Symptom

Warning Light

Possible Issue

Action to Take

Air bag light or SRS light in your dash comes on and stays on.

Various.  Defective air bag, defective seatbelt, missing air bag, defective sensors, etc.

Get car inspected immediately to evaluate air bag and SRS component states.

Your power locks, windows, etc. don't work or don't work consistently.

• Your dashboard looks fine
• You don't see exposed wiring
• You may have a bad smell in your car
• You may notice moisture in your car

None

Wiring damage, loose connector

Have trusted technician perform electrical trouble-shooting estimate.

You should receive an itemized estimate to enable targeted repair.

If you have a bad smell you may rodent damage.  Reference animal damage below.

Be wary of technicians that guess their way around the problem.  You pay for a trouble-shooting estimate.  You should get an itemized plan of action.

Your car was broken into.

You have:

• Damage to the dashboard
• Missing stereo
• Damage to the steering column
• Wiring exposed

None

Wiring damage, possbile damage to air bags, seatbelt electronics, SRS sensors, air bag connectors, crash sensors

Get the car inspected and repaired by a technician with SRS and airbag experience -  the dash contains coordinated electronics and theft damage may compromise the entire safety system. 

Get a written guarantee the air bags and SRS components are in place and functioning as designed.  Air bags are a high value theft item.

You were in an accident.

• No air bags deployed.
• Front, rear or side impact.

Multiple

In addition to structural damage, you could have damage to air bag sensors, SRS sensors and wiring damage.

Get a written guarentee that the air bags, seatbelts and associated electronics are in place and functioning as designed.

Get an itemized estimate the damage either directly or through your insurance company.

You were in an accident.

• Air bags deployed
• Your insurance company is handling the repair

Air bag system is compromised and must be repaired.  Air bags are a single use item.

Air bag fraud or low-cost or inexperienced repars are a risk. 

Get a written guarentee that your air bags and SRS components are in place and functioning as designed.

Make sure you have the VIN number for the new or replacement airbags installed in your vehicle.  The VIN should be listed on your invoice.

Ask the collision shop handling your repair how many air bag and SRS components they have replaced on your make, model and year of car.  Ask if they do in-house diagnostics on your make, model, year of car.

If the repair shop doesn't have the experience to handle your make, model, year of car, contact your claims representative and request the work be done by an outside expert.  It's your safety and you have a right to control your repair.

• Air bags deployed
• You are handling the repair

Air bag system is compromised and must be repaired.  Air bags are a single use item.

Air bags and some other components of the SRS contain Class-3 explosives.  We do not recommend servicing these componets yourself as serious injury or even death are a risk.

Air bag fraud or low-cost or inexperienced repars are a risk. 

If you use a general mechanic, ask for experience repairing airbag and SRS components for your make, model, year of car.  Ask if they do in-house diagnostics on your make, model, year of car.

Get a written guarantee that your air bags and SRS components are in place and functioning as designed.

Make sure you have the VIN number for the new or replacement air bags in your vehicle.  The VIN number should be listed on your invoice.