GMC Airbag Light On: Symptoms, Causes, & Troubleshooting

Are you fed up with the GMC airbag light or service airbag being constantly on? It is important to take swift action when you observe the illuminated airbag warning on your GMC vehicle dashboard. Don’t ignore the issue if you want to ensure your safety and that of your passengers. This article will discuss the symptoms and causes of airbag lights to stay on and how to troubleshoot and fix the problem. By following this article, we can help you restore your airbag system’s functionality and ensure your safety on the road.

What does the airbag / SRS light mean on a GMC?

The airbag system or Self Restraint System (SRS) is a safety feature for every vehicle. The warning light means there’s a problem with the airbag system, which disables the airbags from deploying in the event of a car crash. It can be caused by a faulty clock spring, worn or torn wiring, faulty airbag control module deployed airbag, and many more, which will be discussed below. You must not disregard the airbag warning light and instead get it fixed promptly. Ignoring this crucial warning could result in severe injuries to both you and your passengers in the event of an accident. 

Can You Drive Your GMC with Airbag Light On?

Driving a GMC with the airbag light on is unsafe and not recommended. If the airbag system is not functioning properly, the airbags may not deploy correctly or at all, leading to the risk of serious injuries or even death to vehicle occupants. It is better to fix the problem as soon as possible before driving the vehicle again. The airbag warning light may not affect how your vehicle runs, but it will save you from serious injuries in the event of an accident.

Symptoms

When the airbag light is on in a GMC, it’s an indication that there is a fault in the airbag system. Some of the symptoms that may accompany the airbag light being on include:

• Airbag Light Illuminated : It indicates a problem with the airbag system.
• Airbag Light Flashing Intermittently : It indicates that the system detects a fault code or airbag module is not programmed.
• Horn or Cruise Control not Working : Faulty Clock Spring can cause the airbag light to illuminate and the horn/cruise control to not work. 
• The airbag Won’t Deploy or Will Deploy Randomly.
• The passenger airbag may not activate or may deactivate when a passenger is present .
• Dashboard warning lights may flicker, indicating a problem with the vehicle’s electrical system.
• The GMC’s diagnostic system may store a specific diagnostic trouble code (DTC) related to the airbag system.

Common Causes

The most common problem with why the airbag light stays on in GMC vehicles is the failure of the passenger occupancy weight sensor mounted on the front passenger seat, with the most common problem being the clock spring’s failure, which interrupts communication to the driver’s airbag. To find out exactly what is triggering the airbag light on your GMC truck or SUV, use the YOUCANIC full system scanner to read the fault codes from the airbag module. Let’s look at what can cause the airbag light to stay on in GMV vehicles.

Faulty/Defective Crash or Impact Sensors

Crash/impact sensors are the ones that signal the airbag control module to deploy airbags when a collision happens. Once these sensors malfunction, the airbag warning light will come on. The sensor and wiring wear out over time due to heat, age, and corrosion caused by moisture. Also, when replacing the front ends of the vehicle, sometimes the wires get bent or pinched, causing the wires to break. To troubleshoot the sensors, use an airbag scanner to point out what sensor needs to be replaced, and before replacing the sensor, we recommend inspecting the connectors and wirings.

Faulty Airbag Control Module

The Airbag Control Module is the system’s most important component because it controls the airbags and is connected to the sensors. The airbag module controls whether or not the airbags will deploy in the event of a collision. If the module malfunctions, the airbag light will illuminate. Some possible causes of the airbag module failure are damaged wiring, water damage, and improper installation.

The airbag module needs to be reset when the airbags have been deployed. If major issues occur on the module, resetting it is not a solution; it should be replaced with a new one. You’ll need a scanner that can run through the airbag system to diagnose a faulty airbag module and an airbag module expert to guide you if you need to reset or replace the module.

Faulty Clock Spring

The clock spring is a rotating electrical connector that connects the airbag system’s wiring harness to the steering wheel, allowing the steering wheel to turn while maintaining a connection to the system. If the clock spring is faulty, it may cause an interruption in the connection between the steering wheel airbag and the airbag control module, leading to the airbag / SRS Light being illuminated. A faulty clock spring could also result in the airbag system’s horn, cruise control, or other steering wheel-mounted controls malfunctioning. To check if the clock spring is already bad, you can use a multimeter to check the connectors and see if there’s still voltage passing on the system. We recommend disconnecting the negative battery first and pressing the horn a few times before working on your vehicle’s airbag. This process will drain stored voltage on the airbag system, preventing the airbags from deploying randomly when working on them. Never probe the airbags or airbag wires themselves with a multimeter.

Weak or Dead Battery

The airbag system’s components require a stable and adequate power supply above 11 volts to function correctly, and a weak or dead battery can lead to the system malfunctioning. A weak or dead battery can cause the airbag control module to lose power and reset, leading to the airbag / SRS Light staying on. The diagnostic system will store a specific diagnostic trouble code (DTC) related to the battery issue, which can be retrieved using a diagnostic tool, or you can also check the battery using a voltmeter. A weak battery can also cause other dashboard warning lights to come on.

Occupancy Passenger Sensor

The occupancy passenger sensor is responsible for detecting whether a passenger is present in the front passenger seat and, if so, whether the passenger is an adult or a child. Based on this information, the airbag control module determines whether to deploy the passenger airbag and, if so, with what level of force. If the occupancy passenger sensor is faulty, it may not detect a passenger or may detect an incorrect type of passenger, leading to the airbag / SRS light being on. This could indicate that the system cannot function properly, and the airbags may not deploy or deploy with incorrect force in the event of an accident. The diagnostic system will store a specific diagnostic trouble code (DTC) related to the faulty sensor, which can be retrieved using an airbag diagnostic tool .

Deployed Seat Belt Pre-tensioner

The seat belt pre-tensioner is a component of the airbag system that tightens the seat belt during a collision, reducing the occupant’s forward movement and minimizing the risk of injury. If the seat belt pre-tensioner has deployed, it may cause the Airbag / SRS Light to stay on. This could indicate that the system cannot function properly, and the airbags may not deploy or deploy with incorrect force in the event of an accident. The diagnostic system will store a specific diagnostic trouble code (DTC) related to the deployed pre-tensioner, which can be retrieved using a diagnostic tool .

Blown Airbag

The airbag is a critical safety component designed to protect vehicle occupants in the event of a collision. If the airbag has deployed, it may cause the Airbag / SRS Light to stay on. A blown airbag typically occurs after a collision, indicating that the airbag has performed its intended function. Once an airbag has deployed, it needs to be replaced as it can no longer offer any protection in the event of a subsequent collision. The diagnostic system will store a specific diagnostic trouble code (DTC) related to the blown airbag, which can be retrieved using a diagnostic tool . The airbags are for one-time use and should be replaced immediately. After an accident where the airbags deply, the airbag control module needs to be replaced or reset by specialists to clear the hard crash data.

Lose, Corroded, or Damaged Wiring

The airbag system’s wiring harnesses transmit electrical signals between the sensors, control module, and airbags. If the wiring is loose, disconnected, corroded, or damaged, it may cause the Airbag / SRS Light to stay on. This can cause an interruption in the signal, leading to communication errors between the airbag system components. The airbag control module will store a fault code related to the wiring issue, which can be retrieved using a diagnostic tool . Some of the causes of wiring breaking down are rodent damage (where animals chew on the wiring), wiring getting pinched or bent, excessive heat, abrasion, and more.

How to Reset GMC Airbag Light without a Scanner?

1. Turn the ignition switch to the on position or Press the push start button to the on position without starting the vehicle.
2. Wait for 10-15 seconds and turn the ignition switch to the off position.
3. Do steps 1 and 2 for 2-3 cycles. The reset is successful if the airbag light turns off after a few seconds.
4. If the airbag light does not turn off, drive the vehicle for 5-10 minutes.

If resetting the airbag light does not work, you will need an airbag scanner to read the fault code. Then after reading the fault code, you will need to resolve the issue and clear the stored code using the scanner.

How to Reset GMC Airbag Warning Light with a Scanner?

The airbag light on a GMC can come on for several reasons, including a bad clock spring, a faulty sensor (weight/crash sensor), a weak/dead battery, a faulty airbag control module, a blown airbag, etc. To find out, you need to read the codes with a scanner that can read the airbag module, such as a YOUCANIC full system scanner . Then, fix the underlying issue and clear the codes outlined in the section below. 

1. Locate the OBD-II port under the dashboard and plug in your adapter.
2. Power on the Youcanic scanner: Press the power button until the device turns on.
3. Go to the ‘Diagnose’ option: On the scanner’s main menu, select the ‘Diagnose’ option.
4. Select the Vehicle Make: You will see a list of vehicle makes. Scroll through the list until you find your vehicle’s make, then select it.
5. Select ‘Control Units’: The next screen will display different options after selecting the make.
6. Find and select the ‘Control Units’ option.
7. Select ‘Airbag/SRS Control Unit’: The next screen will show a list of various control units.
8. Scroll down until you select the ‘Airbag/SRS Control Unit’.
9. Read or Clear codes: Here, you can ‘Read codes’ or ‘Clear codes.’ To read the airbag codes, select ‘Read codes.’ The scanner will then display any stored airbag codes.
10. To clear the airbag codes, select ‘Clear codes.’ Follow any prompts that appear to clear the codes. Please note only clear codes after the problem has been fixed. Clearing the codes without fixing the problem may cause the codes to reappear.

Frequently Asked Questions