How To Fix A Volvo Airbag Warning Light

You look at your dash and… what's this? Your Volvo airbag warning light is on! Now what?

Here, we'll explore some tips as to what to do when the warning light tries to spoil your day. Possibly the most important thing to keep in mind here is this: Some people absolutely love to work on their cars themselves. They have all the tools they need, like jack stands or ramps, and the know-how. Others would just as soon take their vehicle to a certified technician whenever there is a problem - be it something as simple as wiper blades or as complicated as a transmission.

When it comes to resetting your airbag warning light, something called an "OBD-ll Scanner" will be used. This isn't something people usually have sitting around. If it isn't an instrument you're willing to borrow or invest in, your best bet is to just bring your vehicle to Volvo Cars Manhattan and let our technicians figure out what the problem is.

Better to be safe than sorry, particularly when dealing with something as essential as an airbag. In the meantime, let's troubleshoot that air bag light.

Common Issues

The SRS system in your Volvo (supplemental restraint system) involves your airbags. When malfunctions occur, they can frequently be caused by one of several things:

• Dead battery
• Low battery voltage
• Issues with the SRS control unit
• Damaged clock spring

… or, without disconnecting the battery, you worked on the electrical system. If this was the cause of your airbag warning light malfunction, next time you work on the electrical system of your car, make sure you disconnect the battery first.

In this case, to clear the airbag modules fault code, you need a specific "Volvo OBD=ll Scanner", not a generic one. Directions on how to do this can be found by clicking on the Reset SRS page. You will also find airbag warning light "codes" on this page. By reading the code, you'll have a better idea of what's going on.

Additional Problems - Fix It Yourself or Not?

Here are a number of issues that could be causing your airbag light to come on, and what the fix might entail: i.e., do-it-yourself or certified technician.

• SIPS (side-impact protection system) unit failure - This unit may need to be replaced if it is deemed faulty (technician)
• You may need to update your SRS software (technician)
• SRS module failure (not common)
• Problem with seatbelt buckle sensor (test the switches with a multimeter)
• Seat OWS (occupant weight sensor) is faulty (it might just be unplugged, or it might be damaged)
• Your battery is dead (try charging your battery or replacing it)
• If your vehicle was in an accident, even a minor one can cause the light to come on. (This is going to call for a technician in no uncertain terms. It could involve the SRS module, seatbelt, airbag tensioners, and more.)

Volvo Cars Manhattan Can Diagnose and Fix Your Volvo Airbag Warning Light

At Volvo Cars Manhattan, we pride ourselves on defining luxury for Manhattan and surrounding areas.

Whether you're looking for a new vehicle or a preowned automobile, we are here for you. When you need service on your Volvo - be it regularly scheduled preventative maintenance or a needed repair - our highly skilled, certified technicians stand ready to be of assistance.

You can contact our service department at 877-240-9548. To talk to someone in sales, call 888-248-0307. You can also use our convenient online form to get in touch.

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