Car question!

[krobin02]

Ok, for those of you who love cars, do you have any suggestions as to why the airbag light would come on for no apparent reason?

[FilingOnMyOwn]

It means that in the event of an accident, the airbag may not deploy. That light would generally be triggered by an open circuit. Meaning if the airbag is given the electricity to deploy, there is a break in the circuit somewhere so the electricity could not make a complete loop. Common causes would be corroded terminals on the airbag or the sensors in the bumper, or bad wiring in the steering column.

[13inOR]

My understanding is it means it needs servicing of some sort.

[lrprn]

From http://www.aa1car.com/library/warning_lights.htm ...

"AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT

This light should NEVER come on unless there is a fault in your vehicle's air bag system (supplemental restraint system or SRS). Like the engine computer and ABS computer, the air bag control module runs a self-check everytime the vehicle is driven. If it finds a fault in a crash sensor, one of the air bag modules, the wiring or itself, it will set a code, turn on the warning light and disable itself. You can drive the vehicle but the air bag(s) will NOT deloy should you be involved in an accident. You should have the problem diagnosed and repaired at your earliest convenience."

Like FOMO and 13 said, looks like it's best to have the light investigated by a reliable mechanic or auto shop when you can, KRobin. Air bags are life-savers in an accident - you want to make sure yours deploy if they are needed.

[krobin02]

Ok, would this be something covered under my warranty do you think?

[FilingOnMyOwn]

Only if you're still under a bumper to bumper warranty. If you're under an extended warranty, that often only covers powertrain - engine & transmission. An easy fix you can try if its just a glitch - disconnect the negative battery terminal ( the black one ) for about 30 seconds and reconnect it. This will reset the engine computer. Start the car and see if the light goes away.

[robivi3]

What kind of car? Year? Remember, the system tests the light when you turn the key, it may related to that feature but it would seem Filings amd lprn's answers make the most sense. After all, it is performing the check and finding a fault, that is what it should do. If it finds fault, the light stays on. So Ditto all that! Airbags are nothing to mess with, get it fixed.

Also Filing is right about the reset, water or something could do it.

[krobin02]

I am still under b2b. It is an 03 Hyundai Accent with 39K miles. The light has been playing the lets stay on for a day or so then go out for a while before starting the cycle again game.