecting blocks under the seats together nice and tight (that's all the dealership is likely to do, anyway ).

Allegedly you may then be able to switch off the warning lamp by disconnecting the battery for 1/2 hour or so.

Failing that, off to a dealer to get the lamp reset via the ECU.

[pdV6]

Mon Ami Mate said:

Am I likely to get a sudden deployment half-way through a technical series of high speed corners?

Shouldn't do. The airbag system is supposed to be fail-"safe", i.e. if the lamp's on, the entire system (including pre-tensioners etc) is disabled.

MAM said:

Should I just ignore the damned thing?

Best not - see above!

[Avocet]

I'm told that it's often just a case of unplugging the connectors under the seat, cleaning the contacts with switch cleaner or WD 40 and re-assembling. Haven't tried it though.

[silverback mike]

Mon Ami Mate said:

Made a sudden and highly unwelcome appearance last night. Perceived wisdom gratefully received. Is it likely to be a faulty switch? Am I likely to get a sudden deployment half-way through a technical series of high speed corners? Should I just ignore the damned thing?

Hi Malcolm,
I know a fantastic auto electrician that will definately be able to sort it out. Very reasonable and local to us. He has sorted all sorts of electrical whizzo's out for me.

If you would like his number, drop me an email.