All drivers hate various types of alarms that can warn of breakdowns or malfunctions. One of the most serious warning lights that can come on on your dashboard (besides ) is the airbag light. Usually, many drivers, upon seeing the airbag icon on the dashboard, begin to panic and do not know what to do. Today we will tell you what causes the airbag indicator to appear on the dashboard, and how you can fix it yourself.
As an example, this article describes work to eliminate the cause of the appearance of an icon on the dashboard that warns of an airbag malfunction. All actions were performed on a 2004 Toyota Camry.
Please note that operations may vary on other vehicles due to different design features. But in general, in most cases there are not many reasons for the appearance of a malfunction warning.
Remember that you must exercise extreme caution when working with airbags. If you are not sure that you can do all the work yourself, then it is better to contact a specialized technical center, where professionals will fix the problem.
It is quite simple - it consists of several sensors, a module that interprets the signal received from the sensors and, if necessary, gives a signal to the capsule in which the airbag is stored, as a result of which it is activated in a split second. Unfortunately, like everything in the world does not last forever, airbag sensors wear out and become unusable, as a result of which the airbag system may become inoperative. Fortunately, the safety system constantly monitors the status and readiness of all airbag sensors and, if they malfunction, notifies you on the dashboard.
The most common sensors that often fail in modern cars are the passenger presence sensor in the seat and the airbag sensor in the steering wheel (airbag coil). The front passenger seat occupancy sensor detects the passenger's weight to identify the passenger's age.
This is done based on the weight of the passenger. This allows you to automatically turn off the front airbag if you are sitting in the front seat. The fact is that the front airbag is dangerous for small children, since due to their height, if the front airbag is deployed, its impact can lead to the death of a small passenger.
Unfortunately, the sensor that detects the weight of the front passenger can wear out over time due to frequent movement of the seat. As a result, either the sensor or the cable may be damaged. Since the airbag control system constantly scans the performance of all sensors, if one of the sensors fails, an icon on the dashboard will light up warning of an airbag malfunction.
Some vehicles have the ability to manually deactivate the front passenger airbag. In this case, the airbag inoperative warning will also light up on the instrument panel. It is noteworthy that even with the airbag manually deactivated, if an adult sits in the front seat, the airbag will automatically turn on.
Including on some cars, if no one is sitting in the front seat, a warning about the front airbag being disabled also lights up on the dashboard.
If, despite the fact that the indicator on the dashboard is on, warning that the airbag is disabled, then most likely one of the safety system sensors has failed. First, in this case, check the wiring under the front passenger seat. You should make sure there are no frayed wires under the seat. If the sensor wires are damaged or fail, purchase a new front passenger weight sensor.
The second most common problem Associated with the airbags is the helical airbag sensor, which is located between the steering column or steering wheel. The sensor is integrated with a board that allows various buttons on the steering wheel to operate. Over time, this component can wear out, making it impossible to control the steering wheel buttons. various functions, as well as disabling the driver's airbag. To fix the problem, you will have to remove the steering wheel and replace the faulty part.
Before fixing the problem with the airbag sensor in the steering wheel, you must remove the negative terminal of the wire from the battery and wait 10-15 minutes for the capacitors to discharge.
Next, turn the steering wheel with the wheels straight. Then find fastener the central part of the steering wheel. Typically, the center part of the steering wheel is secured with a hex bolt, which is unscrewed with a hex wrench. But on some cars, in order to unscrew the central part of the steering wheel, a special key is required (for example, on Nissan cars).
Then turn the steering wheel left and right to remove the screws that hold the steering column trim in place. In order to remember the correct position of the steering wheel, stick adhesive tape or tape as in the photo. This will help you return everything to its correct place during reassembly.
Next, use the appropriate size wrench to loosen the center nut that holds the steering wheel to the steering column. Please note that you only need to loosen the nut and do not unscrew it completely.
Please note that on many vehicles you will not be able to easily remove the center bolt that holds the steering wheel in place. In order to unscrew the bolt, you will need to jerk the steering wheel to the right and left several times. Do not unscrew the center nut all the way. Once you have loosened the steering wheel enough, you can, while calmly supporting the steering wheel, unscrew the nut all the way. Remove the steering wheel from the steering column.
Next, disconnect the wire connectors that go to the steering wheel spiral cable (airbag coil), which is responsible for the operation of the buttons on the steering wheel and the airbag. Next, install the new airbag coil on the steering column.
Then, after connecting the cables to the spiral coil, set the steering wheel to the position that the adhesive tape or tape will tell you. Next, tighten the steering wheel center nut using a torque wrench. If you do not have a wrench that measures the force, then before installing the central steering wheel nut, add a little sealant to the steering column bolt and, after installing the nut, shade it as much as possible. For sufficient force, use a pry bar.
You can now install the airbag capsule and connect the power connectors. Next, install the decorative trims, install the negative terminal back on the battery and start the car.
Now that the sensors have been replaced, the airbag warning light on the dashboard should disappear.
Please note that the airbag icon does not always light up on the dashboard for the reasons that we have described. But according to statistics, most of the reasons why the airbag indicator on the dashboard comes on are associated with these two sensors.
The thing is that these two sensors are subject to the most rapid wear.
If after replacing two sensors the warning light on the dashboard does not go out, then most likely you need to reset all errors in electronic system car.
However, please note that some airbag system faults require more thorough and complex diagnosis using professional, expensive equipment.
The Russian automobile industry does not stand still, and driver airbags have finally appeared in the basic configuration of the AvtoVAZ Priora model. This addition pleases not only the car owner, but also the diagnostician. Are you happy? Perhaps we'll put this word in quotation marks. This addition has only made the diagnostician's work even more work. And so, on an ordinary weekday day, a Priora’s car, covered in poplar fluff, which delights the residents of Yekaterinburg every summer, stopped by for our visit. We ask the client about the problem and immediately receive an answer:
- Guys, the “pregnant man” light came on on the dashboard. This is what some people call the airbag icon with humor, but it really looks like it - :)
We ask after that, does the sound signal work? We get the answer:
- Oh yes, and the sound signal periodically works or doesn’t...
Knowing about this malfunction first-hand, what conclusion can be drawn? Shall we think about it? We won’t think about it, since we are already 99% sure that it was the driver’s airbag cable on the steering wheel that broke. Another name for it is a clock spring (Airbag Clock-spring) or “in Russian” a connector with a rotating device.
We get into the car and start the engine. The airbag light is actually on, the horn does not work.
We connect the diagnostic scanner (the diagnostic block is located behind the glove compartment).
Reading block errors airbag systems SNPB.
Error B1003 - high resistance of contacts 1-2 of the driver's airbag.
Below is a photo of the SNPB.
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We are interested in part number 1118-3709315 (connector with rotating device assembly). Well, you need to check the integrity of the loop of this node.
Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery
Removing the steering column cover
Removing the steering wheel
And the following picture opens before us (photo below)
Here it is the same connector with a rotating device (the “white box” in the photo). It contains our train, which apparently broke. We call the signal circuits:
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In our case, none of the circuits rings, which indicates a complete break in the loop.
We disassemble the connector with the rotating device. What we see inside, photo below.
If you look closely, you can see the place where the cable broke.
So the rotating connector (part number 1118-3709315) needs to be replaced, or the ribbon cable needs to be rebuilt/repaired. The client agrees to the repair. Well, it's up to the client. We are starting to restore.
First you need to unsolder the broken cable, but you need to do this very carefully, with a low-power soldering iron, so that the insulation of the cable does not melt. Unsolder gradually, contact by contact.
We cut off a piece of the cable to the broken place and clean the contacts.
Carefully solder the cable into place...
We collect everything in reverse order.
Well, what are we checking? We got the sound signal working. Using a diagnostic scanner we remove error B1003. We start the engine and check. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right, then left all the way. Everything is working. The airbag light no longer comes on.
Along with seat belts, airbags are one of the most effective and common means of protecting the driver and passengers of a car in the event of an accident. If your airbag warning light comes on, we strongly recommend that you immediately contact a service center to have the problem resolved.
Crash test Lada Priora with airbags.
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The share of electronic components in the design of modern cars is increasing every year. Sensitive sensors and computerized control units monitor the operation of an increasing number of components and assemblies. If they malfunction, they inform the driver about this using warning lights on the instrument panel. But the drivers themselves do not always know what to do if such a signal is received. For example, if the airbag light comes on, indicating a problem with the passive safety system.
In fact, the airbag light comes on every time you start the engine, making it possible to verify that the system is working properly. But then it goes out and no longer bothers the driver until one of the flexible shells of the airbags or pretensioners breaks down or triggers. If the SRS Airbag light continues to light after starting the engine, then this is a reason to visit a service center, whose specialists will be able to determine the nature of the malfunction of the passive safety system and fix the problem.
There are several reasons why it is not recommended to repair and diagnose SRS Airbag systems, including airbags, on your own.
- Diagnostics require special equipment that is connected to the diagnostic connector found in all modern cars. The diagnostic device and the software that comes with it cost a lot of money, and its use requires knowledge and experience that most car enthusiasts do not have. Some vehicles have the ability to access diagnostic codes without additional equipment. But the algorithm for activating the self-diagnosis system, as well as the codes themselves, differ depending on the car model and its configuration.
- When repairing electronic components of a security system, you should have reliable electrical diagram car, corresponding to its model, year of manufacture and configuration. Find similar documentation in open access very difficult, and the available information is often unreliable. The changes made by the developers to the design do not allow the fault to be identified. Moreover, actions taken on the basis of erroneous data are a source of serious damage.
- Even if you have a reliable electrical diagram in hand and have determined the possible source of the malfunction that is causing the airbag light to come on, it can be very difficult to fix the breakdown. To access the sensors, actuators and them electrical connectors, you need to know where they are located. In the absence of such information, you will have to spend a lot of time and effort searching, but you will not achieve the desired result.
Remember that improper handling of airbags can result in serious injury!
When there is no other choice
IN real life It may happen that repair shops are many kilometers away, and a burning airbag light gets on your nerves and, quite possibly, signals a breakdown that needs to be repaired immediately. An unpleasant surprise, such as the sudden activation of a protective system, can cause an accident. Therefore, it will be useful for many to know what can be done in such a situation.
The principle of the device and possible problems
First you need to know how pillows work. Let's briefly look at the design of a typical passive safety system.
Troubleshooting methods
As mentioned above, you can localize the location of the breakdown using computer diagnostic tools. But sometimes they don't give an accurate idea of the problems that are causing the airbag warning light to stay on. In this case, there is only one thing left to do - call electrical circuits, armed with a low-current multimeter.
You must first disconnect the battery by disconnecting the negative terminal and waiting at least 5 minutes. During this time, the system should be deactivated. The use of test lamps for testing is unacceptable, as this may damage the electronic components or cause them to operate spontaneously.
Act consistently
You should look for breakdowns in stages, paying attention to the most likely places of their occurrence. To the most common reasons, which may cause the warning light on the instrument panel to come on, include:
- failure of sensors or damage to electrical wiring. In both cases, it cannot be ruled out that the control unit will receive a false signal and give a command to operate the equipment;
- System failure of the control unit is the next most likely source of problems. Sometimes, with the appropriate equipment, the SRS AIRBAG can be reprogrammed. If this operation does not give the desired result, the airbag control unit will have to be replaced;
- An airbag malfunction is not a very common reason why the warning light may come on. It is strictly not recommended to repair such a breakdown yourself! Sodium azide, contained in the capsules of devices produced by many manufacturers, is poisonous. Poisoning with them can have the most severe consequences. But even if the capsule contains chemically harmless nitrocellulose, there is a risk of injury due to its airbag deployment as a result of careless handling.
The easiest way
With all that said, it's best to follow a simple recommendation. If the airbag light comes on, get to a workshop as soon as possible, which has everything you need for repairs and diagnostics. This The best way maintain your health and nerves, and also avoid damage to equipment.
Everyone is probably aware of the purpose of airbags and knows what they are. This invention is directly related to the active safety system and saves many human lives every day. Everything is clear with this, and even a high school student can tell you about these devices. general outline. Another issue is the airbag indicator. What does it mean if the airbag light comes on? These may be the "Airbag SRS", "Airbag" or "SRS" indicators. On this question Not everyone you know will be able to answer you. But we can. And in this article we will discuss the problems and their solutions associated with this alarm.
The airbag light came on
The first thing that may come to mind when the red Airbag light comes on is that there is some kind of problem with the car. To put it briefly, that’s how it is. When the airbag sensor comes on, then there is definitely something wrong with the system, unless something happened when you started the engine. short circuit. But we want to reassure you right away: there is no reason for depressive thoughts. Like most car breakdowns, this one can also be repaired.
It is important to understand that when the “SRS” or “Airbag” indicator lights up, the malfunction is hidden in the airbag itself. The Airbag system is very large-scale and combines many different devices. This means that if the corresponding light comes on, then it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive check throughout the entire system.
In good condition, the Airbag lights up immediately after turning the ignition key to the “ON” position, the system checks the functionality of all its elements. When checking the Airbag/SRS, the indicator may begin to blink - this is normal. If no faults are found, the light will flash about six times and go out until the next engine start.
But if malfunctions are still present, the indicator will continue to light. A fault code will then be recorded. In a few seconds another verification will occur. If no new problems are detected, or the ignition has been restarted, the diagnostic module will simply delete the error from the registry, and the light will simply go out.
Why does the Airbag light come on?
The car's interior safety system includes airbags (the number depends on the vehicle's equipment), impact sensors, belt tensioners, a control module and squibs. The entire system is connected to each other by wiring.
Therefore, the airbag icon illuminates in the following cases:
1. One or more cushions are damaged.
2. There is no signal from the security system elements.
Interesting! The airbag for two-wheeler riders deploys in one tenth of a second, providing better protection than any helmet. The authors of this technology are Swedish designers. The miracle pillow is placed inside a waterproof cover that is attached around the driver's neck.
3. The door contacts are broken.
4. Shock sensors are damaged.
5. Loss of contact or damage to part of the wiring that connects the entire system. Wiring is frayed or shorted.
6. The connectors are poorly connected.
8. The control module is damaged. It should only be replaced after the fault has been corrected.
9. Incorrectly installed
10. If the steering wheel was replaced incorrectly, the wires were damaged. This must be done solely according to the instructions.
11. We replaced the chairs - the passing wires or terminals were damaged.
12.
When replacing deployed airbags. The system can remember their old position, and the module made a record of the operation, as if
13. Poor quality repairs or replacement of the dashboard caused damage to the wires.
14. High resistance is applied to the driver's seat cushion.
Good to know! A car moving at a speed of 100 km/h travels about 30 meters per second. It takes an average of three seconds for a parent driving a car to turn their head toward their children in the passenger seat. And this is already almost a hundred meters that the car rushed “blindly”!
15. The life of the airbags has expired. It usually ranges from 8 to 10 years.
16. Tuning was carried out by non-professional specialists who damaged the sensors or disrupted the wiring.
17. Moisture has got on the contacts or its lock.
18. When the interior was being cleaned, the terminals were affected.
19. Insufficient voltage battery. It should be replaced here.
20. The battery was replaced in the wrong order.
How to fix the problem?
Oddly enough, but discussion of the topics: “The airbag is on” or “How to turn off the burning airbag lamp?” Quite common on many car forums. Of course, some may think that there is no point in paying attention to it, well, it burns and burns, the car is moving. But you can’t do that. This is a security system, and if it gives alarm signals, it means that there is some kind of problem that cannot be postponed, but needs to be solved. There, in the discussions, they lay out many options for solving these problems, but all the advisers follow the path “the simpler and faster, the better,” leaning towards completely turning off the pillows or using glue.
So, if the airbag sensor lights up inside your car, you must immediately take the following measures:
1. First, perform a full check of the Airbag system when starting the power unit.
3. Repair the security system element in which the error occurred or replace it. Just remember that this should only be done with the battery disconnected. Upgrade your Airbag's modular memory.
Interesting to know! The airbag in a car comes into working order in 25 milliseconds on average. And blinking an eye, for example, lasts four times longer.
Many motorists think about the seriousness of a particular problem, which is indicated by the Airbag indicator. Drivers with great experience recommend performing the most complete diagnostics of all outdoor system security. This is due to the fact that the light can be constantly on either due to a minor problem with the terminals, or due to the fact that the airbags were removed after a serious accident in which the car was involved.
We should also not forget that not only the health and even the life of the driver of the car, but also all the passengers in it depend on the Airbag security system. Therefore, you cannot be negligent when your pillow is on fire. It is necessary to regularly diagnose the entire system and immediately correct any identified problems.
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After starting the engine, almost all the lights on the dashboard light up - this is a normal phenomenon; the protective complex is being diagnosed. If, after several minutes of operation of the power plant, the Nissan airbag light flashes, then action needs to be taken.
Below are the two main reasons why this light comes on:
- Collision. If the airbags deployed during an accident, the driver immediately understands why the Airbag light came on. Also, in a collision, the sensor may be damaged, and the impact does not have to be severe. This element often fails in accidents in which the airbags did not even deploy. If the car has been in the hands of relatives or friends, then you should ask them what happened to the car.
- Faulty sensor contacts. There are sensors on the airbag blocks; if they oxidize or burn out, the Nissan airbag flashes on the dashboard. Sometimes the signal appears and then goes out. Contacts wear out due to moisture in the air. Temperature The car is constantly changing, as a result, condensation accumulates in the cabin.
- Installation of new equipment. Owners of various Nissan models receive this error after working with the car's wiring. For example, you need to run the wires from the navigator through the air duct. And if you turn on the ignition when the shock sensor is disabled, an annoying error will appear on the panel.
Reset error
If the driver has checked the status of the sensors and is sure that the car was not involved in an accident, then a reset needs to be performed. The instructions are suitable for everyone modern models Nissan, where there is an on-board computer:
- The key is inserted into the ignition.
- Next, you need to lower the brake pedal to the limit and leave it in that position until the reset is completed.
- The key should be turned to the position when all indicators on the dashboard light up.
- After the Airbag icon stops glowing, you must immediately turn off the ignition (delay no more than 1 second).
- After the described actions, 3 seconds should pass.
- Steps 3-5 must be repeated three times.
This algorithm starts self-diagnosis of the vehicle systems. If the on-board computer does not find any breaks or errors in the connections, then the signal flashes quickly. After completing the process, turn off the ignition and turn the key to the extreme position. The error has now been cleared.
Eliminating the causes of the error
IMPORTANT! Always disconnect the negative terminal before working with electronics. You need to start working no earlier than 2 minutes from the moment you disconnect the minus from the battery.
The reader already knows how the reset is carried out. It is also necessary to check the shock sensor; if its contacts are oxidized and damage is visible, it must be replaced. The location of the sensor depends on the car model. For example, in a Nissan Qashqai, the sensor responsible for the front passenger airbag is located behind the glove compartment. When dismantling, you must be careful; you must not hit, shake or make other sudden movements. If the airbags deployed during an accident, they must be replaced as soon as possible. service center, you shouldn’t do this kind of work yourself.
If the front passenger airbag blinks on the panel due to accidental disconnection of the terminal, then the problem can be solved by removing contact group. The process goes according to the following scheme:
- First of all, the negative terminal of the battery is removed.
- Next, you need to remove the glove compartment by disconnecting the two clips.
- There will be several lock fastenings at the top. After unscrewing the screws, you can remove the glove compartment lock.
- Now there is access to the cover for the contact group (chips). The plastic part must be carefully pulled towards you.
- There is a latch on the body of the contact group, by pressing which you can disconnect the component.
- The wires must be cut and the plastic element removed. Now the wires are connected to each other and reliably insulated.
- Done, assembly is done in reverse order.
To complete the job, you must perform a reset.