What it appears to be: A passenger seated in a chair with a seatbelt fastened holding a circle in their lap. The “SRS” symbol is illuminated in the dash of some cars.
What it means is When a problem is identified by your BMW’s computers within the airbag control unit, the airbag system, or supplemental restraint system (SRS) light will illuminate. If the SRS warning light is on, the system has been turned off, and the airbags won’t inflate in the case of a collision.
What to do if it comes on: When a car starts up, this light will briefly illuminate in the dash before going off, signaling that everything is working as it should and making it safe to drive.
Check to see if anything is obstructing the seatbelt click switch or if anything is piled up behind the seat, which could harm the wires, if the SRS light remains illuminated after starting the car or while it is in motion. If nothing is discovered, visit a local independent BMW repair facility as soon as possible to have a professional inspect and identify the issue. This is not something to be taken lightly, and it is safer to get this issue looked at by a certified BMW mechanic than to jeopardize your safety and the safety of your passengers by driving while it is still active.
How to turn the light off: After you bring your BMW to your neighborhood BMW shop, your mechanic will examine the component and the wiring, run code checks, and perform any necessary repairs.
An illuminated SRS light may indicate a sensor issue, the need to reset your airbags (for instance, if you were recently in a collision and the sensors were activated but the airbags did not deploy), or an issue with the seatbelts. Checking car bulletins is a good idea because there may be other instances when your airbags need to be recalled.
In This Article...
occupancy sensor for passengers
The most frequent problem that sets off the BMW airbag light is a broken passenger seat weight sensor (also referred to as the occupancy sensor, child sensor, passenger mat, and seat sensor pad).
If the passenger weighs more than a specific amount, the sensor that is put under the passenger seat cushion will alert the driver. In the event of a collision, the passenger airbag won’t activate if the individual is under the weight limit (for example, a child), as it could harm the youngster. This sensor is typically to blame for the frequent failures.
Assume that your BMW’s seat occupancy sensor is broken. In that situation, an alert with the wording “passenger airbag problem” or “passenger airbag off” would appear on your iDrive screen.
It is necessary to take out the seat and seat cushion in order to fix this issue. The cost of this issue at the dealer will be $500+. The passenger seat sensor can be changed if you are handy. Online retailers offer replacement passenger seat mat sensors for under $200. Look at this eBay listing for a BMW Passenger Weight Sensor.
To replace the passenger weight sensor on your own, you will require a few simple tools and two hours.
A BMW Passenger Sensor Bypass is frequently installed by BMW owners. It deceives the airbag system into believing the sensor is operational.
The passenger airbag will deploy even if there is no one in the passenger seat if you install a BMW weight sensor bypass and are involved in an accident. It might be against the law to change the restraint system in some nations.
How can I turn off my BMW’s airbag light?
Could you please explain how to turn off the airbag light on my BMW X5? Every time I turn on my car, it has been coming on, and I have no idea how to turn it off. I’m hopeful that resetting the light will solve the problem.
In less than two minutes, find out if your auto insurance is being overcharged.
Unquestionably, resetting your airbag light is a solid first move. Observe these steps to reset the airbag light on your BMW X5:
- Upon starting your automobile, check to see if the airbag light is on.
- Then, after seven seconds, restart your vehicle.
- Two more times, repeat this procedure. Your airbag light ought to disappear.
It is advisable to have someone check over your car for you if the airbag light starts to illuminate once more. Given that sensors are frequently the subject of auto recalls, there may be an issue with the sensor or the airbag itself. The airbag will protect you and any passengers in the event of an accident.
The Jerry app makes sure you are prepared for the aftermath while airbag maintenance makes sure you are prepared for an accident.
The Jerry app, a registered broker that provides end-to-end support, compiles reasonable rates, assists you in switching plans, and even assists you in terminating your old policy.
What could activate the airbag light?
The airbag light will be on if your airbag has been deployed and has not been correctly reset. The light will turn on if the airbag hasn’t been deployed when the system detects that it can’t activate the airbag; this indicates that your car’s airbag system is having some sort of issue.
How do I activate the airbag light?
The airbag light connects the seat belt system and the airbag system as part of the Supplement Restraint System (SRS) in automobiles (and vice-versa). When you turn on your automobile, the airbag light comes on for around seven seconds before going out, signifying that the internal system check was successful and finished. When the airbag light either never turns on or stays on while blinking, an issue exists. The airbag light needs to be reset at this stage.
Examining seat belt components, fixing bad clock springs, and replacing faulty sensors are a few techniques for turning off an airbag light. New bulbs or a fully charged battery are other options. While most repairs can be done without a professional, others may.
The following 10 steps will reset your airbag light:
- Turn on and off your ignition.
- Test drive your car when it has been restarted.
- Check the airbag switch for the passenger.
- Check to see if the seat belts are in place and functioning properly.
- Check to see if the passenger seat sensor is off.
- Use a scanner with the ability to reset the SRS or airbag light.
- Fix the broken airbag sensors.
- Replace or repair a broken clock spring.
- Check to see if the airbag is working properly.
- seek for a specialist’s help.
Although not exhaustive, the list above includes tried-and-true methods for tackling the problem. Some of them might not apply to your vehicle because compatibility is always based on the year, make, and model. It is recommended that you have your service manual on hand when carrying out any of these fixes. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, too. Let’s get started on resetting your airbag light right away.
How critical is an airbag light?
When this light illuminates, a system issue has been found, and one or more airbags may not deploy in the event of a collision. Even while it’s feasible for all airbags to function as intended even with an SRS warning light, an airbag malfunction is a serious safety risk.
When the airbag light is on, can I still drive my car?
The spring is intended to preserve continuity between the wiring and the driver’s airbag and coils throughout your steering wheel. The spring may wear out and fail over time, turning on the airbag warning light. Older autos are more likely to have this flaw.
The important line is that you must stop driving as soon as your airbag light illuminates and have your automobile inspected by a repair as soon as possible. Your airbags won’t activate until the issue is identified and remedied. Never disregard your airbag light since your safety and the safety of your passengers are top priorities.
Dashboard Warning Lights Explained, which offers guidance on a variety of lights and their meanings, is a good resource if you want to learn what additional warning lights represent and what to do when they illuminate.
Can an airbag light be caused by a low battery?
The backup battery is dead. It is the most frequent cause of an airbag light that won’t go off. It might take place if your car’s battery is running low or has been depleted for any other cause. When the battery is fully recharged, the issue will be resolved.
How much does a BMW airbag repair cost?
Best in Automotive Repair Replacement air bag control modules for the BMW 328i typically cost between $996 and $1,067. While parts are priced at $724, labor expenses are predicted to range between $272 and $343. Taxes and levies are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or special location taken into account.
Can a blown fuse turn on the airbag light?
Only if the blown fuse is directly connected to the airbag system may it cause the airbag light to turn on and off. Although this is the primary reason for this light, other problems can cause an airbag light to suddenly come on.
The airbag system can malfunction, you can interfere with the seat belt sensor, there is a broken clock spring, there is damaged cabling under the seat, the computer system receives incorrect data, or the sensor was damaged in an accident, which can cause the light to turn on and off.
When do BMW airbags expire?
Most airbags do not generally need to be replaced since they do not deteriorate. They will endure for the duration of your car. Additionally, it means that the majority of choices on used Toyota HiAce vans for sale still include airbags.
Airbags should be replaced after 10 to 15 years, according to stickers that used to be attached to cars by the manufacturers. For contemporary automobiles, nevertheless, such is no longer the case. Airbags, like other crucial components, may endure the entire life of the car. Airbags do not have expiration dates, unlike heavy powertrain components and door latches.
What does it cost to repair the airbag light?
Reset Airbag Light, at No. 1 Although it typically costs a few hundred dollars and takes several hours, depending on the type of automobile it might cost as much as $600.
Which BMW models are having their airbags recalled?
According to Roadshow, 7,910 vehicles, or the 328is and 323i models from 1999, were affected by the faulty airbag issues in 2019. The 1999-2001 3 Series was one of the additional models. A total of 74,000 vehicles were impacted, of which 34,000 were 3 Series coupes from 1999 to 2000. Additionally, it’s possible that some of the 74,000 vehicles that had their airbags replaced during the previous recall still have these faulty ones.
In the early stages of the recall, Takata thought that replacing the outdated, lethal inflators would be the best course of action. On other car models, the problematic ones were replaced with new ones that had the same same chemical and design. Naturally, this didn’t work, and the explosive propellers were subsequently modified to protect airbags for a longer period of time.
Some automakers have suffered losses and chosen to purchase airbag inflators from other suppliers as a result of the flaws made by these manufacturers. Takata’s reputation suffered as a result, the company failed, and in 2018 Joysen Safety Systems acquired it.
How can an airbag malfunction be detected?
Your automobile will alert you by turning on or flashing the dashboard or computer display airbag warning light. This light indicates that your airbags are deactivated while it is on. It implies that if you have an accident, they won’t deploy correctly.
What does airbag repair cost?
The cost of replacing an airbag can be significantly more than the airbag itself. They take a long time to replace, and the cost of replacing all the linked parts adds up quickly.
Expect to pay, on average, between $1,000 and $1,500 for each replacement airbag. Just the airbags themselves are included; other parts that require replacement are not. A replacement airbag module will cost an additional $600 and above.
Therefore, if your driver’s and passenger’s front airbags have deployed as a result of a frontal collision, you should budget about $3,000 to repair your airbag system. Getting your car roadworthy goes above and beyond bodywork! Is it cheaper to sell your car instead of paying these expenditures to fix it?
Of course, the overall cost of repair for replacing your airbags and/or your instrument panel may vary based on the year, make, and model of your car. As an illustration, the cost to repair the driver-side airbags on a Ford F150 ranges from $200 to $700. The cost of replacing the side passenger airbags in a Honda Civic ranges from $400 to $1,000. Depending on the manufacturer, cars like BMW, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, and others may be expensive or affordable.