Lexus Airbag Light Stay On, Meaning, Common Problems

If you own a Lexus and have noticed the airbag light on, you may be wondering what the cause could be and what you can do to fix it. So in this article, we’re here to help you troubleshoot the problem and how to fix it. The airbag or supplemental restraint system is a safety feature of your Lexus vehicle that protects occupants in the event of a car crash.

What does the Airbag / SRS light mean on a Lexus?

The airbag/srs warning light alerts the driver indicating a malfunction in the system and could cause the airbags not to deploy when an accident happens or could deploy randomly, which can be dangerous to the vehicle’s occupants. These warning lights can be diagnosed by using an airbag scanner.

Can You Drive Your Lexus with Airbag Light On?

Even though the vehicle will run and drive, driving your Lexus with the airbag/SRS light on is not recommended because it could cause serious injuries to the occupants when a collision happens. This airbag light should not be ignored and should be fixed immediately.

Symptoms

• The airbag/SRS warning light on the dashboard: The warning light indicates that the airbag system is malfunctioning.
• An audible warning sound: In some Lexus models, an audible warning sound may also be emitted when the airbag/SRS light turns on. This sound may be a beep or a chime intended to alert the driver to the problem with the airbag system.
• Airbags not deploying: If the airbag system is malfunctioning, one or more airbags won’t deploy in the event of a collision.
• Difficulty passing state inspections: A vehicle with an airbag/SRS warning light will not pass inspection in some states. This can result in fines or legal consequences if the issue is not addressed promptly.
• Horn/Cruise Control not working: One possible cause of why the airbag light illuminates is a bad clock spring which also affects the horn, cruise control, or steering wheel buttons not to function properly.
• Airbag Light Flashing: The flashing airbag light means a fault code on the airbag module.
• Check the SRS Airbag System warning on the dashboard.

Common Causes

The most common problem that triggers the airbag light on a Lexus if failure is clock spring failure. Other problems such as damaged wiring, faulty crash sensor, defective passenger weight sensor, and even low battery voltage can trigger the airbag or SRS light to stay on.

Faulty/Defective Crash or Impact Sensors

The crash/impact sensors are the one that detects if a car collision/crash has happened. This sensor will signal the srs module, activating or deactivating the airbags from deploying. Possible causes of why these sensors fail are because of corrosion, getting worn out due to repeatedly removing for front car repairs, and due to old age. Sensor malfunctions can be easily diagnosed using a scanner that can read codes on the Lexus airbag system.

Weak or Dead Battery

The Lexus airbag system has a backup battery that can provide power even with a weak battery. Still, once the voltage drops below 9.5V, it can cause the airbag light to come on, meaning it does not already have sufficient power to run the system. So before fixing the problem, ensure that your vehicle’s battery is fully charged, and replacing it would resolve the airbag light on your vehicle. With the engine off, the voltage of your battery should be 12-12.6 volts (this is called the resting voltage).

Faulty Clock Spring

The clock spring of your Lexus is the one that keeps the connection between the airbag control module and the steering wheel airbag. So once the clock spring goes bad, it will trigger the airbag light to come on. The clock spring is a circular connector that keeps connection even when turning the steering wheel without breaking. You can check the clock spring by removing the steering wheel and using a multimeter once it is removed from the vehicle. Do not probe or test airbags with a multimeter. Before you remove the steering wheel airbag, we recommend disconnecting the negative terminal first, waiting 15 minutes, and pressing the horn a few times to drain stored power to prevent the airbag from deploying.

Faulty Airbag Control Module

The airbag/SRS control module is one of the main components of the airbag system; this module controls the airbag deployment system. All the sensors are connected to this component sending information on whether it will disable or prevent the airbag from deploying. Diagnosing a bad SRS module won’t be difficult if you have a scanner that can run through the airbag system. Remember that the airbag control module should be reset once it deploys the airbag from a car crash. Possible causes why the airbag control module malfunction is because of water damage or its connectors being worn or damaged.

Occupancy Passenger Sensor

The occupancy passenger sensor is a weight detector that sends information to the SRS module, whether a child or adult is seated in the passenger seat. Once the SRS module receives the information, it will enable or disable the airbag from the passenger seat, depending on who is seated. If it detects a child, it will disable the airbag because airbags are dangerous and can cause serious injuries to the child. By using an airbag scanner, the fault code will tell you that this sensor is malfunctioning.

Deployed/Damaged Seat Belt Pre-tensioner

The seat belt pre-tensioner is a safety feature that keeps the occupants in place when a car crash happens because it tightens the seat belts to prevent the occupants from hitting the vehicle’s interior. If the seat belt pre-tensioner is deployed or damaged, it will trigger the airbag light to illuminate. To check if you have a deployed pre-tensioner, you will notice the seat belts won’t retract or retract slowly, and in some cases, they can also lock themselves.

Lose, Corroded, or Damaged Wiring

The airbag/SRS system contains a lot of wiring that keeps the airbags, sensors, and modules working together. If one of these wirings is damaged, it will cause the airbag light to come on. Bad wiring can be difficult to find, but if you have a full system scanner, it would be easier because it can cause a sensor/airbag/srs module to malfunction, which the scanner can detect. After you find out the component that is malfunctioning, inspect the wirings of it. Wirings can wear out over time due to age, heat, physical damage, corrosion, etc.

Blown Airbag

A blown airbag can cause the warning light to come on because airbags are for one-time use and should be replaced immediately after deployment. The srs module will activate an electric signal which activates a chemical reaction for the airbag to inflate; this will happen in just a few milliseconds. To diagnose a deployed airbag, you would need a scanner to run through the airbag system of your Lexus.

How to Reset Lexus Airbag/SRS Warning Light without a Scanner?

While this may be effective, it is not permanent and may come soon. We recommend addressing the issue properly as soon as possible.

1. Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to the on position (do not start the engine)
2. Once the airbag light comes on, wait for 7 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the off position.
4. Repeat procedures 1-3 several times.

If this procedure doesn’t work, you will need a scanner to reset the airbag light on your Lexus.

How to Reset Lexus Airbag / SRS Warning Light?

The airbag light on a Lexus can come on for several reasons, including a dead battery, a faulty sensor, a bad clock spring, etc. To find out, you need to read the codes with a scanner that can read the airbag module, such as 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

Fault Codes

Lexus airbag/SRS warning light fault codes can be read using a diagnostic scanner or code reader. These are some common Lexus airbag/SRS warning light fault codes include:

• B1000: Engine Control Unit Malfunction
• B1003: Airbag/SRS Control Module Malfunction
• B1018: Front Passenger Side -Impact Sensor Malfunction
• B1100: Front Airbag Sensor Malfunction
• B1650: Occupant Classification System Malfunction
• B1800: Open in Driver’s Side Airbag Module Squib Circuit
• B1801: Open in Passenger Side Airbag Module Squib Circuit
• B1806: Open in Driver’s Side Squib Circuit of Seat Belt Pre-Tensioner
• B1807: Open in Passenger Side Squib Circuit of Seat Belt Pre-Tensioner

Applicable Models

All Lexus models have an Airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).

• Lexus ES
• Lexus IS
• Lexus LS
• Lexus GS
• Lexus GX
• Lexus LX
• Lexus NX
• Lexus RX
• Lexus UX