No one wishes for accidents or hazardous occurrences while driving, but they happen sometimes. So, in a bid to factor in safety and reduce the damage caused by car accidents, the manufacturers of Volkswagen cars designed and engineered airbags with indicator lights into their cars.
The Volkswagen airbag light on the dashboard is not like other car indicators. They are not designed to come on unless there is a problem. (This is not to be confused by the indicator stating there is no passenger detected, so the airbag feature is not armed.) The problem indicator light coming on while there is a passenger or driver in the seat tells you that there is an issue with the supplemental restraint system (SRS) which houses the airbag systems and multiple crash sensors.
While airbag system repairs are not a common auto repair option, it is important to get it rectified as soon as possible to keep the driver and the passengers safe. This guide will highlight what can trigger the airbag light to come on, and ways to rectify the situation.
What Can Cause the Airbag Light to Come On?
Sometimes, the airbag light comes on by mistake and all you need to do is reset it. If this is not the case, there are several situations that may warrant it. Some of them are:
- Faulty Sensors: The Volkswagen airbag functionality depends on networks of sensors. An error message is sent to activate the airbag light even when there has been no accident.
- Wiring error: Volkswagen SRS is connected by a series of complex wires, from crash sensors and inflatable airbag modules to the indicator light. When there is a wiring disconnection or damage, the airbag light will come on.
- Faulty Clock Spring: The airbag clock spring coils in and out as the steering wheel is turned, and its major function is to ensure that the connectivity between the electrical wires of the vehicle and the driver’s airbag is intact. When this clock spring is faulty, it stops performing its function and the car computer thinks there is a problem with the airbag, thereby triggering the airbag light to come on.
- Wet airbag modules: When water or any liquid substance gets into the driver’s airbag, it can wreak a lot of havoc on the airbag system. It damages the electrical and sensory electrodes inside. As they get damaged, they stop working and the airbag light might come on.
- Depleted backup car battery: The airbag light might come when the car’s main battery has been completely drained to the point where the backup battery meant to power the airbags has to be used as a substitute.
- Unlocked seat belt: Airbags and seatbelts work hand-in-hand for passenger’s safety. When your car detects that your seat belts are unlocked or probably not working well, it will assume the airbags are not working well, and trigger the light to come on.
- Disabled Airbags: Some Volkswagen models allow its drivers to manually disable the car’s airbag. When this is done, the airbag light is continuously turned on unless the airbags are activated.
- Collisions: In a situation where the car has been previously involved in a collision and the airbag was deployed for safety if the car is not properly serviced, the airbag light might come on.
What To Do When Your Airbag Light is Turned On while a Person is Seated?
You should not fret when your airbag light comes on. All you need to do is take it to a trusted and certified auto mechanic to run a proper diagnostic on the airbag system and recommend the proper solution.
Do not make the mistake of resetting the airbag light yourself, as the airbag sensors are delicate and complex. An error can upset a lot of systems in the car. Spend the money and leave it to the experienced experts.
Auto Repair Specialists for Your Volkswagen’s Airbag Light Issues
Compared to other car faults, the number 
of drivers that pay keen attention to their airbag system faults is minute, which is why the number of auto mechanics knowledgeable in the airbag system field is somehow limited.
At Motor City Euro Repair, we are proud to be one of the few auto shops that have vast knowledge of the airbags system and use our world-class equipment to provide you and your Volkswagen the best service. When you bring your car to us, you can expect the right treatment from our staff for you and your Volkswagen. Not only do we serve drivers in Farmington, MI, but our excellent service extends to car owners in Ann Arbor, Brighton, Farmington, and Detroit, MI.
