Volkswagen Airbag Light On: Common Causes
Has the airbag warning light come on while you are driving your Volkswagen? Are you worried about how much it might cost to get it fixed? Worry not! We are here to help you troubleshoot the airbag light and guide you through how to repair it. In this article, we will discuss the common symptoms & causes, their meaning, and how to fix the problem. There are a lot of possible causes for the airbag light to come on, including faulty clock springs, damaged wirings, and defective SRS modules.
What does the Airbag or SRS light mean on a Volkswagen?
When the airbag system detects a fault, it will turn on the warning light to alert the driver that the system is not functioning properly. The airbag system is a safety feature of your Volkswagen, which protects the driver during a collision or crash. If the airbag system malfunctions, it can cause one or more airbags not to deploy in the event of a car crash, which can be dangerous.
Can You Drive Your Volkswagen with Airbag / SRS Light On?
The airbag light won’t affect your Volkswagen’s driving condition, but it will affect your safety; therefore, driving with the airbag light on is not recommended. The airbags are a safety feature that protects the occupants during a crash, preventing serious injuries and even death. Hence, we recommend fixing the problem immediately before driving your vehicle again.
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Symptoms
When the airbag or SRS warning light turns on, it can be concerning, and below, we have listed the most common symptoms that you may encounter:
- Warning Light: The Airbag or SRS warning light will turn on and remain illuminated until the issue is resolved.
- Non-Airbag Deployment: If the airbag warning light is on, it may indicate that the airbags will not deploy in the event of a collision.
- Intermittent Warning Light: The warning light may turn on and off intermittently, indicating a loose connection or faulty sensor.
- Audio Alert: Some Volkswagen models have an audio alert that will sound when the airbag warning light turns on.
- Inoperative Seat Belts: If the warning light is on, it may indicate that the seat belts are malfunctioning.
- Horn/Cruise Control Not Working: In some cases, the horn may not work if there is an issue with the airbag system, especially when the clock spring is causing the system to malfunction.
Common Causes
Faulty/Defective Crash Sensors
Crash or impact sensors detect a collision or car crash and then signal the SRS module for airbag deployment; the sensor will just take milliseconds to signal the SRS module. The sensors are located on the front and sides of the vehicle; these can wear out over time due to corrosion, physical damage, or high temperatures. To diagnose a malfunctioning sensor, you will need a scanner that can run through your Volkswagen’s airbag system.
Weak or Dead Battery
A weak or dead battery can trigger warning lights, including the airbag light, because each vehicle’s system needs a specific amount of power to function properly. The airbag system has a backup battery and will still provide power, but once the backup battery drains, it will trigger the airbag light to come on. To fix this problem, you must replace or recharge the main battery so that the airbag backup battery can recharge.
Faulty Clock Spring
The clock spring is a circular connector that keeps the steering wheel connected to the vehicle. It allows the steering wheel to rotate while connecting the airbag, horn, cruise control, and steering wheel buttons to the vehicle’s electrical system. Once the clock spring malfunctions, the airbag light will come on, and the horn & cruise control will not work. Before replacing the clock spring, we recommend disconnecting the battery’s negative terminal and pressing the horn a few times to discharge the stored power on the steering wheel.
Faulty Airbag Control Module
The airbag control module is responsible for deploying airbags during a collision. The most common causes of malfunctions in the airbag control module are water and electrical damage. If an airbag deployment happens, you must reset the SRS module to restore it to its working condition. To diagnose a faulty airbag control module, you must run a full system scan to read the fault code on your Volkswagen. The airbag control module can be located on the vehicle’s center console, below the driver’s seat, or on the dashboard.
Defective Occupancy Passenger Sensor
The occupancy passenger sensor (weight sensor) is responsible for detecting the person’s weight on the passenger seat and then sending the information to the SRS module to decide whether it will enable or disable the airbags for deployment; the weight sensor can wear out over time due to corrosion, physical, and electrical damage. To diagnose a faulty weight sensor, you will need a scanner to read fault codes on your vehicle. The sensor can be located beneath the passenger seat.
Deployed/Damaged Seat Belt Pre-tensioner
The seat belt pre-tensioner is designed to tighten the seat belts during a car crash. It is responsible for keeping the occupants in their seats and reducing the forward motion in the event of a collision. Once the seat belt pre-tensioner deploys, you will need to repair or repair it to set it to function again properly. The most common symptom you may encounter when the pre-tensioner has been deployed is the seat belt gets locked, does not retract, or slowly retracts.
Lose, Corroded, or Damaged Wiring
The airbag system is connected with wiring, allowing the sensors, airbags, and SRS module to exchange information. The most common problems with wiring tears are age, high temperature, abrasion, and excessive bending, causing the wires to break. Locating the damaged wiring can be difficult and could take time, but If you have a scanner, you can use it to locate what component is malfunctioning and inspect its wiring.
Blown Airbag
The airbags inflate in the event of a car crash to prevent the occupants from hitting the hard parts of the vehicle. The airbags are for one-time use and should be replaced once deployed. To diagnose a blown airbag, you must run a full-system scanner to read the fault code stored on your vehicle. It is recommended that you send your vehicle to the dealership or licensed technician for airbag replacement.
How do you reset the Volkswagen Airbag / SRS Warning Light?
The airbag light on a Volkswagen can come on for several reasons, including a faulty sensor, a bad clock spring, a blown airbag, etc. To determine what is wrong, you must read the codes with a scanner that can read the airbag module, such as the YOUCANIC full system scanner. Then, fix the underlying issue and clear the codes outlined in the section below.
Common Fault Codes
Several fault codes may be associated with the airbag warning light in a Volkswagen, which can provide information about the underlying issue causing the light to turn on. Some common airbag fault codes in Volkswagen vehicles include:
- Code 01217: Side airbag igniter – driver side (N199) resistance too high/short circuit to plus
- Code 01218: Side airbag igniter – passenger side (N200) resistance too high/short circuit to plus
- Code 01219: Side airbag igniter – driver side (N199) resistance too low/short circuit to ground
- Code 01220: Side airbag igniter – passenger side (N200) resistance too low/short circuit to ground
- Code 01221: Front airbag igniter – driver side (N95) resistance too high/short circuit to plus
- Code 01222: Front airbag igniter – passenger side (N131) resistance too high/short circuit to plus
- Code 01223: Front airbag igniter – driver side (N95) resistance too low/short circuit to ground
- Code 01224: Front airbag igniter – passenger side (N131) resistance too low/short circuit to ground
This is only a partial list of fault codes that can trigger the airbag / SRS light on Volkswagen vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does it Cost to Fix Volkswagen Airbag Warning Light?
Fixing the Volkswagen airbag light will depend on the underlying issue, and it can cost around a hundred to thousand dollars. Below is a list of estimated prices for airbag light repairs; prices may vary depending on your vehicle’s make and model.
SRS Module Replacement – $600-800
Airbag Control Module Reset – $50-200
Clock Spring Replacement – $300-500
Occupancy Passenger Sensor Replacement – $100-250
Crash Sensor Replacement – $200-400
Airbag Replacement – $600-800 (per bag)
Seat Belt Pre-Tensioner Repair/Replace – $100-200
Wiring Repair – $50-250
Should I Send the Airbag Module for Reset or Buy a Used One?
Depending on the underlying issue, deciding whether to send your SRS airbag control module for reset or replace it with a used one can be a possible solution. Resetting the SRS module can take less time and is cheaper rather than replacing it with a used one because when you’re replacing the SRS module, you will need to program it first before installing it to your vehicle, which will take more time. But if major issues occur on your SRS module, replacing it is better than doing a reset because it might not fix the underlying issue.
Can I Reset the Airbag Light without a Scanner?
It is not recommended to reset the airbag light without a scanner because it can be complicated and should be addressed properly using a scanner. Also, it is not a permanent solution, and the warning light will still come on in the future.
Can I Reset the Airbag Light by Disconnecting the Battery?
Disconnecting the battery is not recommended to reset the airbag light because the warning light will turn back on even if it is effective. After all, the issue has not been resolved. Additionally, disconnecting the battery can also reset other settings and systems in the vehicle, such as the radio presets and clock.
Can a Blown Fuse Cause an Airbag to Light On?
Yes, because fuses are an important component of the airbag’s electrical system, the fuse is designed to protect and prevent the electrical system from overloading or short circuits, which can be dangerous to other components of the airbag system. However, this is not a common issue on Volkswagen vehicles.
